Penn State Go Communication

Sending information to the campus community using mobile-specific communication channels can be vital in sharing your resources, services, event information, and more. Penn State Go supports various communication options for Penn State entities looking to expand their communication channels to users of the Penn State Go app.

Communication Types
Communication Guidelines
Communication Requests

Communication Types

Public Notifications
Public notifications messages can be sent to all users or a specific app experience (such as students at a specific Commonwealth Campus) that have enabled push notifications for Penn State Go. These notifications are generally reserved for app updates and features, and campus-wide events. On rare occasions, public notifications can be sent by the Penn State Go mobile team on the behalf of a Penn State entity with prior approval. 
In-App Banners
In-app banners and messages create notifications inside the Penn State Go mobile app at the top of the main homepage or specific module pages. These are a good alternative to public notifications because all users will see these banners within the app but will not receive a push notification. These banners are generally used for app updates and features, maintenance, events, and survey opportunities. The banners and messages can be sent by the Penn State Go mobile team on the behalf of a Penn State entity with prior approval.  
Opt-In Channels
Opt-in channels are a feature of the Penn State Go app that enables Penn State entities and partners to send messages manually, scheduled, or linked to an RSS feed to a specific messaging channel in the Penn State Go app. These channels send a push notification to subscribed users and allow all users to read information from specific messaging channels in the Penn State Go app. For example: THON 2020 utilized an opt-in channel to inform and notify participants of daily events and updates.
Personalized Notifications
Personalized notification is a feature of the Penn State Go app that enables Penn State entities and partners to send personalized messages to specific users based on certain attributes (such as one’s college or major) when they log in to Penn State Go. For example, a personalized message with content specific to accounting majors can be sent only to that subset of users who are identified at with that attribute.
Location-based Notifications
Location-based notifications can be sent to users based on their physical location. These notifications are typically designed to provide information, updates, and events relevant to a particular location at a Penn State campus. They can be sent to users who have enabled location-based notification services within the Penn State Go app. The Penn State Go mobile team can send the notifications on behalf of a Penn State entity with prior approval. 

Communication Guidelines

Please read and understand the communication guidelines below before you fill out the appropriate request forms for push notifications, opt-in notifications, location-based notifications, in-app banner messages, or personalized notifications for Penn State Go.   Only Penn State entities may request an account to send or ask for Push Notifications, In-App Banner Messages, Location-based Notifications, Opt-In Notifications, or Personalized Notifications sent through the Penn State Go mobile app.   The Penn State Go mobile team will evaluate each notification request and notify the requestor if approved. The Penn State Go mobile team will also inform requestors if adjustments need to be made to allow timely University-wide messages to be scheduled ahead of other communications in the app.
Message Content
Messages from the Penn State Go cannot include the following:   

  • Sharing personally identifiable information. 
  • Solicitation of services or products outside of Penn State.
  • Explicit or offensive content.

Public push notification, location-based notification, and opt-in channel accounts can be suspended or removed by not following message content guidelines.  

Frequency of Messages
Be mindful of the number of messages sent to users. A higher volume of push notification messages may result in Penn State Go users disabling the push notification feature.  

Opt-in Channels:  An opt-in channel is expected to post content at least once every four weeks. 

Location-based Notifications:  Location-based notifications should typically notify users no more than two times a week. 

Public Push Notifications, In-App Banner Messages:  Public push notifications and in-app banner messages should typically notify users no more than one time per week.

Personalized Notifications  Personalized notifications should typically notify users no more than one time per week, with at least one message every four weeks. 

Guideline Changes
Penn State Go Mobile Operations Group reserves the right to update or make exceptions to these guidelines. All users of the Penn State Go Communication platform will be updated when changes occur. 

Communication Requests

Single Request Forms

Messages must support the academic or administrative functions of the University, and messages must be applicable to most University constituencies, including departments, divisions, or offices critical to the Penn State community.

Public Notification & In-App Banner Single Message

Public notifications and messages must support the academic or administrative functions of the University and must be applicable to most University constituencies, including departments, divisions, or offices critical to the Penn State community.

Please use the Penn State Go In-App Banner or Push Notification Request form or contact us for more questions.

All requests must be made at least 5 business days before the notification is scheduled to go live. The Penn State Go Team will review announcement submission requests. Posting is not guaranteed. A Penn State Go team member may be in contact to ensure the information’s accuracy and review messaging guidelines before final approval is granted. 

Location-based Notification Single Message

Please contact us to request a single Location-based Notification message.

All requests must be made at least 5 business days before the notification is scheduled to go live. The Penn State Go Team will review announcement submission requests. Posting is not guaranteed. A Penn State Go team member may be in contact to ensure the information’s accuracy and review messaging guidelines before final approval is granted.

Communication Account Request

University Communication specialists who regularly post communications may submit a request for a Public Notification Account, Opt-in Notifications account, Location-based Notification Account, or Personalized Notification Account. When your request for an account is received, a Penn State Go team member will be in contact to ensure the accuracy of the information provided and review messaging guidelines before final approval is granted. Account approval can take up to 10 business days. Approval is not guaranteed.

Public Notification Account

Public notifications and messages must support the academic or administrative functions of the University. They must apply to most University constituencies, including departments, divisions, or offices critical to the Penn State community. Due to the scope of these messages, account requests are generally not approved.

Penn State entities and partners must contact the Penn State Go team to request a public notification account.

If you need only a single announcement, please use the Penn State Go In-App Banner or Push Notification Request form instead. The Penn State Go Team will review announcement submission requests. Posting is not guaranteed.

Personalized Notification Account

To use personalized notifications, Penn State entities and partners must request a personalized notification account. Once an account has been granted, communicators can send personalized messages to specific users based on certain attributes (such as one’s college or major) when they login to Penn State Go.

To request an account, please use this Personalized Notification Account form or contact us for more questions.

A Penn State Go team member may contact you to ensure the information’s accuracy and review messaging guidelines before final approval. Account approval is not guaranteed.

Opt-in Notification Account

To use opt-in channel notifications, Penn State entities and partners must request an opt-in notification account. Once an account is approved, communicators can send messages to users who have opted in to receive notifications about your channel’s specific topic or interest area.

To request an account, please use the Penn State Go Opt-in Notification Message Request form or contact us for more questions.

A Penn State Go team member may be in contact to ensure the information’s accuracy and review messaging guidelines before final approval is granted. Account approval is not guaranteed.

Location-based Notification Account

To use location-based notifications, Penn State entities and partners must request a location-based notification account. Once an account is approved, communicators can send messages to users at a specific location on any Penn State campus.

To request an account, please use the Penn State Go Location-based Notification Request form or contact us for more questions.

A Penn State Go team member may contact you to ensure the information’s accuracy and review messaging guidelines before final approval. Account approval is not guaranteed.