Web Project FAQ
Q: Why did we need to change the website?A: University websites play an important role in informing audiences and in shaping their perceptions of the university, so we set out to create an electronic front door to the U of A that more accurately reflects a world-class teaching and research university.
Q: What is the strategy behind the new website’s navigation structure?
A: After extensive consultation inside and outside of the institution, the site navigation is designed to be more user-friendly to all audiences. The highest consideration was given to external audiences, particularly qualified prospective students that are considering attending the U of A. In general, prospective students follow a four-step process in evaluating a university.
- Facts at-a-glance (how many students? location?)
- Does the university have programs I’m interested in?
- How do I apply? (entrance averages, deadlines, costs, financial aid)
- What can I do when I get to university (clubs, activities, sports)
That is how the top level navigation was formed using About the U of A, Academics & Research, Admissions, and Campus Life. The Offices and Services category lists offices that deal primarily with students first, then lists offices of interest to faculty, staff and other audiences. Non-student audiences also successfully navigated this format in user testing. The links within each of the five sections of the navigation provide more context so the user has an idea of what information to expect after a making a click.
Q: What is the strategy behind the new design?
A: The main image space is the most significant new feature that helps “tell the U of A story,” demonstrating to the world the impact of learning, discovery and citizenship at the U of A. For our Centenary year, we elected to pull the colours of the Centenary logo and combine with traditional elements like the university seal and ExpressNews. Quick Links from the old site for internal users were removed from prime, center screen “real estate” to places in the header, footer, and navigation to allow more imagery for external audiences and positioning. One of the biggest complaints about the old design was a lack of imagery that helps the user get a sense of the U of A campus and community.
Q: Why does the site look different than the “preview” site launched in December?
A: We received very consistent feedback from the campus community and beyond regarding the “scanability” of the navigation, the colour fades in the header, the placement of the Centenary logo, and other features of the preview site that prompted us to make changes.
Highlights include:
- Additional images and feature stories
- A “cleaner” left-hand navigation
- A more formal design with the U of A seal in the upper-left corner
- A simplified header and footer
We will continue to have a feedback mechanism on the homepage footer to collect additional comments and suggestions for improvement.
Q: Who is leading the web project?
A: The Web Project is jointly sponsored by the Office of the Vice-President (External Relations) and the Office of the Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President (Information Technology). Project management is being provided by John Carfagno, Associate Vice-President (External Relations) and the Creative Services team.
Q: What is the best way to provide feedback on the new website?
A: There is a “Feedback” link on the footer of the homepage (www.ualberta.ca). This is a permanent feature of the new website and will be monitored in order to facilitate continuous improvement.
Q: Is Creative Services migrating to a new web content management system (CMS) ?
A: Yes.
Q: How/when will the new CMS be implemented?
A: An open request ror proposal will be sent out the first week in March 2008. The cross-functional CMS Committee will evaluate the proposals in April 2008, anticipating that the new system will be online and available for use as early as July 2008.
Q: Does my U of A Faculty/organization need to adopt the new CMS?
A: No. Using the new (or current) centrally supported CMS managed by Creative Services is optional, it is not a university mandate.
Q: Will the current CMS created by Creative Services continue to be supported?
A: Yes. The current CMS will be maintained and supported for at least 2 more years (through June 2010).
Q: Does my U of A Faculty/organization need to conform to the new web templates?
A: No. It is not a mandate, but it is preferred so there is a sense of continuity for users as they move through the U of A web presence.
Q: How can my U of A Faculty/organization adopt this template?
A: Please contact Tannis Gibson. The first wireframes and templates will be available for use by April 2008, which will include a checklist/guideline document about the process.
Q: I need help redesigning the website for my U of A Faculty/organization. What do I need to do?
A: Please contact John Carfagno or Tannis Gibson. They can walk you through possible options, resources, and methodologies for helping you with your web project.
Q: What is the purpose of the rotating images on the new homepage?
A: These are primarily designed to profile U of A people and programs, particularly those that illustrate learning, discovery and citizenship. This is our new vehicle to illustrate what is happening at the U of A. Of particular interest are stories demonstrating teaching excellence, students who are making the university proud, great research, big events on campus and the university's participation on big issues. Additional stories will be added to the rotation over time to ensure a balance of frequency and variety for visitors to the home page.
Q: How can my U of A Faculty/organization be featured in the main image space or on Express News?
A: Please contact Deb Hammacher on the External Relations team or Richard Cairney in Public Affairs. They can advise you on the guidelines for this content.
Q: My U of A Faculty/organization would like to post an item to the Notices on the homepage. What is the process?
A: Please contact Tannis Gibson. Notices are ideally used to communicate issues that have a broad impact at the U of A campus across audiences.
Q: What happens to the “Centenary Spotlight” space in 2009 when the 100th anniversary is over?
A: This will be a second level news item that will rotate more frequently than the main image, but less frequently than ExpressNews.
Q: Can I still access the old version of the U of A website?
A: Yes. The old version will be available for through May 2008. Click here to view.
