Providing web-based solutions for efficient and effective communication

Sharing expertise through partnerships

In Fall 2001 the UNC Division of Information Resources and UNC Division of Public Affairs hired a director of Online Services to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of web-based information and applications for the UNC Office of the President and UNC General Administration, with links to the web-based information provided by the 16 campuses.

The Online Services function must collaborate and partner with multiple units to achieve its objectives. Online Services, through the use of contracted resources, currently provides web hosting, web development, content management and consultation services for UNC programs including:

• Academic Common Market

• First in America

• N.C. Center for International Understanding

• N.C. Joint Committee on College Transfer Students

• N.C. Center for Nursing

• N.C. School of Science and Mathematics

• N.C. State Approving Agency

• N.C. Teachers Academy

• N.C. Transfer Assistance in the Biomedical Sciences Program

• University-School Programs

Providing web-based support to the Office of the President

Online Services completed an array of projects during its first year.

• Added the Urchin application to track web statistics and traffic detail for the Office of the President and affiliate sites hosted by UNC.

• Created survey tools, discussion groups, self-administered email distribution lists, an online news clipping service and a public calendar of events.

• Supported an online alumni survey for UNC campuses, which provided each of the 16 campuses with a website for routing alumni responses to a third-party survey developer.

• Supported the UNC Board of Governors by putting online The Code, the board's official governing document, and a member directory, including photos and bios, to reduce production costs of both publications.

• Developed a survey tool in a joint venture with University-School Programs.

• Created a password protected website of all UNC-wide contracts for Coordinated Technology Management.

• Completed redesign of the website for the UNC Division of Information Resources.

• Supported content redesign of website for UNC Division of Academic Affairs.

• Delivered web-based tools to permit veterans to locate educational institutions eligible for VA benefits.

• Developed an application permitting students to identify distance education and e-Learning programs offered by UNC.

• Partnered with UNC Division of Academic Affairs to launch a website for the Academic Common Market (www.acm.northcarolina.edu) to help coordinate program availability and manage student participation. ACM is an agreement between 16 states that permits qualified students to apply for reduced tuition rates in another participating state if programs are not available in the student's home state.

• Collaborated with the UNC Division of Human Resources on content redesign for web pages and new orientation materials, including benefits and workplace checklist.

• Coordinated development of a web-based tool for the UNC Division of Finance to streamline the way campuses submit requests for budget changes.

• Partnered with UNC-TV to deliver the President's Five-Year State of the University address.

Enhancing the Office of the President website

In an ongoing project, Online Services is leading the redesign of the Office of the President website and ensuring ADA compliance. The new database driven site will increase efficiency by enabling content managers to modify content directly and eliminating the need to maintain multiple versions of content.

On the horizon

• Complete redesign of public website.

• Possible hosting of websites for University-School Programs, the Academic Common Market and the UNC Sponsored Programs and Research Council.

• Support creation of an online graphics library in which to store photographs and materials from the 16 campuses that are used in University publications and on web pages.

• Support creation of a web style guide and publications manual.

• Develop best practices for privacy statements, calendars and other features commonly found on campus websites.
• Develop an inventory of distance and e-Learning degree programs.
• Develop a discussion forum/bulletin board system in conjunction with the UNC TLT Collaborative to reduce development and maintenance costs.
• Post UNC Administrative Guide online to cut printing costs and allow quick updating.
• Post minutes from the UNC Board of Governors online for archival purposes.
• Post meeting materials produced for the UNC Board of Governors online to reduce costs.