The Daily Bulletin Archive

By Melissa Meehan

The new college Web site, launched late last semester, is very different than the site it replaced. As people get accustomed to using the new site, they are noticing small and large changes.

The new home page has received praise for its modern look, streamlined navigation, and concentrated focus on the prospective student. But the Web team has fielded several inquiries about changes in navigation.

Using MyBuffState
The redesigned site features a new section called MyBuffState, which includes audience pages for faculty and staff and current students. Both pages contain a toolbox, located in the upper left corner, with audience-specific links to Banner, Degree Navigator, ANGEL, and e-mail.

“I use the toolbox page as my home page, making it easy to access e-mail,” said Warren Gleckel, interim chair and associate professor of educational foundations. “I like the use of ‘MyBuffState’; prospective students who have been searching the Web for college information will have encountered this with other college sites.”

Formerly in the main navigation as well, links to athletics and the library appear at the bottom of every page of the new site, including MyBuffState. This new “destinations” content area also includes links to the bookstore, the Burchfield Penney Art Center, the Career Development Center, and the Performing Arts Center. News and announcements, links to academic resources, and administrative offices also appear in MyBuffState.

“I miss the convenience of having the link to the library at the top of the page. It would be a ‘user friendly’ touch not to have to scroll down to the bottom of the page,” said Cheryl Albers, associate professor of sociology.

Finally, MyBuffState paves the way for a campus portal, but it is not yet a portal. “Web sites are always a work in progress, but I would like to be able to personalize the MyBuffState experience,” said Barbara Sherman, assistant professor of computer information systems.

Reaching the Prospective Student
With MyBuffState now in place, the new college home page is geared primarily for the prospective student but also serves as a gateway for parents, alumni, and friends of the college.

“It’s been pared down so that the viewer isn’t overwhelmed by choices and links. The slideshow is fresh and interesting, and I like all of the images and links on the bottom of the page,” said Meredith Lavelle, senior staff assistant in the Art Conservation Department.

New Flash slideshows on the home page give visitors a better feel for campus, while the application process is addressed specifically on the home page in “Getting Started.”

“Adding Web 2.0 content at the bottom of the home page allows our prospective students to connect even more as they make their decisions. I would encourage campus to help support 2.0 by adding compelling content to our community applications,” said Dean J. Reinhart, interim director of admissions.

As the new site matures, look for a wider variety of content—video, new blogs, community-submitted pictures—all designed to engage site visitors in different ways.

“I especially like the sequence of changing photos. I would like to see less written material and more video segments that provide testimonials and personal stories,” said Marian Deutschman, interim director of college and community partnerships.

Your Feedback Is Welcome
Express your own thoughts about the site: visit the Web team blog and leave an anonymous comment, send e-mail to the Web team, or call or visit the College Relations Office at 878-4201, Cleveland Hall 307.

Also, consider becoming a Web tastemaker. As you have time, take applications for a spin and tell us what you like, don’t like, don’t understand, want more of, etc. Please contact Sue Zilliox, Web graphic designer in College Relations, to volunteer.