A new Web site, http://www.sc.edu/webpresence/, was opened in June to help academic and administrative units update their respective Web sites and bring them into compliance with USC’s new standards for appearance and uniformity.

The Web Presence site provides access to University Web templates and information on orientation sessions as well as sources of assistance for academic and administrative units whose Web sites do not yet conform to the new standards.

“The new templates are available to all colleges, schools, and departments,” said Kenny Edwards, Web presence coordinator in the Office of the Chief Information Officer, who is helping manage the new standards’ implementation. “The templates are exceptionally easy to use, but we’re here to provide assistance if it is needed.”

So far, Edwards said, nearly 100 departments already have upgraded their Web sites using the new criteria and “it’s gone very smoothly.”

Larry Pearce, director of University Publications, said help also is available from his department in evaluating a Web site, offering suggestions on design and navigation, or reviewing content. All new University Web sites must be reviewed by the Web presence team before they go online to ensure uniformity, even if a Web site administrator doesn’t request assistance in adopting the new templates.

The Web Presence initiative began on the Columbia campus two years ago after the USC Board of Trustees directed the University to develop a more robust Web presence.

A University committee with members from the Office of the Chief Information Officer, the Computer Services Division, and University Publications was formed to study and redesign the Web presence. The initial phase of the project was a redesign of the University’s main portal page, 11 directory pages, and three information sites.

Hudson Akin, vice president for university advancement who recently spoke to a Dean’s Council retreat about the initiative, said the University’s presence on the Web is its “worldwide front door” that is of paramount importance.

“Someone who may never set foot on campus will have a sense of who we are by our Web presence,” Akin said. “It’s vital that everyone realize the importance of the University’s Web sites for our institution.”

Akin cited a recent New York Times survey of 500 high school students that indicated 26 percent of the students said a campus’ Web site was “extremely influential” in their decision-making about where to attend college. “The Web presence was the fourth most influential factor mentioned by the students in terms of where they attend school and it’s becoming more and more critical to a number of other publics who are looking at institutions as well,” he said.

In addition to having an official look for its Web sites so that visitors will know they have reached a university, Akin said, it’s also important for the University’s sites to be current, interactive, and easy to negotiate. “People expect a site to be fast acting, responsive, and contain information that is updated on a daily basis,” he said.

William F. Hogue, USC’s chief information officer, emphasized that USC anticipates becoming more intentional in its management of how it looks on the Web, and how its Web information is organized.

“We want to make certain that it is accurate, and reflects as positive an image of the institution as possible,” Hogue said, noting that the University’s Web sites should be “a destination rather than just a pass-through” where people will be rewarded with interesting content.

“All of us are going to have to get used to the idea of spending more time, more energy, and more planning and thought on the Web as we consider what to do with it,” Hogue added.

“We really want to encourage those colleges and schools who haven’t gotten on board with the new look to seriously consider it. This has gone beyond a personal or even a departmental focus. We as a University must look at the Web as the single most powerful communications tool we have.”

08/03