Without much fanfare FAMU officially launched its new online presence on Feb. 12 with a redesigned home page. The new FAMU.edu represents the culmination of efforts started over a year ago by a Web Strategy Task Force that involved broad consultation with the University community.
"We've been deliberate about taking the time to get feedback from the entire campus community, and have modified the site to meet the needs of our diverse users," said a university official who wished to remain unnamed. "That dialogue will continue after we launch the site."
The core Web site is intended to convey a better sense of Florida A&M University through new and updated content and more pictures, while retaining an emphasis on frequently refreshed news content. The new design and navigational structure make it easier for users -- internal and external -- to find Web content.
The new home page replaces a design the University has had since 2005; the University has had an official Web presence since 1993.
Now if we can keep the athletic department website updated with current information....
ReplyDeletei checked it out before this announcement, b/c i stay online, er, live online. the new website is pretty cool.
ReplyDeleteIs it me or is the site slow?
ReplyDeleteOverall the site looks good, but I still find it difficult to navigate. I would also like to see FAMU use the front page to spotlight research, grants, and exceptional Rattler students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Right now its just scrolling images, that for the most part mean nothing.
The website should not only be a tool to find information, it should also be used as a recruitment tool. It doesn't look like the site was design for recruitment. You still can't even apply for admission online. I remember I had to fax my application when I applied years ago. Looks like now you have to email someone to get the link to apply online.
I totally agree with Markus.
ReplyDeleteI haven't actually explored it yet, but at least its visually appealing. The websites seem to keep getting better. I noticed The Famuan newspaper is sporting a new web site as well.
ReplyDeleteActually, we have been able to apply online for quite a while now. I think that we just need to give the website some time. They did say that they appreciate ongoing feedback, but think that it's a great start.
ReplyDeleteIt's a improvement over the last page. They still have pages that need to be fixed and links to bring up and some design issues that need to be addressed. I'm a web designer as well so I know how hard it is to design and keep these websites updated. They only have one person really responsible for this and they really need a team/department just for the web side alone. As long as they have only one or two people working on the website then they won't be able to take it to the next level and will be reduced to only maintaining and updating the website.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to my last post the CMS (Content Management System)currently being use need to be replace with the Ektron CMS400 (http://www.ektron.com/cms/) same one that walmart, UF, and other big organizations use. Much easier for user to update their on sites on their own without having to bother EIT. Much superior to the one FAMU is currently using now. Been evaluating it myself for a while now. And I know some of EIT be reading rattler nation :)
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Markus. Why not highlight our student ambassadors (Miss FAMU, Mr. FAMU, SGA President, SGA Vice President)? These are the students that travel the country with Dr. Ammons on recruitment trips. Parents & prospective students need to be able to put a face with the names of our student leaders.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see them moving to a Content Management System, that will up with site updates. The University is really limiting themselves if there's only one web person. If the website was thought of as a student, faculty and most importantly donation recruitment tool, maybe they would dedicated more resources to the site.
ReplyDeleteThe site is visually appealing, but this day and age, information/content is king. The very small news and events section and the large scrolling images says to me that visually appealing trumped useful and informative.
You can please some of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time. My point? Seems like no one's pleased about anything here.
ReplyDelete@10:56
ReplyDeleteSo we should just be happy with what we have and let it go? That what you saying? I worked/attended for FAMU for 10 plus years and I know a bit about what goes on this campus. I'm happy with that they are finally doing some things, but I know the history of this campus especially with FAMU website. We get a new website and it’s an improvement over the last but main issues are never addressed (pages never updated, links not working properly, hard to find the information you looking for, etc etc). As Markus said people come to FAMU page cause of the content not because of what it looks like. We want our page to look good (because that page will be most folks first impression of FAMU), but at the same time have some substance to it If designed and used properly a web site can answer most people questions and give them the resources they need without having to call use up valuable staff time. That in turn frees up the staff to answer more specific questions and work on other projects/tasks. Also if the page is built correctly and has the right CMS it allows the regular staff to update their own information and allows the technical staff to work on other projects. With the limited staff we have in all areas we can't afford to be anything less than efficient in how our personnel spend their time at work.
To answer you question no I will never be pleased because I know we can do better and I expect better. You should always push people to keep doing more because that how you be No. 1 and that what I expect FAMU to become, because I know we can. Nobody here had said anything negative about the page for the most part we just pointing out some things.
@ 10:56
ReplyDeleteYou know i always thought a blog was for people to post their own comments (opinion) it's not all the time negative, but constructive criticism to maintain a level of high expectation for our beloved university.
Hubba THAT! and DITTO! This is what I'm talkin about. This is how we get things happening Rattlers. This is a very productive conversation here. And its things like this we should be talking about constantly and doing about faithfully. This is how and why I am a RattlerNation supporter.
ReplyDeleteDitto 12:15, 3:33 and 3:45 p.m.
