#4sqOnCampus: WKU students check in on campus – let the mayorship battles begin!

Ever since we rolled out foursquare for Universities 2.0, we’ve heard from student affairs teams across the country about foursquare’s impact on their campuses.

With so many amazing stories coming in, we want to start sharing some of the highlights on a regular basis, starting with Western Kentucky University, a public university with over twenty thousand students that used foursquare to connect with their incoming freshman during orientation week.

Foursquare for the Class of 2015
This year, WKU had a record number of students following them on social media (over 1400!) before their one-week “MASTER Plan” freshmen orientation had even begun. The week allows students to move in early, get to know each other, and participate in special events around campus. WKU decided to launch their first foursquare initiative for the incoming Class of 2015 (2,200 of whom had signed up to attend orientation week).

The Plan

• WKU printed 1000 of their first-ever official “WKU Class of” shirts for the 2015 class, and included QR codes on the back linking to the WKU foursquare page.
• A check-in station was set up on campus where students could create their foursquare profiles, follow WKU, and get a free shirt.
• WKU promoted the giveaway online, on printed banners and fliers, and digital signage around campus.

The Results

• Over three days, over 800 students visited the check-in tent and followed WKU on foursquare, giving them access to tons of university recommendations and campus info.
• WKU’s orientation week got great local news coverage.

“The students that are coming in today are used to having a customized [experiences],” said Corie Martin, who is in charge of WKU’s web presences. “We have the ability to start customizing their experiences before they even get here.”

Keeping foursquare on campus
WKU is continuing to use foursquare beyond orientation, creating campus tours and dining specials, working with local merchants to create specials for students, and adding student mayorship contests to their year-long plans.

With foursquare, universities can help students explore their campus by sharing school traditions, information about classes and building hours, and insider tips. Campus badges for late nights at the library and attendance at sports games add fun to everyday activities, and partnerships with local businesses and campus services give students the opportunity to get discounts and perks (what starving student doesn’t love a deal?).

The best part about bringing foursquare to your campus is that it’s completely free. Inspired? Check out the WKU foursquare Page or see how other universities are doing it.