The University of Memphis Faculty Senate plans to approach the administration about the new design of the school's website after investigating further.
Some senate members are not happy about the new layout. They said important information for students and faculty is difficult to locate, while the athletics home is at the very top of the page. The new home page has the same links as the old layout but the location is not as prevalent.
"The new home page has all the links to get to other areas, but they are difficult to find," Faculty Senate President Tom Banning said.
The old layout had a drop down button on the upper left side of the screen. Now there is a menu bar across the top. However, everything that current students, future students and faculty used to find helpful from the drop down button can be found at the bottom of every page.
"It is confusing to locate the things I need," junior English literature student Zach Dial said. "They are not where they used to be."
At the center of the University of Memphis website is a large photo of students who have studied abroad from China to Brazil. Faculty members said they think this sends future students the idea of an awesome summer camp, not a top-flight research center. Academics and the research being performed should highlight the page.
"A healthy balance between marketing to new students and the mission to academics is needed," Thomas Hrach, faculty senate member, said.
Marketing was a major factor in how the new site was designed. The site was made to attract the eye and portray the University as a happy learning environment to future students. The Faculty Senate discussed the new branding approach and understands that a new way of attracting students to the University is needed. The senate wants future students to know they can receive a great education at the University of Memphis and have fun at the same time.
Current students have expressed concerns for the new site as well. Some students have had issues locating police services, their UMdrive and looking for classes to take next fall.
"I had some difficulties while trying to look up internships on the new site," senior accounting major Matt Dixon said. "Other than that, I think it looks more professional."
"I think it looks cheap," Dial said. "The organization is better, but I still don't like it."
Another concern from the senate was that the information most faculty members need is in the form of text, not pictures. The large photos used on the new layout displace the important content on the page, Banning said.
"The information students and faculty need are on the back pages," he said. "It's behind the pictures and videos."
The biggest concern the Faculty Senate expressed was that the home page does not suit informational needs for anyone. They also think the front page does not represent the University as the research institution it has become.
"This page is sent out to the World Wide Web," Hrach said. "It should portray the University [of Memphis] as a great place to learn."
The University of Memphis' website redesign was launched Jan. 15 and was aimed to resize the content on the pages. The resizing would allow for the website to fit the screen or window on any device such as phones, tablets and computers.
The Faculty Senate plans to continue inquiring information on the new website design and layout, and will discuss the topic March 26 when they meet again.
