“Thanks to some recent work, Sam Houston State University’s Web site now features a newer, fresher look, according to officials. The university hopes to redesign the site at least twice a year to keep things from becoming ’stagnant.’ Photo from www.shsu.edu.
Sam Houston State University began the new year fresh by creating a more organized and up-to-date Web site. On Jan. 1, the university launched its new design.
University officials attempt to update the Web site at least twice a year, according to Jacob Spradlin, computer systems coordinator.
‘We try to make it more fun and attractive,’ he said. ‘We want to have the same kind of links, but we don’t want it to be so stagnant.’
Although much of the same information is still on the main Web page, the style has changed and links have been moved around. Many of the changes were prompted by student requests.
SHSU computer services moved the Blackboard link to a more prominent space, the right-hand corner of the main Web page. The change was made because more than 46 percent of faculty members are using Blackboard as a resource within their courses, the Web site reported.
The updated Web site has immediate links to all schools within the university, also a new change. Beneath the academics header, each college within SHSU is listed so prospective and current students can quickly gain access to the departments.
‘We wanted to make the change so there could be more traffic on those pages,’ Spradlin said.
The Highlights section of the Web site was added in 2003, but officials are hoping more students will notice the icon.
‘We have now recognized the need to have it,’ Spradlin said.
The Highlights information typically consists of scheduled events from the university’s main campus calendar.
Since the revamped SHSU Web site was launched, it has had more than 95,110 visitors. That number is typical, but Spradlin said because there are only a handful of students on campus, there are fewer daily visitors than normal.
According to computer services officials, in 2003 a total of 7,272,355 visitors logged on to the SHSU Web site. The number is 36 percent higher than in 2002. Spradlin estimates the university will have close to 10 million hits this year.
The growing number of visitors to the Web site has been prompted by an increase in the number of Internet users and the increasing number of events on the SHSU campus, Spradlin said.
For example, when the university hosts events like cheerleading and journalism camps, visiting students are asked to learn more about upcoming events through the SHSU Web site.
‘People have a vested interest in what’s going on. It builds a relationship with the people who come on our campus,’ he said.
The new Web page was designed by Garett Gowens and several SHSU computer service personnel worked to update the site.
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By Twila Lindblade/Staff writer
Twila Lindblade can be reached at (936) 295-5407 ext 3017 or by e-mail at:
twila_lindblade@yahoo.com