Marshall University, a public institution serving 13,000 students, transformed their student affairs operations by consolidating fragmented departmental systems into a unified platform with Symplicity Advocate.
The Challenge: Disconnected Departments, Compromised Safety
Before Symplicity, Marshall's case management was scattered across departments using incompatible systems. Jessica Bailey, Assistant Director of Case Management and Data Assessment, explains: "Each department had their own reporting system, and they don't talk to each other."
This fragmentation created serious problems:
- Critical safety information might not reach the right people in time
- Reporting was manual and error-prone
- Cases transferred between departments without proper documentation
- No institutional oversight of trends or patterns
The Solution: One Platform, Campus-Wide Impact
Marshall chose Symplicity Advocate for its security features and ability to unify operations across departments. "What really drew us to it is security," Bailey notes. "The level access rights ensures we're FERPA compliant and only people who absolutely need access have that access."
The platform eliminated the need to juggle multiple systems while maintaining the flexibility each department needs.
Measurable Results
Since implementation, Marshall has achieved remarkable improvements:
Enhanced Reporting: Monthly reports now provide clear institutional insights, including processing 2,600 excused absence requests (74% for student illness) and detailed residence hall incident analytics.
Expanded Applications: Beyond traditional conduct cases, they now use workflows for excused absences—helping secure increased funding.
Improved Compliance: Centralized reporting ensures consistent, timely communication about campus safety issues and streamlines federal reporting requirements.
Better Decision-Making: Data helps inform policy revisions, training needs, and resource allocation across departments.
Looking Ahead: Continuous Innovation
Marshall continues expanding their use of Advocate with upcoming features:
- FERPA compliance forms for conduct meetings
- RA application workflows with background check consent
- Student transition planning for post-suspension re-entry
- Enhanced documentation tools with one-click templates
Bailey is particularly excited about graded rubric systems for Behavioral Intervention Team assessments, allowing team members to provide input before group decisions.
Partnership That Works
Beyond the technology, Marshall values their collaborative relationship with their Symplicity client manager. "It doesn't feel like she's trying to sell me on anything," Bailey explains. "We're colleagues having a conversation about work with the same goal—improving Marshall."
The Impact
When asked about Symplicity's most significant benefit, Bailey's response was immediate:
"Simplicity has provided consistency, accuracy, and reliability for Marshall."
This transformation enabled Marshall to move from reactive, siloed operations to proactive, coordinated responses that better protect their campus community while maintaining compliance and supporting student success.
Marshall University's success demonstrates how comprehensive case management technology can enhance campus safety, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen institutional decision-making when implemented with the right support partnership.
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