University launches central scheduling office to ease planning

Booking public space on campus has just gotten a little easier.

University Services launched a new department Monday to streamline the current event planning process.

The newly created University Scheduling Office provides a central point of access for clients seeking to book facilities on campus.

This week, the office began a publicity campaign to better promote its services to students, staff and faculty.

"We're rolling out — we're doing a public announcement," said Tom Myers, director of University Scheduling.

Myers, who is also the director of Frist Campus Center, created the scheduling office in September to meet the growing needs of first-time planners — many of whom feel unsure of where to begin when booking campus space.

"[The office] is looking to be publicized and to be out there for groups that might not have previously known where to go," he said. "We'll direct them to the appropriate space managers, external organizations and public services."

Before the centralized planning initiative was launched, event coordinators had to book space through individual facilities and departments. The new system seeks to enhance this existing arrangement, said Myers, not break it.

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"For example, the freshman classes that book [rooms] in Robertson have always had a great relationship with the schedulers over there. We're not going to be asking that scheduler to say, 'No, I can't help you anymore, you have to go through University Scheduling,'" Myers said. "People can continue in the same way they've been if they feel comfortable."

The scheduling office will consolidate entry points, centralize communications and connect people with existing campus resources. Furthermore, the group will not simply tell planners where to go or who to see — it will direct information to the appropriate personnel.

The University Scheduling website features an online reservation service, central events calendar and list of University booking policies and procedures.

Only one week into promotions, the new service has yet to gain widespread recognition among students. Myers remains optimistic nevertheless.

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"I think one very simple challenge is getting the word out. We've been sharing this process with many people and it's been quite well received," he said. "The second challenge, quite frankly, is to do it well and to do it in a manner that delivers one of those services that we're proud of." The University Scheduling website can be reached at www.princeton.edu/uscheduling. The office is located in Frist 203.