New UM app offers mobile gateway to information, grades and courses
Missoula Current
Students and community members won't need to go any farther than their smart phone to look up University of Montana course information and campus events, thanks to a new mobile app released by the school last week.
The app, the first released by the school, was designed by the university's Information Technology department. It offers users easy access to information, integration with UM academic tools and the ability to conduct university business from a phone, tablet or a web browser.
“The reality is that more and more people are using mobile these days,” said Mario Schulzke, UM’s chief marketing officer. “As a university, we're aware of that shift in consumer behavior, and we built – and will continue to build – this platform to better serve our students and their needs.”
The app's functions include a listing of available degrees and majors offered by UM, hours of operation for campus facilities, and a listing of current campus events. It also includes access to library services, an interactive campus map, a listing of student groups, campus food menus and the UDash bus schedule.
Schulzke said the app was built in response to changes in the way students connect to information. The number of features available from the app will increase over time.
“We won’t be able to tackle all the problems at once,” he said. “But our goal is to launch an app that delivers immediate value and then build from there.”
Schulzke said users can also personalize the app after downloading it for free from the Google Play or Apple iTunes stores.
The university wasn't the only local organization to launch a new app this week.
On Tuesday, the grocery chain Albertsons also announced that its stores in Missoula have launched an app allowing shoppers to locate weekly savings over their phone.
Kathy Holland, communications and community relations manager for Albertsons Intermountain Division, said the app allows customers to add offers to their account. The savings will be automatically applied to purchases made in the store when a phone number is entered during checkout.
“The app includes manufacturer and store coupons, as well as personalized deals for customers based on their shopping history,” said Holland.