1. Ellingsburg University Portal proposal
University of South Florida
Michael Crump, Jennifer Gallagher, and Nicholas Rau

2. Our Vision
To create the best portal design for Ellingsburg University. Our unrivalled approach to university portal design comes from our unique understanding of students and student development. By synthesizing our knowledge of portals and students, we can offer unprecedented control and choice of user service.

3. OUR Concept
Our design begins with a secure, password protected login. From that login, users will be directed to their own personalized portal based on their status as students, parents, staff, faculty, or alumni. Our multi-tiered design allows each user the ability to access individualized, highly relevant information. We have eliminated the information overload to provide users the content they want on demand.

4. the Portal will… Increase user performance
Raise quality of customer service
Lower information technology costs
Provide unified look for easier use
Help consolidate information
Webmasters have as much influence, if not more, over prospective millennial student decisions than the admissions director (Wallace, 2000).

5. Our portal will…
Be available to all members of the university community
Be personalized with user name and password
Have multiple customizable channels
Serve as the communication hub for the university community

6. your portal Will… Access student information system
Feature a customizable main page with links, announcements, and campus news
Access an interactive personalized calendar
Link to discussion boards
Access university

7. Theory in practice Person-environment congruence (Strange, 1996)
In order to have an educationally purposeful experience and guarantee satisfaction, individuals need to feel comfortable in their environment.
By creating a customized portal, the individual will create able to create a comfortable environment ensuring a positive working condition.
“Interactive capacities of computer-mediated communication lead to the formation of characteristic social aggregations.” (Strange & Banning, 2001)

8. Development Team
The following were identified as stakeholders who serve as end users or content providers, or both:
Students
Faculty
Student Activities/Residence Life
University Relations
Enrollment Management

9. Development Process End user focus groups Online/email questionnaire
Reliability of service
Ease of navigation
Accuracy and timeliness of content
Online/ questionnaire
Satisfaction assessment
Solicitation of user input
Consultation of contributors
Ease of information access

10. System SUPPORT NETWORKS
User access and authentication
Enrollment management databases
Campus newspaper
Calendar database
Search engine
Bookstore interface
Human resources
Alumni information

11. Organization of the portal
All user options will include:
Personalized greetings
Interactive calendar
University-wide announcements and news
Weather updates
Links to libraries, colleges, and academic support

12. Organization of the portal
Students
Enrollment management database
Organization Announcements
Residence Life
Work orders, RHA, room lotteries, tech support
Bookstore (online ordering)
Campus food service
Blackboard/WebCT
Single login for all functions

13. Organization of the portal
Prospective Students
Virtual admission counseling
Online applications
Orientation information and updates
Financial aid applications & FAFSA
Housing information and online applications
Virtual tours
Adult and transfer student resources

14. Organization of the portal
Faculty/Staff
Access to grades and class rosters
Professional development opportunities
Promotion & tenure information
Research support and databases
Academic technology links
Budgets, accreditation, and master planning
Human resources

15. Organization of the portal
Parents/Alumni
Homecoming & Commencement
Academic/Event calendars
Parents Association
Alumni Association
Campus safety reports and resources
Fundraising/Giving back
Parents Weekend
Overview of FERPA
With parents of Millennials being increasingly involved in the education of their students, higher education institutions must involve parents in the aspects of the university experience (Sells, 2002).

16. Design best practices Content edited for accuracy
Easy to read fonts and spacing
Simple, consistent color theme
Fast-loading graphics
Accessible to individuals with disabilities
Uniform writing style and terminology
Technical assistance readily available
Active links regularly updated

17. Selected examples University of California – Los Angeles
Xavier University
Evergreen State College
University of Minnesota
Pennsylvania State University
Our portal reflects many key traits of these institutions’ portals.

18. References
Strange, C.C. (1996). Student services: A handbook for the profession. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Strange, C.C. (2001) Educating by design: Creating campus learning environments that work. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Wallace, H. (2000, Fall). Campus ecology theory and websites: One example of applying traditional student affairs theory to technology. Student Affairs.com E-Journal. Retrieved September 28, 2004, from