Although The University of Memphis Web site has a new design for the fall semester, web services is hoping that the launch of the new Memphis Spectrum Portal will be where students and faculty go for their U of M information.
“The new Web site is geared more towards prospective students and visitors,” said Joseph Matesich, University Web site manager. “But this new portal is specifically designed for University members and their needs.”
The logo for the portal is “All Resources. One Source.” In effect, the main objective of this project is a complete digital replacement for The University Web site.
“We are hoping that when this project is finished in 2007, it will completely replace the Memphis Web site for University members and they will make it their home page,” Matesich said.
The portal offers features that can be customized based on each person’s role at The U of M and offers complete control over what information is displayed.
Right now the main services offered for students are channels for courses, schedules and accounts.
The courses tab provides links to Tigerweb, degree catalogs and semester and final exam dates. The schedule tab gives a listing of the student’s current schedule and degree program, while the accounts tab gives students information on their financial standing.
“We look at this as kind of a one-stop shopping for all University needs,” said Daniel Linton, Web administer and developer. “Soon we hope that it will replace all features of Tigerweb and be the way to get into all University computer systems.”
Other features include an e-mail link, which takes a user to their Memphis account.
“Right now when you use the e-mail service you still have to log in,” Matesich said. “But soon we hope to have the portal set up so that members only have to log in once for all features and people can forget about pin numbers and just remember their username and password.”
There is also a date book feature, which allows for a customized calendar. Another addition is a sticky-note feature, where users can save notes. A group feature is a collaboration tool that allows people to create a special interest group and invite people to join and send out announcements.
The project will not be complete until the end of 2007. By then there will be financial services where departments can budget and move money around and pay bills. Human resources will be able to monitor payroll and time sheets and students will have information on what courses they have taken and what courses they will need to take.
“When this is finished students will be able to see exactly what courses they have taken and what they need to take to graduate and they will be able to register right there,” Matesich said. “So it will almost serve as a type of counselor.”
“People will think that it doesn’t have enough services right now,” Matesich said. “But they need to know that it is growing everyday and it is worth checking back every once in a while.”
Another problem is that because of the way a portal operates, those who are logging on for the first time must disable their pop-up blocker to allow access to the site. However, it is recommended that instead, people add memphis.edu to their allowed sites and this will allow access.
“It sounds like something I might want to check out,” said Omar Suboh, a junior political science major. “It seems like it might make things easier.”
The Web site is www.spectrum.memphis.edu and anyone interested in learning more may attend one of the demonstration sessions, which are listed on the Web site.
