Visitors to the University’s Web site within the next few months will find changes to its layout as a task force works to make the site easier to use.
“The goal is to make it more informative and useful to external populations, especially prospective students,” said Deborah Carver, University librarian and interim associate vice president for information services. Carver, who is heading the project, said the task force was formed at the request of University Senior Vice President and Provost John Moseley.
“The current Web site is very internally focused, which is great for students, faculty and staff, but we want something accessible to
parents and prospective students,” said Kirstin Hierholzer, the assistant director of the library’s center for educational technologies.
Carver said the University’s current Web site is functional but lacking.
“It doesn’t reflect the quality and vibrancy of the University of Oregon,” she said.
Carver said the primary home page and a set of secondary Web sites should be running in their new forms before the start of fall term, ideally by Sept. 1.
Hierholzer said the task force is currently meeting with various administrators on campus to discuss ways to improve the Web site’s navigation, look and feel. Future steps may include usability tests, which would give representatives from various groups that use the Web site — prospective and current students, faculty, staff and alumni — a chance to preview and provide feedback on the Web site changes.
The task force is looking at Web sites of peer institutions for ideas. Carver noted that many other
universities run graphics and
accompanying general interest news stories on their Web sites, something the University currently does not do.
“We want the page to be more dynamic, more current, more interesting,” Carver said, adding that some of the photos on the current Web site were taken years ago.
Carver said the new Web site will be divided into different sections for different populations. For example, current students will click on a link that takes them to Web sites relevant to students.
Joe St Sauver, director of user services and network applications at the University computing center, wrote in an e-mail that the University previously redesigned its home page in 2000 and 2002. The 2000 upgrade involved extensive changes such as a new electronic campus directory, and the 2002 upgrade centered on the University’s adoption of the “O” logo.
Web site users can contribute suggestions to the redesign task force by clicking on the “Web
Redesign Comments” link at www.uoregon.edu. Carver said the task force has received about 100 comments since making the suggestion form available three or four weeks ago. She said a common
response from people already
familiar with the Web site is that the page is easy to use but needs more flair, and the main complaint is that the page doesn’t tell much about the University.
“We’re looking at function as
well as attractiveness, and we want to give a strong message about
the University and the quality of education that takes place,” Carver said.
Group to redesign Web site to reflect ‘vibrancy’ of UO
Daily Emerald
April 5, 2005
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