Can self-service tech help after the Great Resignation?

The great resignation is a phenomenon that has been affecting college campuses across the country, as staff members quit or move to higher-paid jobs in the private sector. 2020 alone saw the loss of over 600,000 campus workers through voluntary resignations and layoffs. This trend has led to staff shortages on many campuses, resulting in increased workloads for remaining staff and reduced availability of services for students.

One way to address this issue is by leveraging the power of automated technologies. For example, the use of vending machines and other automated systems can help to reduce the workload for staff by automating routine tasks such as the sale of snacks/beverages or automated checkout desk services. Automated vending doesn’t have to be boring and stale like its has been in the past. Campuses across the country have been installing Pizza ATM’s. Yup… a pizza vending machine! This kind of automated tech excites and engages students while also freeing up staff time to focus on more critical tasks, such as providing support, guidance, and quality service.

IoT devices can also play a role in addressing staff shortages on college campuses. These technologies can be used to automate and streamline various processes, such as building management and maintenance. This can help to reduce the amount of time and effort required to manage buildings and facilities, allowing staff to focus on other tasks. Administration or information desks in Union buildings or Student Centers are ideally staffed for long hours, but our team at RecRe has heard from dozens of campuses across the country how hard it is to retain that labor.

Of course, the use of automated technologies is not a complete solution to the challenges posed by staff shortages on college campuses. However, it can provide a valuable tool in helping to alleviate some of the workload and improve efficiency. By incorporating these technologies into their operations, colleges and universities can better support their staff and provide high-quality services to their students.

RecRe’s automated rental platform can be a useful step in the right direction to provide students a better, more accessible service, while leveraging technology that helps make your department more efficient.