Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Constituent Relationship Management system?

A Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) system is a strategic platform used to manage interactions with various
university audiences. At ECU, this includes prospective students, current students, alumni, faculty, staff, and
external partners. While the term CRM usually applies to business settings, in higher education we use it to build
stronger, more connected relationships across campus.

Pirate360 is ECU’s CRM solution. It centralizes engagement efforts and enables staff to work from shared,
real-time data. Instead of scattered records and isolated processes, teams will collaborate more effectively and
serve constituents with greater consistency and impact.

What will Pirate360 do for advisors?

Pirate360 gives ECU advisors a single view of each student’s academic and support journey. They can securely
collaborate across departments, track notes, assign tasks, and see the full picture of what a student needs to
succeed. This unified record helps streamline student support and reduces the time advisors spend hunting for
information.

The system also automates routine communication such as appointment confirmations and reminders. Advisors can
focus their time and energy on one-on-one student success instead of managing multiple disconnected tools.

How does Pirate360 benefit students?

Pirate360 empowers students to take ownership of their academic experience. Through a student-friendly portal,
they can view personalized checklists, book advising appointments, access support resources, and stay on top
of their next steps. Everything is in one place and accessible from any device.

This consistency reduces confusion and helps students feel more confident and supported as they navigate life
at ECU. The result is better communication, less missed information, and a stronger connection to campus resources.

What’s changing with current tools like TeamDynamix or DegreeWorks?

Pirate360 is designed to complement or replace tools that serve overlapping purposes. DegreeWorks will still be
used for degree audits while Pirate360 builds out support for advising and student engagement.

Some tools like TeamDynamix may eventually be phased out or used differently as Pirate360 takes over ticketing,
case tracking, and internal service requests. Each transition will be carefully planned and communicated to reduce
disruption.

Will Pirate360 be available to all departments?

Yes, Pirate360 is being developed for use across ECU, but it will roll out in stages. Early phases focus on student
advising, experiential learning, and academic support. Later phases will expand into employee services, donor
relations, and other areas.

This phased approach ensures that each area gets the attention and customization needed to fully support their
goals and responsibilities.

How is data privacy and security handled?

Data privacy and protection are top priorities in Pirate360. The system runs on Salesforce, a secure platform
used by many universities and Fortune 500 companies. ECU’s IT teams work closely with system administrators to
enforce strict access controls and follow all FERPA and institutional data governance policies.

Users only see the information relevant to their roles, and all data is encrypted and audited for compliance.
Before gaining access, employees must complete security training and follow best practices for handling student
and institutional data.

How are faculty and staff involved in the project?

Pirate360 is being built in collaboration with faculty and staff across campus. Their input guides everything
from design to implementation. Through advisory groups, working sessions, and surveys,
faculty and staff help ensure the system reflects real workflows and supports daily operations.

This inclusive approach helps drive adoption and ensures Pirate360 serves the needs of the people who will use
it every day.