A new CUNY website is scheduled to launch February 11, but users still have time for a test-drive and to post their feedback by visiting the site in beta form via a link at the top of cuny.edu, the University homepage or take a video guided tour of the beta site at http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid64924289001
The new website is a comprehensive media tool designed by the University Relations Web Services Team to provide fast, efficient links to a host of useful services for students, faculty, staff, alumni and increasingly, the world. More than one million visitors searching more than five million page views rely on the University’s premier information source each month.
The new website offers quick access to the CUNY Portal, where users can log in to carry out University business, such as applying for admission, registering for classes, accessing Blackboard and other services. There are quick links to academic and library resources, as well as to all of the colleges and professional schools.
Navigation is simple. With one click from the home page, you can:
· Check the CUNY catalog for available courses;
· Find office telephone numbers for faculty and staff at every campus;
· Sign-up for e-mail alerts;
· Apply for jobs across the University—and much more.
There are also easy links to the site’s “role-based pages” above the main navigation bar, where you’ll find information, updates and links customized to specific University audiences—future students, current students, faculty/staff and alumni. Click on “Current Students,” for instance, and you’ll find student news, events, and links to online apps like e-SIMS course registration, financial aid information and student services, from child care to counseling. Or click on “Faculty/Staff” to find resources ranging from the Citizenship and Immigration Project to information about key University benefits and policies.
The Google search function is customized for CUNY data, returning more productive, relevant results with suggested links. The “About” section offers a bigger, broader source of general information about CUNY. And one of the newest features, the “Find It” section, features the most popular topics searched by users.
The new site was developed with wide involvement from the CUNY community, said Senior Vice Chancellor for University Relations Jay Hershenson. More feedback is being sought during this week’s countdown to the launch. “We have made it a priority to reach out across the University to incorporate the community’s needs,” Hershenson said. “We want to ensure that people see the new site now, and we welcome continuing public comment.”
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Throughout the site are many images—starting with the home page “billboard,” a multimedia showcase of slides and videos, featuring top news, special events, campaigns and achievements around the University. Click on the link that says “CUNY Channel” and there is a constant stream of new videos being produced on campuses across the University.
More than a year ago, the Office of University Relations began gathering opinions and ideas to assemble a deeper understanding of users’ experiences. Data, comments and suggestions were gathered through a user-satisfaction survey, and through dozens of meetings with students, faculty, staff and friends of the University. The Web Services team site design and architecture reflect these intensive outreach efforts directed by University Web Services Manager Daniel Shure. The result is a fifth-generation website that extends CUNY’s reputation for service with advanced function and innovative design inspired by ideas from across the University community.
The City University of New York is the nation’s leading urban public university. Founded in New York City in 1847 as The Free Academy, the University’s 23 institutions include 11 senior colleges, six community colleges, the William E. Macaulay Honors College at CUNY, the Graduate School and University Center, the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism, the CUNY School of Law, the CUNY School of Professional Studies and the CUNY School of Public Health. The University serves 260,000 credit students and 269,808 adult, continuing and professional education students. College Now, the University’s academic enrichment program for 32,500 high school students, is offered at CUNY campuses and more than 300 high schools throughout the five boroughs of New York City. The University offers online baccalaureate degrees through the School of Professional Studies and an individualized baccalaureate through the CUNY Baccalaureate Degree. More than 1 million visitors and 2 million page views are served each month by www.cuny.edu, the University’s website.
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