The LOOK, the FEEL, the CONTENT: The Web site for

Student LifeA case for a better student-centered

Web site for the Western Idaho College Student Life Department

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Outcomes of this Presentation• Present a general discussion on the current trends in

student-centered Web sites• Suggest a Web presence philosophy that is in line with

the mission of WIC• Critique the current site in relation to the suggested Web

presence philosophy• Recommend a process of integration for the new

philosophy into the current Web presence• Outline possible pros and cons for the proposals to the

WIC Student Life Department Web site

The Importance of the WebMillennials are growing up as familiar with computers as Boomers were with television. In fact, more of today’s teens say they can live without a television (28 percent) than without a computer (23 percent). With computer ownership becoming more essential, gender and income gaps are narrowing. Slightly more boys than girls have their own computers, and three of four affluent teens have access to one, versus roughly half of those below the poverty line. Through the late ’90s, the percentage of online kids continues to grow rapidly. Among those aged 8 to 17, the share rose from 25 percent in 1996 to 35 percent in 1997 to 42 percent in 1998, to somewhere around 50 percent in 2000. Of those who are on-line, 60 percent log on once or more a week” (Howe and Strauss, 2000, p. 273).

What is the Division trying to Accomplish through the Web site?

• Provide a venue for institution policies and procedures

• Support and purport the mission of the WIC Student Life Department

• Make information available online for the various sub-units of the Student Life Department

Purpose of a Student Life Web Site• Get information to students quickly and efficiently• Educate students about university departments and

services• Enable and empower students to be able to help

themselves• To reach the target populations, to be diverse, and to be

accessible to all populations• Regulates office traffic – thus more efficiency• Reduces costs

Potential Target Populations for the Web Site

• Traditional students• Non-traditional students• Transfer students• Commuter students• Resident students• Minority students• Distance Learners

• The disabled• Prospective students• Parents• Faculty• Staff• Alumni• Outside constituencies

Our Proposed Philosophy:

A student affairs Web site should be professional, student focused and

functional for all of its intended users

PROPOSAL FOR A BETTER WEB SITE

The LOOK, the FEEL, the CONTENT

The LOOK: Professionalism• Non stereotypical wording• Watch the self-deprecating language• Good etiquette• Ensure all links are working• Only launch sites that are entirely ready to go• Have a high-quality graphic design scheme• Be consistent• Make the site appealing

The FEEL: Student Focused• Structure must look toward the needs of the student• Relate to the ideal culture (keep in mind the one on one importance of a

small school)• Depict student life (picture it!)• No departmental silos• Customer service-focused• Integrate brand identity, develop feelings of personal connectedness• Apply student development theory to a virtual environment particularly

Chickering’s vector of “competency.”• Utilize the Web to aid students in transitioning into, through, and out of

the institution

The CONTENT: functionality• Easily updateable• Readable & fulfills needs• Decide which departments and services (as many as

possible)• Have as a resource but not as a complete substitute to

human interaction• Tools: offer services, contracts, assess and/or evaluate

campus programs/services

Recommendation for a Process of Integration

• Student Focus Groups• Department Focus Groups• Inter-Division Collaboration & Buy in• Talk to other institutions• Full time Webmaster Position• Marketing Techniques

Assessment

• Basic Values• Campus Ecology• Student Development• Design and Features• Student Evaluation • Accessibility

References

Reframing Organizations

The Professional Student Affairs Administrator

Student Development in College

Students Helping Students

Millenials Rising

Student Affairs Online