SIUC Web site, logo response great

The response to University Communications' request for ideas for a redesign of SIUC's Web site and identity standards is fantastic.

More than 300 emails and telephone calls have been received during the last week expressing interest in the project as University Communication's Web team works to create a new site. Focus groups are meeting this week to offer input for a new site that meets the needs of all of our users, including current students, faculty, staff, alumni, visitors, parents, and, of course, prospective students.

If you already expressed interest in participating in the Web site discussions, but have not yet received a response, please email or call Tammy L. Morris with University Communications at 618/453-1302.

Focus groups are meeting twice daily this week, March 5-9, from 11 a.m. to noon, and from noon to 1 p.m. You may participate in one of the sessions this week. Lunch is provided and you will receive a free SIUC promotional item for your participation.

University employees will have additional opportunities to participate in future focus groups organized by University Communications.

The Department of Psychology's Applied Research Consultants recently conducted a survey to gather opinions on the University's main Web page, and also is formulating focus group surveys that will help guide development of SIUC's redesigned Web site.

In addition to work on the Web page, an identity standards group headed by University Communications' Creative Services team is meeting to make suggestions about the University's logo and identity.

The committee is comprised of about 20 people from across campus, with specific goals of:

• Analyzing the University's current identity manual and its contents.
• Collectively evaluating problems and potential solutions with SIUC's identity.
• Determining strategies to clearly and consistently project throughout all of SIUC's communication methods that we are one University.
• Reviewing ways to standardize and simplify processes, both internally and externally.

The identity standards committee is making progress in meeting its goals and will be making recommendations to interim Chancellor John M. Dunn.