The core Web site is intended to convey a better sense of Princeton through new and updated content and more pictures, such as this shot of the Nassau Hall cupola by University photographer Denise Applewhite.
The old University Web site will remain online at a new address for a few weeks until it is permanently retired.
The University officially launched its new online presence on Feb. 17, when a redesigned home page and core Web site went live.
The new site represents the culmination of efforts started in 2001 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 Lauren Robinson-Brown, director of
communications. "That dialogue will continue after we launch the site."
The core Web site -- the top 200 pages -- is intended to convey a
better sense of Princeton 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.
An explanation of how to navigate the new site, some quick visual
guides and answers to frequently asked questions about the project are
available in the About This Site pages, featured under "Web Site
Highlights" in the lower right portion of the home page. This section
also includes Web Site Tips, which offer quick instructions on topics
such as how to return to the home page and how to locate the Webmail
link on the home page.
The project was guided by input from the campus community through the
work of the Web Strategy Task Force, co-chaired by Robert Durkee, vice
president and secretary, and Betty Leydon, vice president for
information technology and chief information officer. Information also
was gathered through an online survey, focus groups, individual
discussions, vendor briefings and site testing. The joint effort of the
Office of Communications and the Office of Information Technology
incorporated contributions from many other University departments and
external consultants as well.
The new home page replaces a design the University has had since 1998;
the University has had an official Web presence since 1993.
One feature of the new home page is a "Quick Links" section, which
provides a drop-down menu of immediate links to popular Web pages, such
as athletics, job openings, the OIT Help Desk and weather.
Each main section of the new site -- "About," "Academics," "Library,"
"Research," "Admission & Aid," "Administration & Services,"
"Campus Life" and "Visiting Campus" -- now has a sub-navigation menu
that provides direct access to each of the pages within that section.
Each "Overview" page and many other pages include additional
information about the University through text and pictures. For
example, the "Overview" page in the research section describes the kind
of research taking place at the University and currently shows a photograph of
Princeton students conducting anthropological fieldwork in France.
The content of the site is meant to meet the needs of both external and
internal audiences. Much of the new content (such as the text on the
"Overview" pages) has been written to tell a compelling story about the
University to external visitors. At the same time, many new features
and sections are intended to improve access to information for internal
audiences. For example, a new section under "Administration &
Services" lists resources available to help faculty and staff plan
events on campus. Three new pages in the "About" and "Academics"
sections should be of interest to both types of visitors: University
Governance, Departments & Programs and View of Campus.
In addition to the main topic sections, the site incorporates new
audience-specific sections -- aimed at current students, prospective
students, parents, alumni and faculty and staff -- which act as
springboards into the site's main content as well as to other
University sites.
The navigational structure and various tools have been built to better
serve users. Visual elements clearly situate each page within the
overall navigation scheme, making it easy to find the page again. A
"Search" box now appears directly on the home page, as well as in some
audience sections and the "News" pages. The search page and several
other tools -- including redesigned A to Z lists and a Site map --
also are available on the top right portion of every core site page.
In addition, the site embraces the most current Web technologies,
including advanced cascading style sheets and XML and XSLT programming
languages. It is built on a powerful content management system, Roxen
CMS, which improves the ease of keeping Web content up-to-date.
Feedback requested
A preview of the new site for the University community began on Jan.
14. Since then, many viewers have responded with reactions and
suggestions. External users have been able to preview the new site from
a link on the old home page since Feb. 10.
To provide reactions to the new site or to request assistance, users
can fill out the Web page feedback form highlighted in the footer at
the bottom of every page. While the Web team cannot provide individual
responses to every item, it will review and consider all feedback.
"We look forward to hearing from people about ways to further improve
the site," said project coordinator Reed Meister, director of Web
communications and strategic projects in the Office of Communications.
The old University Web site will remain online at a new address
(www-old.princeton.edu) for a few weeks until it is permanently
retired.
