Re: New NIU web site

Barbara Pifko (CF0BMP1@WPO.CSO.NIU.EDU)
Thu, 10 Sep 1998 09:27:40 -0500

As the saying goes " Rome wasn't built in a day. " Kudos to the web
committee. You are definitely on the right track. The sophisticated
design elements of the new page are a welcome improvement over the old
page. They draw the viewer in . I think the comments from Dan
Turner's UNIV 101 class, which is representative of a large NIU
viewing population , gives validity to the design of the new page.

However, I am in agreement that links are weak. Testing Services page
is BURIED under administrative offices. Yet we have contact with
almost ever new student and many continuing students. We administered
over 4500 placement exams this spring and summer. We have links that
allow prospective and current students to register directly with test
companies for admissions testing.(ACT, GRE, GMAT, MAT). We have
information that should be under the AIM for Success link in the
Admissions heading regarding how to earned and receive Advanced
Placement, CLEP and other proficiency credits. Also our site
provides instructional and research resources for faculty and these
links should be more accessible.

As not to bore you, I will send my suggestions of possible links for
the Testing Services page to the web committee. Perhaps other units
should do the same. This will strengthen the page 's navigability .

I think NIU will have one heck of a site once the kinks are worked
out. Nice job!

Barbara Pifko
(815) 753-6051
bpifko@niu.edu