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We have made modifications to the navigation on the UMW Home page. These changes have been based on analysis of traffic on the site, feedback regarding desired visibility for much-visited sites, and the creation of the new Research and Diversity sites, both critical to the mission and image of the institution. These modifications were proposed by the Web Communications office and approved by the University-wide Web Advisory Committee. Changes include:
1) “Current Students” and “Faculty and Staff” are now combined in a single link labelled “Students/Faculty/Staff.” Although they had both been going to the most visited page on the site (http://www.umw.edu/resources), we had been contemplating separating these out into two sites. Judging by site behavior and feedback, this appeared to be unnecessary, and perhaps would generate confusion. So, we reverted to a single link, as it was on the old site.
2) News and Events are no longer on the main navigation. These pages are are prominently featured on the home page widget areas with the news releases and the events calendars. Removing them from the top bar, and placing them as top text links, gave us room to add prominence to other links on the main navigation.
3) Campus Advisories are now a persistent link on the home page. We are preparing enhancements that will allow for non-emergency, but important, announcements to display there. This link will provide access to these without having to display a red banner, which is reserved for emergencies only.
4) Research is now a main navigational category. At present, it is simply a splash page that announces some facts about student research opportunities at UMW, and points to the Provost and three colleges for further information. This site will grow into a showcase over time and we look forward to displaying student research work more prominently on the site as we move forward. This was proposed by the Provost, and we are excited about the potential this brings for our students and for our recruiting efforts. All faculty are asked to keep this in mind, notifying University Relations of any research work that students are doing that should be in the spotlight.
5) Diversity is one of the main goals in our strategic plan. Our diversity and inclusion programs are decentralized in management, so are in various places on the website. This Diversity site allows us to aggregate navigation to all diversity and inclusion programs and policies from one page, making it easier for the user to find, and better communicating UMW’s commitment to this goal. As with the research site, this site is at its beginning stages, but will hopefully grow in content over time as we try to bring to the forefront multicultural events and programs throughout the year.
6) Alumni are now along the top bar. Alumni are a very important audience for our site, and frequently visit to find out about events. Putting them on the top bar will help them to better find these resources.
I find it frustrating to have to search for the schedule of courses; I just counted, it is only 3 clicks, but finding the Office of the Registrar (on the Helpful Links page) isn’t easy – it gets lost in that list, in small type. Could it go on the main page, at the bottom under Academics? I would think that it is the most basic academic item…
Jackie, this sounds like a reasonable idea to me. Will do. -Cathy
I like that the changes are in sync with the objectives of the university, particularly when it comes to service.
Cathy, I think possibly changing the link for HR to “Jobs at UMW” or “Employment” may reduce some confusion on our end… students have said they click there thinking it may be our site, since our site (Career Services) is so hard to find. I also think you may want to consider putting “Office of Career Services” in the Helpful Links > Academics drop down that lists all the other things that are under the provost. right now it just says “Internships” and since we do fall under Academic Services, not Student Affairs, it may make more sense for that to be there instead of “Student Services”
And of course, I will suggest putting Career Services in the Academics menu on the first page. But if that isn’t possible I think what I suggested above makes sense too.