StudentAffairs.com Virtual Case Study 2005 Ellingsburg Portal “Universities have a complex set of relationships with a wide variety of constituents. The new internet based relationships offer a unique opportunity to think more holistically about our customers and how we relate to them…They want information and services that address their needs” (Katz & Associates, 2002, p. 17). Cassandra Funk Amber Kosik Lisa Niescierenko Julie Sanzone

Campus Web vs. Portal Portals provide many benefits not available through the ordinary campus home page. Examples of these are: Personalization “A portal is designed to recognize a visitor based on his or her role, status, and personal preferences” (Jafari & Sheehan, 2003, p. 9). All information and resources in one central location Students using the portal as opposed to the general campus home page will be more likely to find and take advantage of available resources. This will lead to more students experiencing a more enhanced college life. Security/Confidentiality Requires users to log-in, preventing outside users from access

Considerations in Designing Portal Q: Who is the target audience? A: students, faculty, and staff Q: What are the needs of our audience? A: convenient access to resources, a centralized source of campus information including news and activities, access to tools for academic success Q: What do we hope students, faculty, and staff gain by using the portal? A: establishment of a long-term commitment to the university (Katz & Associates, 2002), increased integration into the campus community, greater awareness of current campus affairs (Baumgardner, 1997)

Channels to Include Bursar and Registrar (Tiger Net) Provides students with access to their course schedule, registration, student account, etc. Residential Life Addresses all aspects of the residential campus including dining services, security, health services, judicial services, etc. Student Activities Encourages student involvement in educationally purposeful activities Calendar Assists students in developing effective time management skills Academic Course Management (Blackboard) Encourages students to take an active role in their academic pursuits

Channels Continued Search Offers a Google TM search of the University web site as well as directory searches for students and faculty/staff. Library Services Provides students with access to their library account as well as electronic resources and the library database News Keeps students informed on local and national issues Webmail My Preferences Allows students to add friends, classes, clubs, and weather options to easily access. Weather

Planning Committee A representative from the following departments Bursar Registrar Student activities Residential life Library News source (campus newspaper) Disability Services (to approve ADA compliance) (Jafari & Sheehan, 2003) Several students of varying classes, degrees of study, and cultural backgrounds to serve as a focus group

Feedback Responses and ideas from people on the committee Monitor the hits that each area of the Portal receives to see what students make use of most On-line surveys to random student populations to evaluate their knowledge and use of the Portal. Items on survey would include: Ease of use, ease of customization, frequency of use, etc. Monthly evaluation from an IT standpoint addressing effectiveness of the portal and the efficiency of maintaining/operating the portal (Jafari & Sheehan, 2003)

Single Sign-on When a student signs on to the Portal for increased convenience they will have access to their account in the following offices and departments: Registrar/Bursar (Tiger Net) Academic Course Management (Blackboard) Webmail Library

Portal Organization Separate homepages for students and faculty/staff Items receiving most hits on university web site displayed most prominently Options to customize your personal home page Tabs at the top of the page addressing most prevalent channels

Assumptions about Ellingsburg In designing a sample Portal for Ellingsburg University, we made several assumptions about the university including: Bursar and Registrar accounts are available to students and faculty on-line through a single server called “Tiger Net” Academic Course Management is widely used in the form of Blackboard Budget of portal implementation is not an issue

Logout Faculty/ Staff Students 18°F Feels Like 3°F Current Weather My Calendar February customize HomeWebmail Student Res-LifeTiger Net Ellingsburg University 1889 Portal Search Ellingsburg News: 2/17 Food services announces new meal options 2/16 Women’s basketball clinches conference championship while men fall in over-time. 2/16 Chinese New Year celebration is a big hit! 2/15 Greek life already posting top service hours for the year. 2/13 Faculty senate convenes on proposed revisions to the academic integrity policy 2/11 Over 100 students attend hiking trip with outdoor recreation. National News: 2/18 President Bush proposes education budget cuts 2/17 Woman found alive weeks after avalanche 2/15 Hockey officials meet to strike a bargain with players 2/15 Celebrities go big to help tsunami victims Customize My Portal My Preferences My Friends Add friends My Clubs Add clubs My Weather Add weather My Classes Add Classes Ellingsburg Events Today: 6:00pm Choir Concert – Chapel 6:30pm Swim Meet – Natatorium 8:00pm Jerry Seinfeld – Auditorium Tomorrow: 12:00pm Hamlet – Theater 5:00pm Dinner on the Lawn Backboard Welcome, Joe Student Activities Library Services

References Baumgardner, G. D. (1997). Implementing the internet into higher education. Cummings & Hathaway Publishers. East Rockaway, NY. Jafari, A. & Sheehan, M. (2003). Designing portals: opportunities and challenges. Information Science Publishing. Hershey, PA. Katz, R. N. & Associates. (2002). Web portals & higher education. Jossey-Bass. San Francisco, CA. Model Portals: Pennsylvania State University Portal. (2005). Trinity University Portal. (2005). Good Practice Site: Uportal by JASIG