New KU Web template to go online this summer

Site to have enhanced alert capability, uniform look

Visitors to KU Web pages will notice a new look on the home page as well as interior pages beginning later this month. The new home page and universitywide Web template are designed to give a consistent Web appearance throughout KU’s site and allow alerts to be shared more widely, while improving navigation, search functions and user experience.

The new home page, which will launch later this month, incorporates user feedback that was gathered after its launch in January 2008 and additional information from focus group testing. It is designed to help site visitors find information more easily.

“We’re moving toward a more user-centered design,” said Robin Bedenbaugh, associate director for digital media services at University Relations.

The new page and templates are being rolled out in a phased schedule by University Relations and Web Development and Interface Design. Departmental Web pages will initially be required to add a new header and footer to their pages. Complete page redesigns will not be necessary. The header features the KU visual identity signature or can feature departments’ and schools’ official signatures. There are various options available, and there are specific templates for Lawrence campus, Edwards Campus and KU Medical Center departments. The footer features links to highly visited pages such as admissions, academics, research, libraries and KU Endowment. Information about the templates will be available at www.webdevelopers.ku.edu.

University Relations and Web Development and Interface Design will hold a series of workshops to help developers incorporate the new templates. Workshops are also set for 10 a.m. July 7, 2 p.m. July 21 and 9 a.m. Aug. 12. All will be held in Budig Hall.

“We want to help people, not just technically, but from a design standpoint as well,” Bedenbaugh said.

One of the most prevalent changes in the new template is the ability for alerts to be posted on all university pages. On the current template, alerts can be posted on the home page and at www.alerts.ku.edu. A red graphic featuring information about the alert will appear at the top of all pages using the new template. A link will take users to www.alerts.ku.edu for more information about potential emergencies on campus.

“This will allow us to reach more of the campus community,” Bedenbaugh said. “If there is an alert, we can push it out to every site on campus. Before we had to count on people going to the home page.”

The new templates will be available at www.webtools.ku.edu. The toolkit will also feature resources and instructions for Web managers, allowing for easier execution and maintenance of compliant Web sites. Site developers will be able to contribute ideas for resources to include in the toolkit.

University sites are encouraged to adopt the new template over the summer, with the goal of full site compliance by August.