Participants were asked to put 60 items currently on the college homepage into categories. The actual instructions, suggested categories, and items used in the study are presented here.
The Instructions
WELCOME: INSTRUCTIONS: Click on an item in the left and drag it over to the right, either into an existing category/box or a space anywhere else on the page (this will create a box for a new group, with your item inside it). Repeat with the remaining items, grouping the ones that belong together into as many boxes as you think are necessary. Then click on the heading area of any boxes you’ve created to give them names. When you’re all finished, click “I’m Done!” Which items belong together? How many groups should I have? Can I suggest other items for the homepage? What if I think some items don’t belong on the homepage at all? You can return to these instructions at any time by clicking the “Instructions” link at the top of the sort page. |
Suggested Categories
Participants could use these categories or create their own. (See Categories Gone Wild)
About Williams Academics Admission Administration Faculty |
Parents Staff Students Visitors Alumni |
Donors Directories News Events |
The Items
Each participant was presented with the same items in random order. Descriptions appeared when a participant moused over an item.
Item | Description (rollover) |
---|---|
Admission homepage | tours & information sessions, about financial aid, application info |
Webmail | log-in for Williams email account holders |
Financial Aid | Admission Office: financial aid overview for prospective students |
’62 Center calendar | events are also included in Campus Calendar |
Campus Calendar | includes music, theatre, dance, athletic, student events, and ongoing exhibitions |
WCMA calendar | events are also included in Campus Calendar |
Music Dept calendar | events are also included in Campus Calendar |
Academic Calendars | Registrar’s Office: calendars for the next three years |
A-Z Index | alphabetical list of department, office, program and service websites |
History & Traditions | Archives: Williams history |
Academic Centers | links include: Academic Resources, CES, CDE, Oakley Center, museum, libraries, etc. |
Departments & Programs | majors, concentrations, other curricular opportunities, graduate programs |
People Directory | pictures, office and home contact information for faulty & staff, campus info for students |
Department/Office Directory | printable directory with office locations, phone and fax numbers |
Arts at Williams | information, news, and events about music, dance, theatre, museum |
Sports Information | rosters, results, news, schedules for varsity teams; events are also included in Campus Calendar |
Bookstore | Water Street Books: ordering (faculty), selling and buy back (students) of college textbooks |
Campus Map | Google map with locations and addresses of campus buildings |
College Administration | President’s Office: organization chart of offices that report to senior staff |
Communications Office | responsible for news releases, College Calendar, Daily Messages, Fast Facts |
Conference Office | year-long recruiting for summer conferences |
Course Catalog | Registrar’s Office: list of courses offered |
Daily Messages | internal messages to/from students, faculty & staff (read by Williams email account holders) |
Dean of the College | responsible for academic and non-academic aspects of student life |
Employment | Human Resources: non-student job opportunities |
Especially for Alumni | Alumni Office: alumni, development, events, volunteering, travel, Alumni Review |
Especially for Faculty & Staff | links to items of interest to employees: Academics, Event Planning, Information, Resources |
Especially for Parents | Parents site: information events, resources, support & volunteer opportunities |
Especially for Students | list of links to items of interest to students: Academics, Activities, Information, Services |
Visitors Guide | driving directions, restaurants & lodging in the area, transportation, things to do in the area, campus map |
Faculty Experts | Communications Office: topics about which faculty are willing to share their expertise with the press |
Faculty Notes | news of publications, grants, awards, etc. submitted by faculty |
Fast Facts | Communications Office: statistics about the college, it’s faculty, students, staff, alumni, facilities, finances, etc. |
Giving to Williams | Alumni Office: Alumni Fund, Parents Fund, ways to give |
Honor System | student-run committee determines Honor Code violations; advice and information |
I Am Williams | Diversity Initiative project: images link to project site |
Information Technology | computing information, software downloads, help desk for students and faculty/staff |
Libraries | Sawyer Library, Schow Science Library, Archives & Special Collections, Chapin Library of Rare Books |
Multimedia | podcasts, video |
News Releases | Communications Office: news about the college, its people, and programs |
Publicity | Communications Office: how to publicize your events |
Registrar | Registrar’s Office: academic calendars, course catalog, registration |
Room Scheduler | internal form to reserve a room for an event |
Social links | Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr |
Williams in the News | Communications Office: references to Williams-related people in the global, national and local press |
Sustainability | reports/charts of green efforts on campus; link to Zilkha Center |
Tours & Information Sessions | Admission Office: campus tours and information sessions schedule |
Applying to Williams | Admission Office: application information for prospective students |
Mission & Purposes | Archives: mission & purposes |
Presidents | Arhives: bios of Williams presidents |
Dean of the Faculty | responsible for faculty and curriculum |
Calendars | links to Campus Calendar, ’62 Center, Museum (WCMA), Music calendars |
Especially for Donors | links to: online giving, Alumni & Parents funds, planned giving, corporation & foundation relations |
Especially for Visitors | links to: Visitors Guide, non-student employment (HR), and Admission |
Building Addresses | links directory to Campus Map |
Alumni Directory | Alumni Office: log-in page |
Featured Events | direct links to a handful of selected events on the College Calednar |
Athletics | links to Sports Information website |
Search Williams | search the williams.edu domain |
Prospective Students | Admission Office homepage |
Next: Categories Gone Wild