ReplyDeleteAs a former web designer and network manager, I know that I am overly critical when it comes to website design. After the new site was launched I had my niece, who is a freshman at an Ivy League school visit the site and give me her opinion, here is what she and a friend who happened to be with her wrote:
"While looking for undergraduate programs, I found it a little unclear and hard to find. I was specifically looking for a premedicine program or what degree would correspond to that particular program and if I had not known from previous knowledge what major and type of degree went with a premedicine program, I would not have found it on FAMU's website."
"I was looking for information on nursing and only found " School of Nursing". When I typed in nursing into the search field, it returned irrelevant results and still did not direct me to what i was looking for."
We can do better!
4:31 PM, your little nappy headed "Ivy League Niece" obviously wasn't smart enough to get into FAMU. My 10 year old nephew was able to found on FAMU's website in 30 seconds what your "Ivy League Niece" couldn't find.
ReplyDeleteI think the website is pretty cool. As a matter of fact, my coworker's daughter turned down several "Ivy League Schools" and will enroll at FAMU this fall.
GO FAMU!!!
@5:07
ReplyDeleteThat was uncalled for and I hope you don't didn't attend or work for FAMU. Rude people like you is what FAMU does not need.
To: 12:15 and 3:33, this is 10:56:
ReplyDeleteI'm just making a comment, is all. Actually, I teach at the university -- and have taught there for almost 20 years, so I, too, have a vested interest in the success of the university as well. I had such a great experience at the university when I was an undergraduate there until I wanted my own children to "experience the experience" if you will, of attending the school. I think there is much progress to be had (and made) at the institution, and I know a lot of what goes on at the school never, ever makes the daily pages of the print media -- not locally and certainly not state-wise. I know that this site is a portal for free and unvarnished commentary, and that is all that I was making: a free and unvarnished comment. Didn't mean to step on anyone's blue, suede shoes. And now, to the poster who commented about her "Ivy League" niece. Maybe your niece isn't so "Ivy League" if she wasn't able to navigate the site. Maybe she needs a few HBCU sisters & brothers to help her engage the territory. Finally, what all this commentary tells me is that we love our school, and that we only wish it to be the best that it can be. Some things take time. Rome wasn't built in a day. The web site will not be flawless in a day.
Ditto 6:29pm!
ReplyDeleteFAMU - Highest in Character!
I'm the one that made the comment about the Nappy Headed Niece. I agree with 6:42 PM, perhaps she should let some of FAMU's current students show her how to properly navigate a website. Tell your Ivy League niece that life is good at FAMU. If she does well and graduates, maybe one of FAMU's graduates will hire her.
ReplyDeleteGO FAMU!!
@6:42 PM and 9:16 AM
ReplyDeleteYou keep saying go FAMU but every time you comment you just drag FAMU down. Instead of making rude comments why don't you go and investigate his niece claims and see if they true or not.
No website will ever be flawless but they have been working on this site for well over two years. If you going to bring up a website for a school you have to make sure all your different school have a page with the information the students need up along with register, admissions, and financial aid. Cause again that site with be people first impression of your organization so it its not all that helpful or thought out it will reflect on the organization. Then you have to hold the different departments accountable for keeping that information up-to-date. In the end they need to get that dude more help cause one or two people cannot maintain and administer a website of that size. FAMU need to invest more in its actual staff and stop hiring all those damn administrator that don't deal with the students on a daily basis and do the real work on campus.
to 11:11, apparently you misunderstood the overall point of poster 6:42. i think the poster was complimentary in his/her remarks.i did not see anything negative in the comments. maybe you should just get back to work and stay off-line. right after you read this comment.
ReplyDelete@12:29
ReplyDeleteLol maybe you need to look at your calendar before you make a comment cause if I'm not mistaken its Saturday. As for staying off-line I'm in IT so I'm always online in fact it is my job to be online. So maybe you need to take your own advice.
11:11 a.m.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your insightful commentary regarding the website and the students analysis. Unfortunately, it's the rude and ignorant posters that have become the "face" and workforce of the university hence, it's demise.
The students comments seem to me the type of feedback that the university would like to have. Unfornately, all that some posters saw was the fact that the student attends an Ivy League school. I applaud that student and appreciate the constructive feedback. One might construe the quality of the programs provided by FAMU are not on par as an Ivy League by looking at how many of the administrators children attend (or attended) "their" university. Once upon a time those numbers were high, now I'm willing to bet money that the number is 0.
"getting back to work" does not necessarily equal an 8 to 5, thank you very much. it could mean just as the comment says: "getting back to work" at whatever it is you do and/or were doing. LOL.
ReplyDelete@7:14
ReplyDeleteUh huh sure it does and yet say that to most folks their reaction would be the same. But it cool cause I was and am doing work and have been all day. Been working on improving a website for FAMU on my own time cause I'm a perfectionist like that.
3:56 PM, You're dead wrong about "0". I sent both of my kids to FAMU. They both were recruited by Columbia, Colgate, & Brown. If I had to do it all over again, it would be FAMU without a blink.
ReplyDelete8:23, you must be multi-tasking: reading gossip here and, uh, "working." yeah. right.
ReplyDeleteTo: 8:23 -- I hope your "perfectionist" web work is better than your imperfect writing skills.
ReplyDelete