Student Affairs.com Case Study 2003 Georgia Southern University Robert Bryant, Tana Pennix, Peggy Winskey

Georgia Southern University Purpose Our committee has been charged by the Vice President for Student Affairs of Western Idaho College to review and propose changes to the Student Life Web Site.

Georgia Southern University Focus Topics Statement of philosophy for the Web site Divisional Web site –Why is it important? –What is the Division trying to accomplish through the Web site? Who is the targeted audience? What does the literature have to say about student affairs Web sites?

Georgia Southern University Statement of philosophy for the Web site Student Affairs at Western Idaho College is dedicated to providing information and facilitate accessibility to a diverse array of programs and services to augment and support out of class needs that complement the student’s in-class experience.

Georgia Southern University Philosophy Statement Boyer’s “Six Principles of Community” provide a framework for Western Idaho College’s philosophy statement fostering an environment that will enhance and integrate the life long process of intellectual, occupational, physical, interpersonal, and emotional development of all students.

Georgia Southern University Boyer’s “Six Principles of Community” I.Purposeful – a place where faculty and students share academic goals and work together to strengthen teaching and learning. II.Open – a place where freedom of expression is uncompromisingly protected and where civility is powerfully affirmed. III.Just – a place where the sacredness of the person is honored and where diversity is aggressively pursued. IV.Disciplined – a place where individuals accept their obligations to the group and where well defined governance procedures guide behavior for the common good. V.Caring – a place where the well being of each member is sensitively supported and where service to others is encouraged. VI.Celebrative – a place in which the heritage of the institution is remembered and where rituals affirming both tradition and change are widely shared.

Georgia Southern University Divisional Web site Why is it important? –The key word for Student Affairs in the 21 st century is “connectivity”, which usually refers to linking up to the internet. –The web provides access to an almost limitless amount of information on practically any subject.

Georgia Southern University Community “Connectivity” The ever-evolving and increasingly powerful information and communication technologies have fundamentally changed the nature of communities. –Chat rooms, discussion boards, and on-line courses facilitate on-line communities. Elling and Brown (2001) offer two examples of institutions that utilize technology for developing and enhancing campus community. –Electronic calendars of events –Chat rooms for students both on and off campus, faculty and staff

Georgia Southern University Divisional Web site What is the Division trying to accomplish through the Web site? –Pro-Actively responding to the transformation of the way services and information are delivered not only to the campus community but to the world at large. on-line applications, i.e. admissions, housing, scholarships, financial aid Web directory Video downloads of campus life On-line registration Timely updated college information

Georgia Southern University Who is the targeted audience? Students –Prospective –Incoming –Current –Alumni Parents –Of incoming freshmen –Of current students –Of alumni Faculty, Staff –Current –Prospective –Departments –Divisions Community –Local –Global

Georgia Southern University What does literature have to say about Student Affairs Web sites? Literature, written both before and after the proliferation of technology, supports the recognition of the web experience as a part of the college environment. In Coming of Age in New Jersey, Moffat (1989) found that “college from the student’s point of view was a combination of academic and outside- the classroom education.” (p.54).

Georgia Southern University Literature continued: Technology is reshaping the world of student affairs; however, is being done so with little or no analysis of it’s potential for good and bad. Personal interaction is being replaced by the impersonal use of on-line service. Student Affairs is essentially student focused and interpersonal, and the web sites should reflect the school’s core values.

Georgia Southern University Critique of Current Web site –WIC Web site does not meet the following thirteen Basic Values supported by Will Barratt Inclusion: all students, student groups and student organizations must be included in material presented in the site. Representation: all departments and divisions in student affairs, and allied departments must be represented. Active: content must contain active information such as current events, schedules, names, dates, and times.

Georgia Southern University Thirteen Basic Values Informative: content must contain regulatory information such as codes of student conduct, and the student government constitution. Interactive: the web site must provide mechanisms for student interaction. Currency: all information must be current and none out of date. Convenience: the site must be designed for easy use. Community Building: the web site must link appropriately to the campus, the community, and the world.

Georgia Southern University Thirteen Basic Values Developmental: web site must student development goals. Learning Focus: web site must promote appropriate learning goals. Clarity: web site must have a written set of goals and measurable outcomes. Accountability: site must contain evaluation mechanisms such as feed back, sections, and counters. Accessibility: site must meet accessibility guidelines.

Georgia Southern University Specific Technical Mistakes Design –Text is not in high contrast with any background color or images, leading to poor printing quality –Pages do not work within the structure of the common monitor size which requires more scrolling –Does not offer a “printable version” of site pages –Does not provide downloadable college forms –Lack of continuity both in color scheme and in form Content –Lack of relevant information about campus life and career services –Does not provide the following information: page developer and/or contact name, , postal address, phone numbers, and counters (preferably not visible). –The same policies and procedures are not department specific –Lack of professional layout –Scrolling text window on the Athletics link is distracting, illegible, and scrolls entirely too fast.

Georgia Southern University Specific Technical Mistakes Responses –No contact information, link not available –No department contact name of information –Only phone number given is an extension, no referral name included Links –Career Services link is expired –Residence Life link is under construction –There are no links to and away from page

Georgia Southern University Proposed Web site revisions supported by Chickering and Gamson Chickering and Gamson (1991) identified seven principles of good practice for teachers, which apply equally as well to student affairs educators: a)Encourage student-faculty contact, b)Encourage cooperation among students, c)Encourage active learning, d)Give prompt feedback, e)Emphasize time on task, f)Communicate high expectations, and g)Respect diverse talents.

Georgia Southern University Proposed Revised Web site Revisions Include: –Philosophy statement –Link for “Text only” –Vice President of Student Affairs contact information –List relevant student service departments and allies in alphabetical order –Links to college, local, and global headlines

Georgia Southern University Revisions continued Revisions include –A site index –A key word search dialogue box –A message from the Vice President –A student class and activity calendar –Brief outline of what information each link contains –Site visitor counter

Georgia Southern University Revised Web site Template Point and click on hyperlink to view template Template does not include active hyperlinks Note: this hyperlink may not work on all versions of MS Office Power Point. If this link will not take you to the template automatically, open up internet explorer and type the above URL into the address bar.

Georgia Southern University References Winston, R., Creamer, D., Miller, T. (2001, p. 8, chap. 4). The professional student affairs administrator, educator, leader, manager. Lillington, NC, Brunner – Routledge. Earratt, W. (2001, May 11). Models for evaluating student affairs websites. Student Affairs On-line, Vol. 2, No. 2. Retrieved February 20, 2003, from Wallace, H. (2000, Fall). Campus ecology theory and websites; one example of applying traditional student affairs theory to technology. Student Affairs On-line, Vol. 1, No. 3. Retrieved February 21, 2003, from Web Design Guidelines – Student Affairs Computing Services. (n.d.). Retrieved February 20, 2003, from Gamble, A., (2002). Community Development; programs, practice and a glimpse into the future. College Student Affairs Journal, 22, Boyer, E. (1990, p.7). Campus life: in search of community. Princeton, New Jersey. Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.