Body
Overview
This article provides employees an overview of using their departments and services group page in MavLife as a communication tool for student audiences. It covers basic information and features of group pages, how to manage content and settings on their pages, and best practices including where to post and digital accessibility.
About MavLife
MavLife is an all-in-one student focused university app where students can engage with Recognized Student Organizations, university departments, and each other. Top features in MavLife include quick links to commonly used tools and services, events and volunteer opportunities, community discussion channels, and integration with D2L.
About Group Pages for Departments and Services
University departments can host their own page in MavLife to be listed in the directory and share content with the student audience. Pages include a description of the services offered, contact information, a link to the website, staff posts, and other optional content and tools including events, featured links, photos, documents, emails, push notifications, and more.
Page Discovery and Joining Groups
Students can browse or search departments and services group pages by going to the Departments and Services directory in MavLife. They can view and interact with all content on the page, whether they’ve joined the group or not. They must join the group to get notified about new posts and receive other communications, like emails, from the department.
Managing Pages
Designated staff can be assigned as admins to the page so they can manage settings, post content, and use additional communication tools. Below are the recommended features to start with.
Accessing Your Group
- In a browser, open the online MavLife portal.
- Click Sign In, then Student, Faculty, and Staff Sign In.
- Sign in with your StarID credentials: YourStarID@minnstate.edu and StarID password.
- Select the Groups tab at the top of the page.
- Under My Groups, select your department's group page.
- Here, you can manage all settings and tools related to your page.
- To preview your live page, select Dashboard, then Group Page.
Posting to Your Page
By default, only designated admins can post to the page. If desired, you can enable posting for all group members or all users. All posts will be visible to all users viewing the page. Users who have joined the group will receive a notification and the post will be served to them in their Community Feed under “All Posts” alongside other content from groups they’re a member of.
- From your group, select Dashboard, then Group Page.
- Under the Staff Posts section, select View Feed.
- Begin typing in the Start a new conversation box. Add images, documents, links, or videos to your post by selecting the corresponding tabs.
- Select the Send button to share it immediately, or select the Schedule button to schedule the post for later.
- Once posted, you can check views, make edits, or pin the post using the options in the bottom right corner of the post.
Likes and Replies
When someone likes or replies to your post, you’ll receive an email notification. Respond to replies by selecting Reply under the post.
Links
Curate a featured links section on your group page.
- From your group, select Dashboard, then Group Page.
- Select the Links tab at the top.
- Select Manage Links, then Create Link.
Updating Group Information
- Manage Group Settings: Update your page details including profile photo, cover image, description, and contact information.
- Choose What to Display: Choose which sections (Events, Members, Officers, News, Links, Photos, etc.) will be displayed on the group page by checking the associated checkboxes.
Additional Tools
- Documents and photos: Share documents and photos.
- Events: Create events, choose which audiences can view them, and manage registration and attendance. By default, events will be included on the "Upcoming Events" section on the app home page.
- Emails: Send emails or newsletters through MavLife to all or selected Group members using a standard message or a custom template, with the option to also post the email as a Group Page Post.
- Push notifications: Send a notification to all or selected Group members, which appears as a mobile push notification for users logged into the app, or within the Notifications icon in the online portal.
- Surveys and forms: Create surveys and forms within the app. Note: Consult with your Solutions Architect to determine when these tools are the best fit compared to other campus options.
- Forums: Discussion or Q&A channels that are visible to all users by default, unless restricted to members only.
Best Practices
Where to Post
Only post content directly to your group page’s feed, not the Community Channels (Maverick Forum, Housing, Lost & Found, Buy & Sell, and Ride Sharing). Community Channels are reserved for students to share and communicate with each other, not for departmental updates or for faculty and staff to connect directly with students. Don’t post content–or have your student workers post content–here.
Warnings
University Departments and Services who post to the Community Channels will receive a warning. If they continue to post in the Community Channels, they will have their access to the MavLife tool suspended. Questions or suspension appeals can be directed to the Office of Student Affairs & Enrollment Management at student-affairs@mnsu.edu.
Growing Your Audience
It's recommended to pin a post on your page reminding students to join for notifications from your department. You can also promote your page through your existing marketing channels.
Image Sizing
Review the Image Sizing Guide for recommendations on sizes for event photos, profile photos, and other images in MavLife.
Digital Accessibility
You’re responsible for following best practices regarding accessibility for all content posted, uploaded, or linked. Refer to the Digital Accessibility Hub and the Brand Hub for guidance.
Content Frequency
Ensure that communications to group members are timely, relevant to the audience, and not overwhelming in frequency. Keep in mind that users are also getting notifications from the other groups they have joined. Users can leave a group at any time if they no longer wish to receive notifications.
University Updates Group for All Students
All students are initially added to the University Updates group, managed by the Office of Student Affairs & Enrollment Management, where important university news is shared. Scheduled reminders will be posted in the group throughout the semester encouraging students to explore and join individual Departments and Services pages they want to receive notifications for.
Requests to post: Individuals must be authorized by their Vice President, the Provost and Senior VP for Academic Affairs, or their designees to post messages to all students via this group. Send requests to student-affairs@mnsu.edu at least two weeks in advance (except for emergency notifications managed by University Security) including the text of the message and date to be posted.
FAQ
Can I post "on behalf of" my department, rather than as an individual?
No, in the current version of MavLife users must post as themselves. However, if a group has a shared university email, a shared MavLife account can be set up for the group.
More Resources
Still Need Help?
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