Campus Collage

	Sportsline
	New Home Page Takes Simple Approach
	Briefly Noted
	With Respect
	In the News

Borderlines

In Focus

Expanded Bookshelf

Opportunities For Giving

Helping To Make CSU, Chico Better

A redesigned home page for CSU, Chico's World Wide Web site was launched in October. The change to a new "digital front door" for the university occurred with little fanfare; however, those involved gathered for a few sparkling cider toasts in the Meriam Library's Instructional Media Center.

The purpose of the redesign was to simplify the existing page, add features for new users and people off-campus, and communicate a sense of what Chico is all about. The two earlier home pages were oriented toward on-campus users, who account for most of the daily traffic. But as access to the Internet has increased, it's increasingly clear that university Web sites must serve both as intranets for on-campus users and as entry points for off-campus users. Evidence nationwide indicates prospective students, parents, faculty, and staff use university Web sites to judge an institution.

The new page includes the following features: A group of eight headings along an arch left of the photo, which helps users navigate the site; an event listing updated daily and highlighted as "Chico Today"; a bit of information that takes you "Inside Chico" to see what the university is all about; and a search engine below the photo that features a way to limit your search to a portion of the university Web pages.

Students played an important role in redesigning the home page. In fall 1998, the University Web Committee evaluated the home page and made a list of eleven improvements, which were given to the Department of Communication Design's advanced Web design class. The students formed mock design firms and came up with six new proposed page designs. The Web committee, in consultation with professors Phil Quinn and Fred Condo, chose the outstanding features of the proposals, and a draft page designed by students Steven Chow, Ezra Hockman, Thomas Mitchell, and Adam Valentiner was the basis for the new home page. The Instructional Media Center hired Earl Jessee -- a graphic design student and veteran Web designer -- to complete the new page. Campus community members reviewed and refined the page last summer.

Senior Earl Jessee at his computer in IMC Graphics. Behind him is a new look for www.csuchico.edu.