‘How can we work more efficiently?’ This question, which was raised a couple of months ago at STU, has led to a website where students will soon be able to schedule their own appointments with the advisor or counselor of their choice. Students will also find the website contains information about which people they can turn to in the event of various issues arising. For the time being, they can make an appointment with a study management advisor, a student counselor, a student psychologist or with an advisor from the CareerCenter.

“Especially during periods when students are enrolling in courses, it can get extremely busy at the front desk," says project leader Linda Audenaerd. "Until now students wanting advice or guidance have dropped by or called us, but we still had to see when an advisor would be available. If students schedule an appointment themselves, it means less work for us and the waiting time of students who have come for other matters is reduced. And, no less important, for students it becomes less daunting to make an appointment. They can make the arrangements from home.”

It has taken a couple of months to build the website. “Security was a particularly important issue for us," says Audenaerd. "The intake form that students complete will contain personal details. We took the necessary time to make sure that this information is handled properly.”

During the pilot only STU appointments will be scheduled, and an evaluation will follow. The initiative may be rolled out in the departments at a later date.