Recommendations

 

After a thorough analysis of the Miron Student Center's operations, processes, and supporting information systems, several opportunities for improvement have emerged. While the MSC successfully supports student life and campus events, certain limitations in its systems and processes restrict its ability to scale, adapt, and provide a more streamlined and engaging experience for users. This section offers a set of strategic recommendations that aim to correct inefficiencies, enhance user satisfaction, and strengthen the center’s role in student engagement and campus culture.

 

Identifying Key Issues and Areas for Improvement

One significant area for improvement is the Room Reservation System, which although functional, lacks real-time visibility, mobile responsiveness, and intuitive design. Users often experience delays in processing, confusion over availability, and a lack of notifications for updates or changes. Additionally, the current system requires navigating KeanWise—a platform that many students primarily use for academic functions, not event coordination. This reduces engagement and accessibility, particularly for newer students or club leaders unfamiliar with campus systems.

On the dynamic side, Student Event Marketing, while effective on Instagram, depends heavily on manual effort and lacks a central content management system (CMS) or data tracking interface. There is no consolidated calendar that displays upcoming events in one place, nor a system for students to “RSVP” or receive reminders. Engagement depends heavily on who sees what on their social feeds, which means many events may be overlooked due to algorithm limitations. Lastly, there is no analytics dashboard that student workers or administrators can use to track campaign performance in an organized way.

 

 

Alternative Solutions

To address these issues, three alternative solutions were considered:

Upgrade the Existing KeanWise Reservation Module

This would involve improving the user interface, adding a live calendar view, and implementing real-time booking notifications. It would retain the current infrastructure while enhancing usability.

Create a Standalone Mobile App for the Student Center

A dedicated app could feature room booking, event calendars, mobile push notifications, interactive maps, and integration with Kean IDs. This would provide an all-in-one experience tailored specifically to student needs.

Adopt a Third-Party CMS & Analytics Tool for Marketing

Platforms such as Hootsuite or Later could be used to schedule posts, track engagement, and manage campaigns across social media channels. A shared Google Calendar could also help centralize event information across departments.

 

Evaluation of Alternatives

Option 1, while cost-effective and simple, would still rely on KeanWise's legacy system. Improvements would be constrained by existing architecture, and the updates may take time due to university-wide approval.

Option 2 is the most comprehensive but also the most expensive and time-consuming. Developing a mobile app would require collaboration with Kean IT and administrative approval. However, it offers long-term scalability and personalized features that align with how students consume digital services today.

Option 3 provides a relatively quick win. Using a third-party CMS would streamline content management and improve analytics. Combined with a centralized calendar (Google Calendar or Outlook integration), it would significantly improve student awareness and engagement with less institutional red tape.

 

Final Recommendation

The best path forward is a hybrid approach, combining Option 1 and Option 3 as short-term solutions, while gradually pursuing Option 2 as a long-term innovation strategy. In the short term, Kean should invest in enhancing the KeanWise reservation interface with a live calendar and push notifications. At the same time, the MSC team should adopt a CMS platform to better manage and analyze social media content while launching a centralized digital calendar that syncs across student email, the Kean website, and digital signage in the building.

In the long term, the Student Center should advocate for the development of a Kean Student Life mobile app that integrates booking, event discovery, and social engagement into one platform. This would not only improve operational efficiency but also boost student involvement, satisfaction, and loyalty—providing a meaningful competitive advantage in campus services.