Westbrook University: Revolutionizing Campus Communication
"Our students live in a digital world. Paper flyers on bulletin boards weren't reaching them. Since deploying digital signage, event attendance is up 20%, club membership has grown significantly, and we finally have reliable emergency communication across campus."
— Dr. Michael Patterson, VP of Student Affairs, Westbrook University
Institution Overview
| Institution | Westbrook University |
| Type | Private 4-year university |
| Students | 18,000 (undergraduate and graduate) |
| Faculty & Staff | 2,400 |
| Campus Size | 340 acres, 52 buildings |
| Location | Suburban Pennsylvania |
| SignageStudio Customer Since | August 2024 |
The Challenge
Westbrook University faced mounting communication challenges common to higher education:
Declining Student Engagement
Research shows 80% of students report disengagement from campus activities. Westbrook was experiencing:
- Declining attendance at campus events
- Low awareness of student services and resources
- Club and organization membership stagnation
- Students citing "didn't know about it" as the top reason for missing events
Outdated Communication Methods
- 500+ bulletin boards across campus with competing, outdated flyers
- Email fatigue among students (average inbox: 200+ unread)
- Website updates rarely checked by students
- Inconsistent messaging between departments
Emergency Communication Gaps
- Campus alert system limited to text/email (assuming devices are accessible)
- Over 40% of schools lack clear emergency instructions
- No visual communication system for emergencies
- Concern about reaching students in noisy environments (gym, dining halls)
Information Overload
Students reported being overwhelmed yet uninformed—too many channels, none effective.
The Solution
Westbrook deployed a comprehensive campus-wide digital signage network:
Display Network
- 186 displays across campus
- Student Center hub (12-display video wall)
- Building entrance displays in all 52 buildings
- Dining hall menu boards (4 locations)
- Library information displays
- Athletics facility scoreboards and info screens
- Residence hall lobby displays
Content Management Structure
- Central communications office manages campus-wide content
- Department content managers contribute department-specific information
- Student organizations can submit content for approval
- Athletics manages sports-related content
- Emergency override controlled by campus safety
The Results
After 14 months of deployment, the transformation has been significant:
Student Engagement
According to education digital signage research, 97% of students prefer digital channels—Westbrook's results confirm this preference.
Specific Outcomes
| Area | Metric | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Campus Events | Attendance increase | +20% |
| Club Membership | New member signups | +28% |
| Career Services | Appointment bookings | +35% |
| Library Usage | Resource awareness | +46% |
| Dining | Student satisfaction | +22% |
| Athletics | Game attendance | +31% |
Case study: A Texas high school reported 20% increase in club membership after advertising on digital displays—Westbrook exceeded this.
Emergency Preparedness
- 100% campus coverage for emergency messaging
- Instant override capability reaching all 186 displays
- Multi-language emergency instructions displayed automatically
- Improved drill performance with visual evacuation guidance
- Students report 67% higher confidence in emergency awareness
Key Implementations
The Student Center Hub
A 12-display video wall serves as the campus information centerpiece:
- Live event calendar with real-time updates
- Student organization spotlights
- Campus news and announcements
- Social media wall featuring #WestbrookU content
- Interactive wayfinding kiosk
Departmental Integration
Each academic building displays:
- Department-specific announcements
- Faculty office hours and availability
- Class schedule changes
- Research opportunities
- Career events relevant to majors
Dining Services
Digital menu boards in all dining facilities:
- Real-time menu updates
- Nutritional information and allergen alerts
- Wait time estimates
- Sustainability messaging
- Student feedback displays
Emergency System
Integrated with campus emergency protocols:
- Instant takeover of all displays during emergencies
- Location-specific evacuation routes
- Weather alerts with recommended actions
- Active situation instructions
Student Voices
"I actually know what's happening on campus now. Walking through the student center, I see events I want to attend. Found out about three clubs I joined this semester from the digital displays."
— Junior, Business Major
"The dining hall screens showing the menu and wait times are so helpful. I can decide where to eat before walking across campus. Also love seeing the daily sustainability stats."
— Sophomore, Environmental Science
ROI Summary
| Investment | Amount |
|---|---|
| Hardware (186 displays, players, mounts) | $485,000 |
| Installation across campus | $142,000 |
| Network infrastructure upgrades | $68,000 |
| SignageStudio enterprise education license | $24,000/year |
| Total Initial Investment | $719,000 |
| Annual Returns | Amount |
|---|---|
| Print cost reduction | $95,000 |
| Staff time savings | $120,000 |
| Increased auxiliary revenue (dining, events) | $180,000 |
| Emergency system compliance value | $50,000 |
| ROI Achieved | 24 months |