Dive Brief:
- Virtual student unions have offered communities of remote students a place to connect and bond over shared experiences, though not all colleges see them as good fits.
- University Business reports that Northern Virginia Community College and Alabama’s Troy University have seen greater student interest than expected in virtual unions that offer career centers, forums, articles, tutoring services, and giveaways.
- The University of Wisconsin, however, doesn’t think its mostly adult population of distance learners needs a unique online gathering place outside of the channels already provided by social media and students’ existing social networks.
Dive Insight:
Researchers point to student engagement as a key factor in retention and success. Opportunities for engagement outside of class is minimal for online students, who learn far away from campus activities, extracurriculars, clubs, and other groups.
The University of Wisconsin example shows the importance of responding to the needs of individual student populations. In the case of Troy University, 19,000 students registered in just one year. The university’s “Trojan Cafe” has only been around since 2014, but administrators should have data to gauge measurable impact soon enough.