Social networking/Social Media buy-in

First, thanks to all the writers and contributors to the Student Affairs Blog. I just recently found it and must say that all the articles and insights in this community have been interesting and helpful.

I am a webmaster for the Student Affairs & Enrollment Services division, part of the communications and publications office. All of our departments function as their own entity, but our office serves as the print and web shop for the division.

We are currently wrapping up an 18-month project to transition our departments' websites to a content management system, along with a new layout. We are all excited and are eager to move to the next level.

Part of the plan for the 'next level' is to begin integrating social networking to our online presence, which includes Facebook, Twitter, etc. This would be served from the division level and would  promote all departments.

Though the division's administration is aware of social networks and there are already accounts set up at the university level (and even within our division) there is still some hesitation to get started.

My question are: How have you all presented social networks to your administrators to get buy-in? Has it been a tough sell for some? Did you host student forums to gauge receptiveness from starting Facebook, Twitter, etc. for student affairs.

The bottom line is I don't want to present these concepts because everyone else in our university has them, but rather, I believe there is some real marketing value in being involved and providing our students with other channels to receive division-wide information.

Thanks.