New Web Sites

Summer and fall has found the web team very busy on a wide variety of projects including the completion of several projects mentioned in the Spring newsletter. We’ve done several custom web application programming projects for administrative offices as we assist them in moving paper processes to the web for more convenient processing and easier access. We’ve launched some exciting academic projects in conjunction with the Instructional Design Services team. We’ve launched several departmental websites – some of them completely new, some newly redesigned. The team has worked hard to keep up with these projects while also supporting the day-to-day management of existing websites and web apps. Let me share with you the details of a sampling of these things that keep us working hard to maintain and improve Truman’s website:

http://gobulldogs.truman.edu Redesigned for this fall, the Athletics Department website now features a new look, frequently updated information on all teams, lots of photos, online ticket sales, easily searchable hall-of-fame and news feeds which can be fed into the MyView section of the TruView portal.

http://police.truman.edu Also redesigned for fall, the University Police Department features a live homeland security indicator system, online parking ticket appeals, several additional improved online forms, a staff gallery and a much easier to navigate interface.

http://staffcouncil.truman.edu/vote A staff council was established and members were elected using an online voting system. The voting system was customized so that candidates were listed appropriately for each voter based on their log-in. Results were calculated in real-time and available to the election administrators via a web-based control panel. (Ohio – please contact the help desk at ext. 4544 :-)

http://lyceum.truman.edu A beautiful new design in keeping with the theme and character of the Kohlenberg Lyceum Series was launched. Like most of our newly launched sites, in addition to being visually attractive, the site is fully accessible to those accessing the site using assistive devices.

https://secure.truman.edu/career-s/GraduationInfo/ This new form, developed in conjunction with the Office of Advancement and the Career Center moves one more graduation requirement to the web. To best support and maintain contact with Truman’s graduates, it is so important to collect several pieces of information prior to graduation. This used to be one more tedious paper-and-hand-delivery process that each harried and exhausted graduation candidate had to complete. Now, this can be completed conveniently via the web and the two offices have GREATLY reduced paper consumption and processing issues.

http://step.truman.edu In December we will launch an extensive website in support of the grant program STEP – a joint outreach project of the Science and Math & Computer Science Divisions. The site features dynamic news items and announcements, photographs, faculty spotlights, lots of photos, easy-to-use navigation and will soon have a sophisticated web-based program application system which will be designed to help applicants choose a program focus and a faculty mentor using online interactive tools.

http://webcam.truman.edu Initially launched at homecoming, the Truman Parents project webcam site has been expanded to include 3 cameras. Camera 1 features a live view of the Quad, Camera 2 is affixed to Pickler Memorial Library and provides a live view to the north, east or south along the busy sidewalks connecting campus. Camera 3 is a “construction cam”, currently focused on the Magruder Hall site. This camera provides still shots taken every hour. We are archiving these still shots and will provide a “flip-book” feature when construction is completed so that visitors can watch the building going up. We are grateful for the funding provided by Truman Parents for this project. It has been well received by Alumni as a great way to stay in touch with campus even while far away. It also provides a nice “virtual window” for those of us working away in interior offices! We have taken great care to adjust resolution and focus to obscure fine detail and provide security for those within camera range – the idea being to produce a pretty, scenic view, not surveillance.