UA’s HES Explores Emerging Technology for Homecoming

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama College of Human Environmental Sciences is taking an innovatively different approach to welcoming alumni and friends for homecoming festivities on campus.

Doster Hall, the home of CHES, is adorned with a QR code. Short for Quick Response, the barcode-like image is more than randomly placed squares on a grid. The image, once scanned by a smartphone, takes users to a designated website. The two-dimensional code on the signage in front of Doster takes users to the CHES homepage.

“This, for us, was a logical step in truly engaging faculty, staff, students and alumni in the communication process,” said Dr. Milla Boschung, dean of the College. “We constantly tailor our website content to have the latest information for prospective and current students, and especially our alumni. A QR code for the homepage facilitates quick, constant contact.”

According to the Pew Internet & American Life Project, 59 percent of adults now access the Internet wirelessly using a laptop or cell phone. Many new generation smartphones are equipped with the software to read the codes, while most other phones can download a free application in minutes. The process of scanning the QR code is as easy as taking a photo with a cell phone.

Quick Response codes have limitless applications.They can be printed or flashed upon virtually any surface, from billboards and t-shirts to tattoos and cupcakes.Their use is widespread in Japan, with a few American companies featuring them in ads stateside.

Boschung and executive secretary Genna Jones are cautiously exploring this emerging technology for uses in academia.

The College has the largest online enrollment numbers at UA, greatly due to online programs such as eArmyU, an Army education initiative designed to offer eligible enlisted soldiers the opportunity to work toward a college degree or certificate anytime, anywhere.

QR codes have the capability to give students instant access to required readings and class announcements.

“We’ve not heard of many academic institutions using QR codes, so we want to move forward, but make sure our alumni, students and friends can truly benefit from having quick access to the College,” said Jones. “If this is successful in that it’s found to be helpful, we plan to pursue other uses.”

For the record, the banner on the front of Doster Hall is not a misprint—it’s the next step for the College of Human Environmental Sciences.