FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 25, 2006

 Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Launches Online Tool to Serve Spanish-Speaking Prospective Students

“Respuestas EMT” is the latest collaboration between Hobsons and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU)

Cincinnati, OH—Hobsons announced that Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is the first institution to launch its latest HACU-endorsed product, Respuestas EMT, an online, dynamic frequently asked questions system that allows prospective students to ask and receive answers to questions in Spanish directly from the institution’s Web site.

Using this product, HACU member institutions can maintain a distinct competitive edge with this fast-growing population, establishing a leadership position through the utilization of technology to better serve the Spanish-speaking population of prospective students and their families. In addition, providing automated answers to routine questions allows staff to shift their focus from responding to routine inquiries toward building personalized, one-on-one relationships with Hispanic students throughout the enrollment cycle—relationships that are the foundation of year-on-year matriculation.

“We are proud to be the first to employ this tool that will allow us to serve Hispanic students and their parents in a more customized way,” said James Maraviglia, Vice President for Admissions, Recruitment, and Financial Aid at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. “Not only are we able to provide 24/7 access to information about the admissions and enrollment process that is specific to Hispanic prospective students, we also show our dedication to furthering the educational progress of the fast-growing Hispanic population as a whole.”

The Respuestas EMT search boxes placed on the Web sites of purchasing member institutions, like Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, will be co-branded to include the official HACU logo—a symbol of HACU’s full endorsement of this tool, which is developed and maintained by Hobsons.

“This endorsement goes one step further in solidifying HACU’s commitment to developing the capacity of our member institutions to better serve the needs of their students,” said Antonio R. Flores, President and CEO of HACU.

Those interested in more information on Respuestas EMT may contact Clay Bond, Hobsons National Sales Director, at (800) 927-8439, ext. 4163.

About Hobsons

Created in 1974, Hobsons is the single largest provider of global education and recruitment information, services, and research. Each year Hobsons’ products and services help more than two million students and advisers in 160 countries find and select appropriate educational or employment opportunities. Headquartered in the United Kingdom, Hobsons also has offices in the United States, Australia, Germany, France, and Belgium. More students and young professionals use a Hobsons product or service to choose a university or career than any other company. Additional information is available at http://www.hobsons.com/.

About HACU

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) was established in 1986 with a founding membership of eighteen institutions.  Today, HACU represents more than 450 colleges and universities committed to Hispanic higher education success in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Latin America, Spain and Portugal.  Although their member institutions in the U. S. represent less than 7% of all higher education institutions nationwide, together they are home to more than two-thirds of all Hispanic college students.  HACU is the only national educational association that represents Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). HACU is a non-profit organization committed to assuring higher education access and success for Hispanic students. For more information, visit www.hacu.net.

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