Information Technology News

 

Coming January 2014: university website will be easier to access on smartphones and smaller screens

3rd December | No Comments | posted by | in Information Technology News

Zoom in; zoom out. Scroll over and scroll down. And you still haven’t found what you’re looking for.

If you have a smartphone, tablet, iPad or a similar gadget, you may have experienced the annoyance of visiting a website on your device that does not fit on your screen.  The page may be too big or too small, causing you to embark on a scavenger hunt just to find the link you need or to finish reading a page.

Screen shot 2013-11-21 at 2.29.37 PMHowever, several sites’ webpages have been masterfully adapted to meet the needs of these devices. Beginning next semester, Lee’s university website will join those ranks.

“We have implemented technology that allows us to have one site that automatically adjusts the look and feel for the device you are using,” said Director of IT Systems Nate Tucker.

Because the layout of the website can adjust to whatever size screen you happen to have, this “responsive design” makes visiting the website easier and faster, especially on the go. It’s called responsive design because that’s exactly what it does – it “responds” to different forms of technology by providing a suitable format.

While some organizations choose to design separate websites for different kinds of devices, responsive design accomplishes the same results using only one actual site. This helps maintain consistency between devices. While the new layout is different, you will not have to spend a lot of time figuring out where everything is because of its similarities to the original design.

The use of only one site also means that even if you are working on a desktop or laptop computer, you can resize the window in which you have opened the website, and the site will adjust to the new size. This is particularly helpful when working with multiple windows or programs.

The responsive design will be implemented January 2014. Check back in for more updates!

Everything is changing…time to get on board!

12th September | No Comments | posted by | in Information Technology News, For Students, Faculty and Staff

IT Systems is working on and releasing important updates designed to benefit you and other members of the Lee community. Be in the know about what’s going on!

 

University website upgrades 

Completed website projects: 

  • User-friendly Search bar – Our search bar is now powered by Google, eliminating frustrating jargon you might have encountered in previous searches.

  • Upgraded RSS feeds – You don’t have to visit the website to get news updates! Access Lee news and Lee Athletics updates on any device with an RSS reader.

Projects currently in the works: 

  • Correct design, correct device – Each device (smartphone, tablet, desktop computer, etc.) through which you access the website will have its own user-friendly content layout designed to make viewing easier.

  • iCal feeds – The University Calendar will be available on your smartphone and through the mobile app. You will be able to add university events from the calendar to your personal calendar, which will be updated if times, dates, etc. change.

What else is on the horizon for the website? 

  • An enhanced calendar with more detail and actual calendar views (daily view, weekly view, and a monthly view).

  • Links to a new online directory with enabled searching.

  • A new drop down menu

Other important updates

  • Mobile apps – The New Student Orientation mobile app released orientation weekend was a huge success; now try the Lee mobile app and the GO Flames mobile app for Lee athletics. Download both for free at http://mobile.leeuniversity.edu.

  • Switch from PowerFAIDS to Colleague – Financial aid transmittals are now done in Colleague rather than PowerFAIDS, allowing us to take advantage of Colleague services such as a new Student Finance view and 1098-T’s. It will also prepare us for an upgraded web experience coming soon to Portico and Webadvisor that will give them a new look and feel. The management pieces of Financial Aid will still be handled in PowerFAIDS.
  • Student recruitment – Lee will offer an online admissions application through Target X, a new recruitment software. Target X will also import data from ACT, SAT, and MAT and match it with the appropriate online applications, reducing data entry error and eliminating unnecessary duplicate info.

  • Student retention – Be on the lookout for new initiatives to keep Lee students here all the way through graduation.

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