The Wesleyan Connection

Wesleyan has launched its new online look with a completely redesigned homepage.

The new, image-rich homepage, http://www.wesleyan.edu/, offers rotating photographs of campus life, university factoids and departmental highlights that change when the page is reloaded. The most noticeable change to the new homepage is the open layout that emphasizes information, facilitates navigation, and refocuses content for Wesleyan’s primary target audiences, including prospective students, their parents and external users.

Under the images are recent headlines, upcoming events and title selections from a new, open access Community Blog. All members of the Wesleyan community can author a post, and anyone can comment on a post.

“Everyone at Wesleyan is invited to join in the conversation on the Community Blog,” says Web Redesign Team member Mark Bailey, director of strategic communications. “Many provided great ideas and expressed the hope that we all will use it to bring faculty, student and alumni news to the attention of homepage readers. Only your participation can make the Blog a distinctive online space that reflects Wesleyan life and achievements.”

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Anne Marcotty is a senior designer in the Office of University Communications. She is a member of the Wesleyan Web Redesign Team, which is redesigning the university web site, starting with the homepage, the major landing pages and the Office of Admission site.

Q: Anne, you came to Wesleyan in 2001. What were you hired in as, and what is the objective/purpose of your position?

A: I was hired as senior designer in the Office of University Communications. I design and produce many of the print pieces and some of the web sites for various departments in the university.

Q: Who are your “clients” on campus? Does this repeat year to year?

A: I have worked with many of the academic departments and programs over the years, but much of my recurring work is with University Relations, particularly the events staff and the Wesleyan Fund.

Q: What are a few examples of recent projects you’ve been working on?

A: The Reunion & Commencement brochures (more…)

Wesleyan has launched a web redesign blog to solicit input from the Wesleyan community.

The web at Wesleyan is undergoing major design and functionality changes, and the Website Design Team is seeking input from the Wesleyan community.

“This team has been charged with preparing a new website design strategy for the university,” says Melissa Datre, director of the Information Technology Service’s New Media Lab. “Through their request for feedback, peer school interviews, and faculty and student input, they will, over the next several weeks, propose to a new design concept for Wesleyan’s website presence.”

In early March, the team launched a web redesign blog to give every member of the campus community the opportunity to participate, contribute thoughts, (more…)

Jenny Fields '03, digital asset and project manager, color-corrects and edits university images.

Q: Jenny, in November 2008, you became Wesleyan’s first digital asset and project manager for University Communications. How would you describe this role?

A: I am in the process of setting up and maintaining a digital repository of photos, logos, and other digital collateral that is used in the University Communications Office, and other offices on campus. I’m also a photo editor, meaning that I respond to photo requests, do color correction, handle stock photography, and schedule photographers for events.

Q: If someone, say from the Office of Admission, needs a photograph of student activity for the department’s website, how would he or she go about getting an image?

A: A departmental request can take anywhere from an hour to a week, depending on how complicated the request is, and how many jobs are ahead of it. If the photo does not exist, then it has to be taken, which can be done, but not without setting up a shooting schedule.

Q: Does Wesleyan have a photo database? What is included in this database and who can access it?

A: Technically, the University has several photo databases. Some are open to the public, some only to those on campus, and some are for internal use only. The database that I administer is primarily for internal use, but the photos in it are seen in almost every publication and web page that our team produces.

Q: If an alumnus, faculty or staff member needs a photograph taken on campus, should he or she contact you directly? (more…)

Wesleyan's content on iTunes U comprises more than 100 tracks available for download.

Wesleyan has become the latest institution to join iTunes U, a component of Apple’s iTunes Store that provides free educational audio and video content from the world’s foremost higher education institutions, museums and public media organizations.

Wesleyan joins more than 160 higher education institutions who have met Apple’s strict quality control requirements and have been allowed to post educational content on Apple’s iTunes U site.

The initiative was the result of a joint effort between University Communications and the New Media Lab. The departments worked within the guidelines provided by Apple to create a web-based presence that showcases unique workshops, lectures, WESeminars, interviews, athletic competitions and other memorable events. (more…)

Wesleyan students can submit videos for the "Minute with the President-Elect" contest. The grand prize is $100 cash.

If you had one minute to speak with newly-elected President Barack Obama, what would you say?

Wesleyan undergraduate, graduate and Graduate Liberal Studies Program students are invited to video-record a response to this question with a chance to win a $100 cash prize.

As part of Wesleyan’s “Minute with the President-Elect” challenge, students can create and upload a video to Wesleyan’s YouTube site. Site viewers can log in, view the videos and rate their favorite entry. (more…)

As part of the reorganization of the Office of University Communications, formerly the Office of Public Affairs, three staff members’ roles have changed to directly support the department’s mission and priorities.

Mark Bailey, formerly director of development communications, is now director of strategic communications. His responsibilities are for university brand and messaging; strategic initiatives to communicate Wesleyan advantages; and marketing communications integration across media.

Adrian Cooke, formerly web administrator, is now associate director of web technology. In this role, Cooke is the web technologist for University Communications and University Relations and principal contact for University Communications’ web initiatives. With Information Technology Services’ New Media Lab, he will develop and produce the core university website, as well as University Relations and alumni sites.

Jenny Fields ‘03, formerly development communications coordinator, is now digital asset and project manager. She is the point of contact for procurement, stewardship, and delivery of university digital assets, including coordination with outside photographers and videographers for special project and event coverage.