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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.
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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.
Integrating Services in mylasalle 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 (alumname05@lasalle.edu) • 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 graduationpictorial 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 theportal. 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 e-mail. • 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 • jsell@lasalle.edu • www.lasalle.edu/go-portal • 215-991-3615
