Among other things, the redesigned page offers bigger, bolder photographs and links to multimedia pieces about students and the institution. Information also is better categorized, helping, for example, students find the admissions information they need when deciding whether to apply to Ohio University. Click here to view the new page.

Other prominent features include stories about faculty research as well as news about the institution.

Work on the project was led by a design team that included members from the Office of Information Technology and University Communications and Marketing. Feedback from faculty, staff and students also helped shape the new look.

"The new front door has an appealing design, is easy to navigate and displays the content in a way that is fresh and inviting,'' said Renea Morris, executive director of University Communications and Marketing. "This project is the culmination of a   great team effort between UCM and OIT and is just the beginning of what we can begin to accomplish with our Web design campus-wide."

In the last month alone, Ohio University's home page received more than 1 million hits, an accomplishment that underscores its importance to successfully telling Ohio University's story, she said.

Morris also added that UCM and OIT have formed a partnership aimed at rebuilding the approach, capabilities, policies, and practices for all of Ohio University's Web and online presences.

Brice Bible, chief information officer of the university, said, "The project is a continuation of the IT improvements implemented over the past couple of years. The previously improved Web systems and architecture, along with this new front door, sets the stage for exciting campus-wide Web services." 

Bible added that UCM and OIT have invited a number of campus partners to join a Web Advisory Group that would strive to identify common needs and opportunities to best leverage the Web, a critical medium.

Today's debut of the university's front door is considered a "soft launch'' while designers work to ensure all links are functioning properly before the existing home page is retired. That transition is expected to be completed at the end of the month. In the interim, a link on the student Web page as well as the existing front door will allow visitors to view the new page.