University revamps Web site to create unified look
12/13/2005 – University Relations
Imagine a book in which every chapter had been written by a different author. Each section was designed differently and created according to its own set of rules, resulting in a complete lack of cohesion from page to page. That’s the scenario facing visitors to parts of Georgia State University’s Web site, which is currently comprised of departmental Web pages lacking a unified look.
The Georgia State site -- a result of each administrative unit, college and academic department designing and maintaining its own site -- can be frustrating for visitors, including prospective students or alumni searching for specific information. Fortunately, the site is about to be revamped from the ground up, with university officials implementing a Web site content management system called RedDot that all departments will be required to use.
“The goal of the project is to bring some consistency to the university in terms of Web development and standards,” said Jarrett King, manager of the experience design group, the IS&T arm charged with the task of implementing the system campus-wide. “These days, with so many students using the Web as their primary tool for evaluating campuses and colleges, we really want to provide the most unified experience we can, and we don’t want students getting lost in our Web site.”
Not only will sites designed with RedDot be more user-friendly, they’ll also be easier for staff and faculty to update and maintain. Instead of creating Web pages from scratch with a HTML code, they’ll use a template into which content, such as event dates, faculty bios and department news, will go. “You maintain your content pretty much the way you would with any word processor,” King said.
Because the system requires little technical knowledge of HTML coding, those most familiar with a department’s information can update their sites rather than assigning such tasks to a Web master. King said, “Th e Web master can focus on more strategic initiatives that involve integrating and building applications rather than getting bogged down in content.”
Rashid Muhammad, Web coordinator for the Office of University Research Services and Administration, is in the process of porting his department’s old site into the RedDot system. He said that while there is a sharp learning curve for Web masters comfortable creating pages in a more traditional manner, the new system will be better for designers and end users in the long run. “Overall, this is a good move for the Web community and the university as a whole,” he said.
Muhammad’s department is one of several administrative units already using RedDot. Though his department’s old Web site hasn’t been completely converted to the new system yet, he expects the process to be complete in early 2006. Other departments have been trained in RedDot and will soon begin maintaining their sites using the system. No firm deadline has been set as to when all departments must use the new system -- but for visitors to Georgia State’s Web site, the sooner, the better.
