Ask Blue Chatbot Program
Ask Blue, Elizabethtown College's helpful chatbot, is an SMS texting service to support students by providing a 24/7 chat line that can immediately respond to questions while also checking in regularly throughout their time at Etown to ensure they are set up for success.
Etown’s AI-Powered Student Support Chatbot
Welcome to Ask Blue, your go-to companion for navigating campus life at Etown! Blue’s mission is to help support you here at Etown, providing you with instant access to answers and resources. Whether you need academic advising, ways to engage on campus, financial aid help, or info about wellness services, Blue is here to assist.
But Blue is more than just a helpful tool — he’s a proactive member of our community! By learning from your interactions, Blue continually adapts to better understand and meet the needs of everyone on campus.
Note: If you are in danger or there is an emergency contact Campus Safety at 717-361-1111 or dial 911. Please note: Emergency messaging from the College will continue to be shared using the EC Alert system.
Who is Ask Blue?
You probably know Blue as our beloved mascot. But did you know Blue is also your go-to resource for all things Etown, ready to assist you 24/7? Just send a text to Blue with your questions, and you’ll get quick answers — no waiting in line or making appointments needed!
Powered by AI, Blue is here to help you thrive. His mission is all about involving you in the conversation, tackling your questions, and helping you overcome any challenges you encounter as a college student. So don’t hesitate — reach out to Blue anytime you need support related to your time at Etown!
Blue serves as a resource for your questions, and connects you to support services and information regarding:
- Academics, advising, and tutoring support
- Financial and registration matters
- Student life and involvement activities
- Mental and physical health, and overall well-being
- And so much more!
Blue is on an exciting journey of learning and growth every day — just like you! The more you interact with Ask Blue, the smarter he gets. Blue loves to get to know you better, so you might receive occasional texts with questions tailored to your needs. Your answers help Blue share valuable insights with his human helpers, who may reach out to chat with you further or provide support where it’s needed. Together, you and Blue are building a smarter, more personalized experience!
How do I meet Blue the Chatbot?
Every fall, Blue sends out a friendly "hello" message to welcome all new and returning undergraduate students! Once you get that first text, make sure to add Blue to your contacts — you’ll want this helpful companion handy for all your questions!
Ask Blue is here to provide you with the info you need and guide you to the right resources anytime you need assistance. And if Blue doesn’t have the answer right away, no worries! He’ll connect you with the right office or a real person who can help you out.
To chat with Blue, make sure your cell phone number is updated in JayWeb — it’s your ticket to connecting with your favorite campus companion! While you can opt out of receiving messages from Blue, he truly hopes you’ll take the time to chat and answer his questions.
Throughout the semester, Blue will check in with you to see how you’re doing — whether it’s asking about your classes, sharing important campus updates, or seeking your thoughts on campus life. You can expect to hear from Blue every week or two, but remember, he’s always just a text away whenever you need help or support!
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’ve already received the introductory text from Blue, you may respond to it directly at +1 (855) 608-9294, which is the same number the introductory message is sent from.
If you're unable to text or haven't received messages from Blue, there may be a few reasons why:
- You are not currently enrolled as an Etown student.
- You previously replied “STOP” to a message from Blue.
- Your current cell phone number is not on file with the College.
- Your current cell phone number is not a valid U.S. number.
First, you'll get an introductory text from Blue, explaining how to use the service, and asking you some general questions. Once you begin interacting, Blue will answer any questions, or send you to a resource on campus if you require additional support.
- If you choose to opt out of this service, simply text "STOP" and you will not recieve any future texts.
- To opt back in, simply text "#START" to +1 (855) 608-9294 and you will be opted back in to the service.
Ask Blue is available to Etown undergraduate students enrolled in our on-ground programs. To chat with Blue, you need to be enrolled in a for-credit program and have received an initial text message from him.
Each fall, you will receive an initial text from Ask Blue. Simply reply to that text to start chatting and get the help you need.
Think of Ask Blue as your personal “Siri” or “Alexa” exclusively for Etown. Blue knows the answer to a wide range of questions about Etown. Since he is specifically designed to support our students, he is not good with other types of questions, so he can’t help with your math homework unfortunately.
Blue knows a lot about Etown, but he is still learning and growing! If he doesn’t have the answer you are looking for, he’ll direct you to a real person who can help. Blue is designed to make sure you get the assistance you need, even if that means bringing in additional support. If you didn’t get a good answer, feel free to let us know through this form, and we’ll update his knowledge!
Yes, Blue is available around the clock, so you can get help whenever you need it.
Your privacy is important, and using Ask Blue occurs within a closed system. This means that only a handful of staff see your responses to Blue’s questions. Any information you share with Blue is used solely to provide you with accurate assistance and support to make your experience here at Etown the best it can be!
We partner with an external company to provide this service, who adheres to FERPA federal regulations, as well as the following standards:
- No Sale of Student Data: Student data is never packaged, sold, or shared with third parties for marketing, insurance, hiring, or any other external purposes.
- Limited Data Shared: The institution intentionally provides select information (e.g., academic year, major) to help us tailor student support. Sensitive data, such as Social Security numbers and credit card information, is never shared.
- Privacy of Messages: Student text message content is not shared with any other parties and is not used to train AI models.
- Security & Compliance: All data are protected using industry best practices, including encryption and PII obfuscation, and access is limited to authorized institutional staff.