TAMIU Launches Social Media Presence

Post. Tweet. Update. Follow. Tag. These five simple words are used to navigate online social media sites and now apply to Texas A&M International University’s official presence on Facebook and Twitter.

“TAMIU already has an online presence. People can visit tamiu.edu for general University information. This Fall, we launched our online portal, UConnect, for our students, faculty and staff as well as an online calendar, @TAMIU which features e-mail, text and RSS feed capabilities. Our podcast, iTAMIU, is nearly four years old. The University has long been at the forefront in technology use and our communications program is no exception. As we looked at ways supplement traditional forms of communication, the use of social media was the next logical step,” said Steve Harmon, director of TAMIU’s Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services.

“Our pages on Facebook and Twitter have the potential to reach not only the immediate TAMIU community, but also alumni, prospective students, visitors, donors—anyone interested in TAMIU—and keep them up to date in real-time, 24/7,” Harmon said.

Twitter is a free-access online social networking site where people post updates, or “tweets,” of no more than 140 characters in length, via mobile texting, instant message or the Web.

Facebook is also a free-access social networking site. Users connect with “friends” and post status updates. According to web metrics provider Hitwise, Facebook is the number one social networking site with more than 300 million users around the world.

“Current visitors to TAMIU’s Facebook page can view University pictures, including campus pictures, Dusty’s Birthday Party and AutMus photos and pictures from the current Laredo Theater Guild International production of ‘Man of La Mancha’ at our new Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Theatre. Also on the page are event reminders and tips for getting around campus, such as an alert to fans that the new parking lot near the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts is open,” Harmon said.

University tweets include links to Facebook photos, press releases and reminders for events on campus.

To view TAMIU’s tweets, follow TAMIU at twitter.com/txamiu. To follow TAMIU on Facebook, go to facebook.com/txamiu and become a fan.

For more information, contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at 326.2180, e-mail prmis@tamiu.edu or visit offices in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 268.

University office hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu