Exciting things will be happening this spring and summer on the University’s Web site (http://www.fdu.edu). Building on the strong base already established, Ripple Effects Interactive of Pittsburgh, Pa., will be working with the University Web Governance Committee to provide key upgrades to the Web site.

“Our three goals,” said Committee Chairperson Kenneth Greene, interim provost (Flor), “are to create a content-management system, to update the Web architecture and to wrap it all up in a contemporary design. The content management system (CMS) is key,” continued Greene, “allowing everyone to create attractive, comprehensive Web pages with illustrations and photos using a proprietary template system created for us by Ripple Effects.” CMS users will not have to know or learn HTML coding to create Web pages.

According to Greene, after early fall training, departments and groups may create and maintain their own Web pages, updating them daily if needed. Current Web pages will be migrated to the CMS by fall. Departments are encouraged to take this opportunity to work with Bill Kennedy, director of Web operations (Metro/Flor), to review their existing pages for accuracy and relevance before the migration.

The second issue is architecture. Greene indicated that research has shown that just having an attractive Web site is not enough. “We need the site to be user friendly,” he said, “and all departments with a Web presence must be thinking about the individuals who use their site and their needs.” The Ripple Effects team will spend three days on the New Jersey campuses at the end of March in “discovery” meetings with faculty, administration, staff and student groups to learn more about how the University’s site is used and what new capabilities Web-content developers are looking for.

Finally, according to Greene, Ripple Effects will wrap these changes in a contemporary design that will further the brand recognition of Fairleigh Dickinson University as well as the Metropolitan Campus and the College at Florham. This effort is vital for the University’s enrollment management efforts.

Art Petrosemolo, associate vice president of communications and marketing (Metro/Flor), will oversee the interaction between Ripple Effects and the University, working closely with Kennedy, the Web Governance Committee and the University’s colleges and departments.

Deans and department heads will be asked to recommend individuals to attend focus group meetings on Tuesday, March 30, and Wednesday, March 31, on the Metropolitan Campus, and Thursday, April 1, at the College at Florham.

For further information, contact Greene at 973-443-8081 or greene@fdu.edu and Petrosemolo at 201-692-7030 or petrosem@fdu.edu.

March 2004

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Flor =
College at Florham, Madison, N.J.

Metro =
Metropolitan Campus, Teaneck, N.J.

Information Deadlines