WSU will launch a redesigned main home page (www.wsu.edu) on March 6 that features video and audio content and streamlined navigation.
President Elson S. Floyd initiated the restructuring of the home page last year. Among the key goals he identified:
• Simplify the look and reduce the number of links, making navigation easier
• Incorporate new media to tell the WSU story
• Emphasize content that advances WSU’s reputation, mission and strategic goals
• Reorganize the links and content to provide information pathways, by topic, for all audiences
• Provide direct links to the regional campuses, extension and distance learning to emphasize WSU’s widespread presence
The project team in University Relations incorporated these goals and key principles from the university’s brand refresh in developing the new approach. As a result, the home page will feature an area for videos, slide shows, etc., that highlights WSU’s teaching, research and service activities. In addition, the number of primary links has been greatly reduced in order to focus on topics of broad interest, including general information about the university, admission, academic programs, services, etc.
“We believe the university community will be as pleased with the solution as is President Floyd,” said Tim Pavish, vice president for University Relations. “Visitors to our home page will find that major areas of the WSU organization, including links to all of our college sites, are more easily accessible.”
Links to information of interest to employees, students, visitors, parents, donors, alumni and other stakeholders will be available a click or two from the home page. Quick Links pages for faculty, staff and current students have been created, and a link for parents has been added.
“The University Relations team looks forward to working with the WSU community on an ongoing basis to identify and create the dynamic content that will tell the university’s story on our home page,” Pavish said.
Several campus stakeholder groups have been briefed about the redesign, and their input has been incorporated into the new approach. Additional briefings will take place during the next two weeks. The project team anticipates that additional refinements to the home page-level content will take place after the March 6 launch.
