Liberty University The Hybrid Campus Tour

Ed ParkerAssociate Director of The Visitors Center

Overview• Who we are• Types of tours and events offered

– Daily Tours– Single Day Events– College For A Weekend– Summer Camps– Winterfest

• Tour Logistics• Visitors Center Team• Guest Feedback• Conclusion

Liberty University Motto“Training Champions for Christ”

“One thing I really appreciate about Liberty is that their motto “Training Champions for Christ” is not just a motto, but it is truly at the core of everything Liberty University does. Being trained as a champion for Christ is the most important education one can have.”-Victoria

Who We Are• Four Year Private Liberal Arts University

– 16 Colleges and Schools – Most popular resident undergraduate programs of study; Business, Cinematic

Arts, Education, Nursing, Phycology and Religion

• Founded 1971, 154 students• Fall 2015 projections

– Resident campus 14,300 students (4,300 new + 10,000 returning)– Online campus 95,000 + students– Combined creating the 5th largest university in the nation

• Maintained Campus size 700 acres (7,600+ acres)

Visitors Center• Our Goal: Leading prospective students to the next step through

providing a memorable campus visit experience • The Visitors Center is the first impression of Liberty University

Serving as an Admissions & Campus Information Center• We Provide:

– Daily Tours– Special Events

• Single Day Events• College for a Weekend• Summer Camps • WinterFest

– Campus Concierge Services

Daily Tours• Include:

• 10-minute Welcome & Introduction Video • Student-led campus tour of the academic, athletic,

recreational and residence facilities (1 hr. 45 minutes to 2 hrs.) Hybrid walking and driving tour

• General group admissions session geared to answer guests’ questions regarding the application process, University scholarships and financial aid (15 minutes)

• Individual admissions appointments for Junior and Senior students following general session

Two Parts to the Tour• Part One

• Walking tour highlights– Model resident hall-barrack style– Brief university history– Academic highlights shared in classroom setting– Tour of Library– Tour of Dining Hall– Attend Convocation (M/W/F Fall & Spring

semesters)

Two Parts to the Tour• Part Two

• Driving tour highlights– Vines Center– Model resident hall-apartment style– Student recreation facilities– Window tour of major campus facilities while moving

between tour points of interest• Athletic facilities, Snowflex, Monogram, Commons I & II &

Campus Bookstore

Driving Tour Logistics

• Student guides provide driving tours via 14-passenger mini-buses–Must be 21 years of age with clean driving

record–Provide proficiency in driving university

vehicle–Driver is then placed on university insurance

policy

Driving Tour Logistics

• All university drivers assume responsibility of $500.00 deductible–One Visitors Center student driver has

experienced this via payroll deduction since 2008• This due to multiple infractions

Driving Tour Logistics

• Vehicle responsibilities –University Transportation Dept. serves as

primary for vehicle upkeep and maintenance –Visitors Center team monitors basic items

• Fuel and fluid levels• Weekly cleaning

Guest Feedback• “Wow, I don’t have to walk all the tour?”• “Thank you, I felt like a queen touring my new

kingdom”• “Amazing! Tour well done.”• “How good are your student drivers?”• “That was convenient”• “What?!?! No 2 hour ‘death march’?”-Jeff

Kallay

“The Fleet” • Four 14-passenger Mini-buses• One 5 passenger Club Car• Use of university owned Black

Suburban–For high profile special

guest tours

Flexibility • Transport guests in comfort to remote facilities

on 7,000+ acre campus–College of Osteopathic Medicine –School of Law–Equestrian Stables–Snowflex Centre–LaHaye Student

Union

LU Campus Spring 2015

Flexibility• Provide tours for special

guests –High Profile prospective

students• Children of politicians • Children of celebrities

–Prospective Faulty Members • Campus & Community

The Visitors Center Team• 14 Full Time staff• 1 Part Time staff• 21 Student staff (fall & spring)

– 17 Federal & university funded– 4 100% university funded

• 12 Student staff (summer)– University funded

• 15 additional Enrollment Management Full Time Staff

Hancock Welcome Center • Hours of operation

– Monday through Friday 8:00 am – 9:00 pm– Saturday 8:30 am – 6:00 pm– Sunday 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Ponder This…

Mr. James Cash Penney was asked this simple question; “How do you train your people to be so

friendly?”

Consider This…His reply:

“That’s easy…..you simply hire Friendly People.”

Liberty University

Parting Thoughts and QuestionsEd Parker

Associate Director of The Visitors CenterLiberty University, Lynchburg, VA

efparker@liberty.edu434-592-3775

Contributors: Joy Federico & Katherine Madrid