Transcript on the portal

Creating Connectivity with a Portal
James Sell
Director of Portal Communications
October 19, 2005
Overview of this Session
• To provide a perspective of the “cradle to grave”
approach to portal development.
• Demonstrate how the portal can contribute to and
enhance sense a of community on a college campus.
• To recognize the reality of assumptions that you may
make regarding your user base.
• To describe methods by which La Salle has encouraged
and - in some cases mandated – portal use.
La Salle University,
Philadelphia PA
• La Salle is an independent,
coeducational university founded in
1863 by the De La Salle Christian
Brothers, a Catholic order dedicated
to teaching and career preparation.
• The University's population now
totals over 6,221 students
– 3,358 full-time undergraduates
(two-thirds are resident students)
– 983 part-time undergraduates
– 1,880 graduate students. About
two-thirds of the full-time
undergraduates.
Characteristics of a Portal
•
•
•
•
Dynamic and Functional
Secure – Password Protected
Integrates Services (SSO)
Personalized and Customizable
Vision for Portal Development
mylasalle will be the cyberpoint of entry for
dynamic information and online services.
Evolution of mylasalle
mylasalle portal
est. 2003
PSP Role
May 2003
Employee Role
August 2003
Faculty Role
August 2003
Student Role
August 2003
Alumni Role
September 2004
New Lasallian
May 2005
Integrating Services in mylasalle
mylasalle Portal
Luminis (3.2)
Self-Service
Banner Web Products
version 6
Course Management System
Web CT
Campus Edition (4.1)
e-mail
iNotes (Lotus web mail)
version 6.5
UP NEXT: My Library – (Open Source)
UP NEXT: My Library – (Open Source)
“Cradle” - Prospective Student Role
• Prospects create their own
temporary portal accounts
to gain access to portal.
• PSP provides opportunity to
target information based on
student interests.
• Students can complete the
Admissions process
– Initiate web application
– Monitor Application status
– Complete institutional data form
What Prospects/Applicants Are Saying…
• “I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!! I check it every day. I don't
see any way you can improve it at this point, because
everything is there.”
• “mylasalle helps me get the information I want without a
problem. It’s faster than having to call and
easier. Also, you can go on at anytime.”
• “I really like My La Salle. I find it very user friendly,
which is important to me since, I am not very
computer friendly myself.”
Transition: Prospect to Student
• Once an application is filed (and pushed) , permanent
portal accounts are assigned. (Remains in PSP Role)
• Once a student is accepted and has been confirmed, the
student’s La Salle e-mail account is established and is
available for use. (Moves to Student Role)
• Students are sent information on how to use the portal to
register for their Freshman Orientation Program
Educating the Student…from Day ONE!
• Importance of the portal is introduced to students from
the point of application.
• Portal use is encouraged for swift access to freshman
orientation materials and dates.
• mylasalle is featured prominently at each Day One
orientation program.
• Students learn the the portal is their primary
communication tool.
What Students Are Saying
• “I think the portal is great!….The connection to the
student organization is great.”
•
“I am a sophomore here at La Salle and I think the
homepage of our website is boring. Incoming students
cannot see all the cool digital effects that we have once
you log into mylasalle.”
• “ I am just beginning to use the portal, checking financial
aid, etc. Easy to use, so far…I am looking forward to
using mylasalle to keep informed.
• “I love the portal its been very helpful for my freshman
year.”
Transition from Student to Alumni
• Welcome to the “Explorer Connection” –
– Provides an avenue for remaining connected to the
University with a tool that is convenient and familiar
– Role Based Services include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Find a classmate (Banner Web)
Career Networking with other alums (Banner Web)
Access to Class groups
Make a gift
La Salle e-mail for life ([email protected])
Refer a “Future Explorer!”
Alumni Board of Directors Election Balloting
Win A Trip to the Super Bowl!
Faculty and Staff
• Similar layouts/Access to Informational
“Community Building” channels
• Sample of Services available:
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
View personal information and pay stubs
Post grades (faculty)
View course schedules (faculty)
Access to EARS (early alert retention system)
Soup of the Day!
Access to Minutes/News Repositories
Directories and e-forms.
What Faculty and Staff Are Saying
• “Congrats to you and photographer Matthew V for the graduation
pictorial on the portal. A job well done.” (VP of University
Communications.)
•
“By the way, mylasalle has been wonderful for program
promotion! Thanks for all you do to keep it going and adding new
features!” (University Ministry and Service)
• It's amazing how much you were able to do on the portal in such a
short time. I want to pass on thanks from the winning composers,
too, who are very happy that people will be able to hear their work
online. The whole thing seems magical! ( Faculty Member)
• Thanks so much for posting our news on the portal. This will help
us with our self-study and re-accreditation; in other words, you may
not know how far reaching your efforts go. (Faculty Member)
Keys to Success for mylasalle!
• #1 Key to Success…Bring Your Portal to Life!
• Maintain a dynamic and functional environment –
Something to do and something new to see.
– Users who are used to accessing portals anticipate
seeing change
– Internal Application Development (php/mySQL)
– Add third party products that are only accessible by
portal.
– Get Form Happy!
• Identify Quick & Easy cost-effective tools
– Web Pasties (Scrollers, Trackers, Slides, Polls)
– Macromedia Captivate (Good for “How To’s”)
– Import “for fun” applications (Dictionary, Weather, Horoscope
Keys to Success (Continued)
• Campus Commitment: Create a “Winning” Infrastructure
– Portal Director
– Portal Tech Group – IT based
– Portal Steering Group – representatives from all
areas of the University, meet to discuss needs.
– Malleable Reporting Structure
• Lobby to make the portal the “center of the Universe” for
your school.
• Make recommendations for portal use that will force
constituents to become involved with the portal.
Current Challenges
• Assuming that All Understand the Portal
Concept
– How exactly does it differ from a web site?
• Content: How Much is Enough?
– Deciding upon how much is more than you can chew.
• How to Get Folks to Think Portal First Changing a Campus Culture.
• Tracking Portal Usage.
Forcing the Issue at La Salle
• Students and faculty will communicate using La Salle email.
• Employees will access the Campus News (weekly
publication) through the portal.
• Faculty/Staff will make requests for information using the
forms in the portal.
– Academic information (Registrar’s Office)
• Students will access mylasalle for:
– Housing (if they want a good room/roommate!)
– Course Selection: (if they want an optimal schedule.)
– Grade Reports (No longer mailed to UG Students
• Alumni will enter Super Bowl Contest through the portal.
Thank you.
Contact Information
James Sell
Director of Portal Communications
La Salle University
• [email protected]
• www.lasalle.edu/go-portal
• 215-991-3615
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