Bridgeport.edu Redesign: Background and Next Steps

As folks are entering the redesign process from different areas of the university, I thought it would be helpful to provide a bit of background on the redesign project as it stands now, who's involved, and the next steps in the process.

Brief Background
The current bridgeport.edu site is several years old, and in fall 2009 the University has partnered with Datatel, a vendor with extensive higher education experience, to embark on a full redesign of the site.

The primary goal of the new website is to assist in recruiting prospective students and increasing applications. The new site will be paired with the implementation of two software products,

1. a new software product for Admissions called ActiveAdmissions. ActiveAdmissions will allow UB Admissions to manage the Admissions process more efficiently and assist in meeting recruitment goals.
   
2. a new software product CMS (Content Management System) that will retain the ability for non-technical authors to edit the website.

What's happened to date?
So far, the University has hired a Web Manager (me) to lead the content development process, and to collaborate with appropriate members of the UB community in developing new and engaging content.

Navigation Outline Delivered- 11/19 Datatel has delivered a document outlining broadly how content will be structured in the new site. A collaborative effort has been underway to work with the community in providing detailed feedback to to Datatel.

Who's Involved?
In any web redesign, input from a broad team of representatives is needed to make the project a success. The Projects Office has ultimate responsibility for the technical implementation of the redesign.

Working with the UB community, the Web Manager is responsible for developing new content, imagery, and features in the new site.

A broad group consisting of the following representatives was consulted Fall 2009 to work with Datatel, and is providing ongoing feedback.

This group includes:

Bryan Gross
David Brady
Diane Mirvis
Amanda Christie
Francis Zolli
Hans van der Giessen
Karen Siclare
Karissa Peckham
Larry Orman
Margaret Zayan
Mary Jane Foster
Matanya Elchanani
Michael Giampaoli
Michael Grandison
Michael Spitzer
David Teo
Richard Yelle
Sandeep Mannava
Stephen Healey
Steven Boyd
Terri Roma
Edina Oestreicher
Ken Holmes
Susan Butler
Thomas Ward
Sweta Gaikwad

Next Steps
Some major upcoming dates:

December 29: UB Content Editors and Approvers must be appointed by each Administrative Department - send appointments to danielalves@bridgeport.edu

January 4, 2010: Creative Design Presented to UB

January 6, 2010: Deadline to Schedule your initial Content Review Meeting: Administrative Departments 

January 20, 2010: Deadline for Appointing Editor and Approver: Academic Depts.

January 28, 2010: Deadline to Schedule Content Review Meetings: Academic Depts.