“Where can I eat now?” “What events are happening on campus now?” “What assignment should I work on now?” “What classes do I have now?”
To help students answer all of these questions and more with just a few taps, Syracuse University recently launched a standout new mobile app. Available on the App Store and Google Play, the OrangeNow app was developed directly in response to student feedback and brings together many of the essential tools, resources and platforms that contribute to a successful student experience on campus.
The app’s features include:
- Seamless integration with Blackboard to view class schedules, upcoming assignments, course announcements, and contact a student advisor;
- a comprehensive restaurant portal with menus, opening hours and real-time information on the occupancy of a restaurant or café before you go;
- easy access to the bus tracker, campus maps, student activity calendars, MySlice, the patient portal/wellness portal, and everything else you need to plan your day;
- and links to other important parts of student life: school/college websites, sports, news, ITS, libraries, SU mail, printing, parking and more.
The launch of OrangeNow represents an important step in the University’s ongoing digital transformation efforts, which aim to provide the University community with a world-class digital and technological experience.
Jeff Rubin ’95, G’98, the university’s first chief digital officer, longtime faculty member in the School of Information Studies and founder of SIDEARM Sports, the nation’s leading digital provider for collegiate sports, oversaw the development and implementation of OrangeNow in collaboration with Jeff Stoecker, senior vice president and chief communications officer.
Rubin says he’s excited for the campus community to use the app and that the iterative process will continue with the continued addition of future enhancements. While currently the primary audience is students, the app’s features will expand to reach a broader audience, including faculty and staff.
“Like most digital platforms, OrangeNow was designed to dynamically adapt and evolve to ensure we meet the needs of our users,” says Rubin. “While this is just the beginning, we are extremely proud of our student user experience. We are committed to continuing to add new features, integrate existing tools and technologies, and evaluate student needs and feedback to ensure this remains an integral part of Syracuse University’s technology landscape.”
“We heard from students that they wanted the functionality and portability of a mobile app dedicated to the many facets of life at Syracuse University,” says Stoecker. “OrangeNow is a vibrant, fully customizable and comprehensive answer to that need, bringing together many of the tools and platforms students already use in one central digital location. We really hope users find it valuable and that it helps students easily navigate a vibrant campus life.”
Members of the campus community are encouraged to download the app today from the App Store or Google Play! To share your thoughts, look for the “Feedback & Support” button on the app’s home screen. Are you liking it so far? Be sure to leave a five-star review wherever you downloaded it!
