Text Messaging
Text messaging has emerged as a highly effective means of communicating with today’s college students. "Nudging" students to make an appointment with an advisor, complete a financial aid application, or register for classes can improve student success.
Program information
Missouri State University is expanding the program to text message with students related to student success, allowing two-way text communication between students and specific offices.
Students can expect to receive:
- Tips for success
- Reminders about dates and deadlines
- Questions focused on providing assistance
Students can send:
- Questions
- Comments
- Responses to questions
Opt out
All first time new in college students are automatically opted in to receive these text messages. If you do not want to receive messages, reply to the message with STOP or CANCEL to opt out. This will need to be done for each department/office that communicates with you.
You can opt back in by replying to a message from that department or office. You will need to reply to each department or office that you originally opted out of.
Email is still primary form of communication
Email to a student’s university account is and will remain the official form of university communication. Email is how the university communicates to all students. Text messages will enhance email communications by providing timely, relevant and personalized communication to students.
Also, some sensitive information, such as grades, can only be sent by email and not via text message. Students can expect to receive some text messages referring to an email with more information.
Text messages are interactive
The messages allow two-way communication. Feel free to respond to a message and ask questions. In most cases, a real person (such as your advisor) will be on the other end to respond during normal business hours. To support students during off hours, we will use artificial intelligence to answer common questions.
Frequency of communication
Participating offices will send an average of one to two text messages a month. During key times, such as registration, messages may be sent more often.
Emergency communications
The university also provides text messaging as an option under the Missouri State Alert mass notification system. Missouri State Alert text messages are completely unrelated to this program.
Updating contact information
Students can update their phone numbers online via the Personal Information card in My Missouri State. Simply add a new phone number with a Phone Type of “Cell Phone”. If a student has multiple cell phone numbers, make sure that only the phone number that should receive text messages is marked as Primary. Other methods of updating contact information are also available via the Office of the Registrar.
Privacy and policy
Due to privacy laws, such as FERPA, there is some information we cannot communicate to you via text message. If you engage in a text message conversation about a sensitive topic, you may be asked to check email or call for a conversation.
Here is additional information about related university policies:
Here are a few information sources to learn more about nudges for student success and our technology partner, Signal Vine: