Information Management
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Spotlight: R25 Implementation Project
In partnership with Yeshiva University Office of Communications and Public Affairs Project Dates: March 2009 - Present Learn more about R25 |
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In 2006, Yeshiva University purchased Resource 25 (R25), a space analysis and scheduling software created by CollegeNet. The program allowed Yeshiva to build an archive of campus space and then run analytics to determine how best to schedule classes and events in those spaces. However, with every new software comes challenges on use and integration. At Yeshiva, a highly decentralized university with four campuses in the New York area, the plan to use R25 collapsed soon after it began. Institutional reluctance to change and lack of understanding of the software's potential left it virtually unused for three years.
In 2009, Jason was approached by Yeshiva's Office of Communications and Public Affairs to revive the R25 project. The mandate was clear: implement this software and make sure it was used to its best capacity to help save time, effort, money, and resources. Jason applied his archival management skills and project management experience to the task. He immediately identified the core problem at the University: lack of trust in the system. Without fully trusting that the database was clean, how could schedulers trust they were assigning the right room and resources to the right events? If the database was incomplete, then it would not eliminate double-bookings like it was supposed to? Users fell back on relying on pen, paper and phone calls instead of using the system.
Jason led a task force to build a comprehensive index of University spaces and resources in R25. He laid out a project timeline for building the spaces in the system, training staff, building new workflow that incorporated the program, identifying what aspects of the program could best suit Yeshiva's needs, and the creation of a centralized public university events calendar gives students, faculty and staff a more comprehensive picture of university events and space usage. In the process he has led the creation of a revamped Office of Campus Events that operates exclusively in R25. And now he is staying on at Yeshiva in a consulting role to lead the University as it upgrades to newer versions of R25 and integrates more users into the system.
Testimonial from Yeshiva University:
Jason has been an incredible asset to the University. His vision, analysis, decision-making and leadership have been instrumental to the implementation of R25 at Yeshiva. Without his skills, this project would never succeed.
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