On Sept. 1, users who log on to www.du.edu will see a new home page. The changes are part of a long process to make the University’s Web sites more user-friendly and effective.
Chris Stewart, Web communication director, says the new site is the result of a strategic approach to online communication.
“We looked at what our key external audiences—prospective students and alumni—are looking for and matched that up with what we want them to know about the University,” Stewart says.
He notes that the new home and top-level pages will answer the question “Why DU?”
“Up to now, it was difficult for prospective students searching DU.edu to get a good sense of what their experience here would be like,” he says.
While the new, improved DU.edu will be easier to navigate, have a more modern, welcoming look and will more effectively communicate DU’s core attributes, Stewart says everything that currently can be found on DU.edu will be available in the new system. The difference is that a content management system will make publishing and storing data more efficient.
By mid-September, DU Web liaisons will be able to access customizable templates to retain the look and feel of the University throughout the entire site. Crucial information that appears on many sites, such as tuition figures, can be updated automatically with the new system. Additionally, the new software allows for syndication of content. Users can opt to receive notification when their favorite pages are updated or track a particular type of content, such as Pioneers sports scores or news about DU research.
Stewart says the Office of Communications and Marketing and University Technology Services will continue their work long after Friday’s changes. This fall, they’ll launch the graduate and undergraduate admission sites, unveil a new site for financial aid and roll out a new campus-wide calendar and a virtual tour. Over time, all non-personal DU Web sites will be incorporated into the new content management system.
An A-to-Z directory will provide links to commonly requested sites. WebCentral, DU’s intranet, will continue to be available at http://webcentral.du.edu/.
“A fundamental difference between Web and print media is that the Web can change quickly,” Stewart says. “We’ll listen to feedback and make changes along the way.”