March 18, 2014 - 11:00pm
Vancouver Island University is today launching a [new and improved website](http://www.viu.ca) that provides greater accessibility for students, alumni, donors, faculty, staff and the public.
“We’re excited to launch our new, improved user-friendly website which will dramatically improve VIU’s online presence,” says Dan Hurley, Executive Director of University Relations. “These positive changes will keep VIU at the forefront of emerging technology and ensure we have an institutional website that’s highly adaptable, accessible and user-friendly.”
The website upgrade, the first in several years, streamlines content, provides better navigation tools and allows greater access for people using mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets.
“We’re certain that user groups, including prospective and current students, international students, faculty and staff, alumni and donors and the community, will find the site easy to navigate,” added Hurley. “They’ll be able to access important information and resources quickly and efficiently.”
VIU’s web manager Michael Carpenter, who is leading the upgrade project, says the revamped website is part of VIU’s comprehensive Web Services Plan to integrate several campus systems and take advantage of emerging innovations and technologies. He adds web browser improvements will also benefit faculty and staff who manage website content for departmental or faculty websites.
“They will have greater control over updating content,” says Carpenter. “It will be easier for them to add videos, photos and other information from any web connected device. This should result in more consistent, accurate and current online information, which is great news for students and other users.”
Carpenter says today’s launch is the first phase of VIU’s website redevelopment, and that further improvements will follow in the coming months.
“We’ll continue to work on new features and release them as they are developed,” he says. “These will include interactive components relating to slide show galleries, videos, feedback forms and more. As well, we’ll continue to make improvements to web content in terms of consistency in language and layout.”
The website redesign began over a year ago, with VIU’s web team consulting closely with user groups including students, staff, faculty and administrators.
“Collaboration will continue,” adds Carpenter. “We’re planning a series of focus group meetings in the spring with key user groups.”
With the website now live, VIU University Relations welcomes feedback from anyone – including the public – about technical or content issues, or about the general look and feel of the new site. Please email the Web Management office at web@viu.ca.
Tags: In the Community
