ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Merit Network debuted a new social collaboration environment, the Merit Commons, during the Collaboration Summit held at Washtenaw Community College on Tuesday, March 1, 2016. The Merit Commons is a social platform that offers real-time communication for Merit Members. Featuring organic message streams, much like Facebook or Twitter, the Merit Commons will allow Members to interact in a secure, online space.
Based on a portal framework created by Wayne State University called Academica, the Merit Commons will bring users together to share knowledge, communicate on topics of interest, and connect with their peers.
“The new Merit Commons private social portal represents a 21st century method for technology leaders to advance digital communities and digital culture,” said Joseph Sawasky, Presisdent and CEO of Merit Network. “Merit’s statewide IT community is eager to collaborate and interact on a continuous real-time basis, using modern and mobile tools that are familiar, efficient and state-of-the-art. Our tagline has been ‘Connecting organizations and building community’…and we are now endeavoring to network people and unleash the full power of our community,” said Sawasky.
The Merit Commons is an environment for Members to continue conversations started during Merit events, such as the Collaboration Summit, and during Professional Development courses. It can be used as a private discussion space for program committees, working groups and Merit’s governance. Members can ask technical questions to their professional peers or offer guidance in their area of expertise. Merit staff will utilize the Merit Commons as a tool to receive direct feedback from Members regarding current and potential service offerings, as well as other areas of Merit Membership.
Utilizing the Merit Commons is easy and intuitive for users familiar with modern, social media platforms. Often-used links are readily visible from the main Merit Commons page. Connecting with thought leaders and following discussion streams is done with the click of a button. The Merit Commons is responsively designed and optimized for use on all mobile devices.
The Merit Commons is available to users affiliated with Merit Member organizations. Members can log in using their existing Member Portal credentials. New users can request access at merit.edu/members.
The goal of the Merit Commons is to bring Merit’s Membership together in one common, online social space, optimizing the full potential of collaboration in the modern world.
Questions about the Merit Commons? Please contact [email protected].
About Merit Network
Merit Network Inc., is a nonprofit corporation owned and governed by Michigan’s public universities. Merit owns and operates America’s longest-running regional research and education network. In 1966, Michigan’s public universities created Merit as a shared resource to help meet their common need for networking assistance. Since its formation, Merit Network has remained at the forefront of research and education networking expertise and services. Merit provides high-performance networking and IT solutions to Michigan’s public universities, colleges, K-12 organizations, libraries, state government, healthcare, and other non-profit organizations.
For more information: www.merit.edu