GoalQuest: Tech's new facebook?
By Katie Kinney / Staff Writer

The housing and hospitality departments at Texas Tech have developed a new way for incoming freshmen to become more acclimated into the Tech community and learn about services to help them adjust to college life.

GoalQuest is a program that specializes in providing students ways to succeed in higher education.

Sean Duggan, managing director of Housing and Dining, said the program has two separate parts, one for underclassman and one for upperclassman.

"This program definitely has the potential for students that want the help," Duggan said. "It has great contact information and can answer students' questions."

D'aun Green, associate director of housing dining, said there are modules on the program that provide students with helpful studying tips, information about their major, advice about their adviser and much more.

"I'm hoping students look at the modules and are able to improve on their skills," Green said.

Green said the Web-based program runs like facebook, since it is programmed with Upeers and Uscene, the same as facebook.

On the program, there are overview keys for success. It includes points about high vs. college, time management, activities to get involved in on campus, how to have a job and go to school, how to deal with a roommate and academics.

"Research has shown that students do better if they are engaged and connected to their university," Green said. "This may be a way to be connected and have a better college experience."

Ryan McGee, freshman journalism major from Austin, said he believes this is a good program for students, especially freshmen.

"I think it is definitely helpful because some students can get confused when they get up here to college and this may help them get on the right track," he said.

Freshman should take advantage of this program, McGee said.

"I would say that students should use this program so they know they are doing things right before they end up doing things that won't help them in the long run," he said.

Duggan also said they are hoping to use this program in the future at orientations for students so the presentation looks more organized and makes the college look more appealing.

But educational purposes are not the only reasons that the program is important.

"We just want to help the students, and we hope this is just another way to do that," Green said.

Duggan said the program is up and running and can be used by students as of now.