Introduction
In 2008, the University of the Virgin Islands embarked on a total redesign of its website. The www.uvi.edu website that premiered in November 2008 is user-friendly and easy to navigate. The core goals identified for the site were:
* Ease of navigation
* Functional service for all users WebPolicy.pdf
* Technologically advanced
* Upgrade capable
* Efficienct, effective and economical to use and maintain
The site was created by OmniSystems, Inc. of Vienna, Va., an alumni-owned firm founded in 1993 by Ian Tomlinson and Reginald Vigilant. OmniSystems hosts the University’s site on its server in Virginia. Created to ensure browser compatibility, especially with Netscape, Firefox and Explorer browsers, the UVI website has been formatted to be compatible with all screen sizes.
Developed utilizing state-of-the-art web development software (in order to prevent security breaches or site defacement) the browser-based site features dynamic user-friendly pages with drop-down menus and animation.
The site reflects the University’s brand in that the University’s logo, wordmark and color scheme are evident on all pages bearing the uvi.edu URL. Pages for University areas outside of the uvi.edu URL (Small Business Development Center, The Caribbean Writer, Reichhold Center for the Arts), reflect distinct University affiliated brands.
Content Management
OmniSystems has designed an employee content management system utilizing Microsoft Sharepoint software. Authorized content contributors (“super users”) have the ability to make changes to pages at anytime from anywhere through their internet browsers. Additional “super user” training can be conducted on an as-needed basis. Call the Public Relations Office at 693-1057 or 693-1058 to request training for a new content contributor.
Administrative Users are able to modify existing pages and can approve proposed changes. If web page users experience log-in difficulties signing in to the faculty, staff or student intranet (INSIDE UVI) sites, they should call the Public Relations Office at 693-1057 or 693-1058. User manuals are available through the Public Relations Office.
Access to administrative or employee portions of the website is controlled. A Forms authentication service stores user names and passwords. Usernames and passwords are encrypted. All web pages where user credentials are transmitted over the Internet are encrypted.
Navigation
The home page is controlled by the Public Relations Office, which adds releases to the News & Updates, as well as information for the News Archive, Bulletin Board and Events Calendar. The Public Relations Office updates the Reichhold Center button, provides images for the home page slideshow, the Spotlight and adds items to the UVI Today blog.
Users accessing websites that do not bear the uvi.edu URL and that are not official University entities will receive a notification that says Exit the Site – “You are about to leave the UVI site to access another website.”
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