Web Site Design Freeze

In Spring 2008 the University’s Web Standards Committee asked all departments to delay any new Web design or re-design plans until late Spring 2009. The University is implementing a Web Content Management System for its Web site which will provide the foundation for simpler and less-costly Web redesigns and updates for all campus departments in the future.

This does not mean you should forgo any planning for your updated site. On the contrary; now is the time to begin consideration of the functionality you want it to have. Here’s a brief description of the CMS project to-date, which will provide context for your planning.

Last Spring the entire www.uta.edu site was reviewed by Stamats, a higher-education consulting group. Our specific objective for the review was to discover ways to improve the entire site’s design, structure and functionality. The review strongly recommended that UT Arlington implement a Content Management System (CMS) to make it easier for all of the University’s Web managers and developers to keep their sites up-to-date and reduce the occurrence of inaccurate information throughout the site, and to provide a consistent branding and marketing message for the University.

President Spaniolo approved the purchase of the Cascade CMS from HannonHill in December 2007 and in February 2008 we began implementing the CMS. Our goal is to complete initial development and testing this spring with portions of the University Communications and OIT sites. During summer 2008, we plan to migrate the main section of the site to the CMS, along with a few selected “early adopters.” We expect to make the system available to more departments during the academic year 2008-09.

Importing each site into the CMS will typically require writing a new page template in line with the objectives and recommendations described above. In light of all this, we’re asking that departments not proceed with any re-designs until we can bring them into the new Web CMS.

So, what can you do right now? This is the best time to start re-thinking your Web site’s functionality, navigation, and the information your site visitors need. Amy Schultz, Assistant Vice President for University Communications, and Chuck Pratt, Senior Web Manager, are available to meet with departments to discuss their site requirements and discuss the CMS in more detail.

Amy Schultz
25567
aschultz@uta.edu

Chuck Pratt
23042
chuck@uta.edu



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