If you’re a new freshman like myself, you have definitely heard of the new “IRIS” program adopted by Colorado Mesa University. In case you’re confused, IRIS stands for Integrated Resources for Information and Solution. There have been many rumors about IRIS. Some have been believing that it’s a lone girl behind a desk who answers any questions you have.
IRIS is not that.
There have been mixed feelings concerning IRIS because with every new program, there is always controversy. Tyler Bosshardt, a sophomore at CMU, feels frustrated with the change. Bosshardt mentioned how annoyed he was due to the long lines that awaited him each time he visited IRIS.
“I know why I’m there, I know what to do,” Bosshardt said. Bosshardt waiting in line for one of the three people at IRIS to help him “only made the process longer.”
On the other hand, solutions specialist at the IRIS desk, Karen Gonzalez, mentioned how wonderful IRIS was for incoming freshman. Director of IRIS Anna Nichols, also commented on how much more personalized this was becoming for students. She stated, “We try to look at the student holistically, as a whole.”
One of her experiences at IRIS, concerned a student who had been incorrectly filed in the system. This student had come in asking to add a class, but while searching through his records she noticed that he was being charged for out-of-state residency. The student was also being aided through the Colorado Opportunity Fund. Nichols helped him to fill out a form that resolved the issue.
“The department that registered him would not have seen or known what to do about an issue like this,” Nichols said. “We’ve been cross-trained to look for those things specifically.”
IRIS stresses customer service. Their staff is taught to be as helpful as possible. Whereas before, students were sent to different offices where they were handed a paper, that told you what to do, and wished “good luck,” now, they are aided with their needs as kindly and quickly as possible. The solutions specialists also teach students how to help themselves in the future.
“I am just excited to be part of this and watch what’s happening out there, watching students working together and staff taking students to the computers to teach them how to do things on their own,” Nichols said.
Her view was that this new desk would eventually help the staff just as much as it helps the students. Volunteers from different departments control the IRIS desk, so as for the moment faculty and staff are being stretched thin. This explains the relatively small amount of staff. Nichols believes that IRIS is already extremely beneficial to CMU students, and intends to let it become the only thing students need.
The program is still adjusting. IRIS intends to create a student advisory board soon that will help the IRIS staff know what works, what doesn’t, and what could be added or altered. They also are moving towards handling emails and calls at the center to become the “one stop” for students. Nichols said, “Sure there are growing pains, but there always are.”
I agree with her statement.
There will always be hiccups, especially with pilot programs, but I believe that IRIS will eventually be one of the greatest additions to our university. Part of the reason why I chose CMU instead of a larger school was because I heard it was so personalized.
IRIS is a program I admire.
Sure, upperclassmen will need to adjust, but I know that it will be so much easier for them in the long run. I already see the great benefits IRIS has to offer for freshmen. As a student worker at the Registrar’s office, IRIS has been handling many issues, that would normally come across our desk. It has been a gift.
When I spoke to Anna Nichols, I admired just how passionate she was about making student’s life easier. The goal of IRIS is to make being a college student much less stressful, and Nichols intends to adjust IRIS further to incorporate what the students need.
“Students aren’t really checking emails anymore,” she said, “so let’s explore text, let’s look at chat, let’s come to their dorms, let’s come to them…The plan is there is no end to what IRIS is going to be.”
So how do I feel about IRIS? Go ask IRIS.
