With a click of the mouse to “One Stop” on Rider University’s home page, students are provided a myriad of services. One Stop is designed to meet their needs in a more efficient, convenient way.

It is also an ongoing initiative which Rider University has been moving closer toward campus-wide. One of the major components of the program, Enrollment Clearance, a process designed to help students navigate through issues relating to administrative offices, was introduced during the first two weeks of the fall semester. Students and their parents were able to have a multitude of questions answered along with a host of other concerns from central locations.

“Rider’s One Stop provides a more personal experience that is specific to each student’s diverse needs,” said Drew Aromando, chairperson of Rider’s One Stop Advisory Team and associate director of student financial services. “We are utilizing tools that deliver a more proactive cross functional approach to resolve issues before students need to bring them to our attention. As a result of the overall Enrollment Clearance process which began in June for both campuses, 36 percent more students were ready to begin their semester without delay,” said Aromando.

The Centralized Web Presence, which provides a virtual experience, is another major component that is in place as of this fall. “We are steadily making progress toward offering all services from a single point of contact,” said Aromando. “We want students to be able to complete all their administrative needs without having to search across campus or make repeated calls for information. This fall is only the beginning of what Rider One Stop will do for our students.”

The move toward the One Stop concept grew out of Strategic Plan initiatives designed to improve student services. A One Stop committee was formed, involving Drew Aromando, Theresa Hvisdock, Nancy Kennedy, Carol Kondrach, Dennis Levy, Anna Robbins, Sue Stefanick, Ron Walker, Jack Williams and Amanda Wright. They began by holding discovery sessions and researching national best practices. A resource group of students, faculty and staff, representing a wide cross-section of the Rider community, provided valuable suggestions and information to the committee.

“One Stop is an evolving process,” said Jamie O’Hara, vice president for enrollment management. “As we work to bring together the services that students need, we keep customer service in mind.”

Over the past year, student sessions were held as were external consultant interviews with various departments and student groups. The outcomes focused on six key areas covering 19 opportunities for improvement. The first phase this fall included five of the 19 topics: Consistent Hours of Operation (providing students 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. availability for all business units, including Registrar and Cashier); E-commerce (payment online); Central Web Presence (www.rider.edu/onestop); Ask One Stop (students can pose questions regarding administrative areas) and Enrollment Clearance (formerly known as Registration).

Said Aromando: “We must be prepared to coordinate and communicate with more departments on campus. It is important that we maintain and raise the confidence level across all constituents of the University.”

 

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