The presentation of BGSU via the web is a powerful communications tool. The university's web site is a recruitment tool as well as a source of information for current students, faculty, staff, and alumni. The overall presentation of information via this medium is best represented in an organized, concise, consistent manner. A campus steering committee and operational committee are working to optimize this presentation of BGSU.

The goals for this project include:

• creation of a consistent look and feel for BGSU
• easier management of content associated with BGSU

Communication Objectives associated with creating a consistent look and feel include:

• branding of the web site as a BGSU marketing component (appropriate colors, taglines, and consistency of marketing message
• improved navigation by making it easier for the key audience to find what they are looking for without knowing how the university works

Objectives associated with improving content management:

• providing a mechanism for up-to-date and accurate information
• ease of use for technical and non-technical expertise associated with managing and publishing content
• increasing the ability for shared support; for example, if a primary manager of content should be unable to manage the content, it will be easier for someone else to step in and handle it
• improved capacity to recover lost data; improved version control for CMS
• reduced duplication of effort by providing an automated system for sharing content
• providing flexible workflow for approval of changes to content

Target Audience as it relates to improving ease of content management:

• Content owners - those who have responsibility for how the university is representing itself: 80%
• Content managers - those who have responsibility for administrative activities associated with updating the web site: 20%

Important things to keep in mind:

This effort is focused on improvements associated with branding, ease of use, and content management - not an effort associated with addressing every problem or opportunity associated with a University's web site. The identification of additional opportunities for improvement are welcome, however the scope of the current project is limited to the issues identified above.

The Content Management System (CMS) which will be used at BGSU is Rhythmyx. The Rhythmyx system is currently being customized for use and implementation at BGSU. Information will be posted at this web site once training sessions have been established.

The customization of the CMS for BGSU is a project coordinated by the CIO's Office and Marketing and Communication. The Carson Group has also been involved in the design of the templates to be used in the CMS system. Examples of the BGSU templates are available for your review.

Questions regarding this project may be directed to webdev@bgnet.bgsu.edu