NEW ODU HOME PAGE LAUNCHES TUESDAY
A new Old Dominion University homepage will be unveiled Tuesday, Sept. 7. The streamlined site incorporates ODU's new visual identity and slogan "Changing Lives," large, bold photos and new features.
In addition, links have been reorganized to improve navigation and the second tier pages will also feature the new look.
"We wanted to make it more attractive, inviting and more easily accessible," said Maria Ferguson, director of University Marketing. "It's much more functional than before and it now includes an A-Z index, so you don't have to be familiar with the site to find the information you need. We wanted a clean, fresh look that is not too crowded or busy."
The Internet Subcommittee of the Marketing Council, which was established by President Roseann Runte in January 2003, conducted the planning and research behind the redesign of the Web site. Members of the subcommittee met with representatives from across the university to determine their needs and future initiatives while establishing standards for the site.
"We've given the Web site a facelift essentially," said Grace Little assistant director of Office of Computing and Communication Services (OCCS) who co-chairs the Internet Subcommittee with Scott Harrison, director of information technology for student services. "In the spring, we will restructure the Web and implement new design elements on the college level sites."
Victoria Burke, director of publications, created the design and Matthew Sullivan, information technology specialist in the OCCS web group, crafted the home page and second tier pages.
The home page features a large, horizontal photo that will change every time the page is refreshed. A new grouping of pictures will be placed in the location quarterly. A construction updates icon on the redesigned page leads to a site with information and maps detailing the impacts of construction to the campus.
Another new home page feature is the "Spotlight," which highlights people, activities and research across the university. The item will be updated several times throughout the month. The home page will also have a link to featured sites, myODU and news@ODU.
Load times will also significantly improve according to Sullivan. "There will be about a 30 percent improvement in download time on the homepage, making it about nine seconds faster on dial-up connections."