The University of Arkansas at Monticello debuted a newly-designed version of its Web site Feb. 22, courtesy of the university's new Web publisher, Naomi Freeman.

   Freeman said the plan was to create a new design for the homepage and some consistency throughout the rest of the site. She wanted the layout to be user friendly and accessible to everyone.

   "This means, in part, that everything will not be displayed on the homepage, yet sections, categories will be provided to benefit everyone," Freeman said. "For example, having a link for students that will go to another page that will provide information pertaining to students will keep students from having to search for the information they need."

   Chancellor Jack Lassiter said the university added the Web publisher position to its budget this year because he wanted to get someone in who could not only upgrade the campus Web site, but also maintain it, which he said Freeman had done a wonderful job of.

   "We employed her (Freeman) in July and she's been hard at it ever since," he said. "I'm technologically challenged, but she's an expert. We're trying to get our entire site to where it's very user friendly."

   The campus will be inviting a group of high school students, in addition to UAM students, to try out the new site and give the publisher some pointers about problems.

   "We used high school students because we wanted people who might not know much about the campus," Lassiter said. "It serves current students, but also other students."

   Judging by most students' responses so far, Freeman succeeded – for the most part – in her attempt at updating the site and making its information more accessible.

   Though Robyn Howard, a sophomore nursing major from Warren, Ark., experienced a few problems finding everything at first due to the new layout, she soon figured everything out.

   "Now I think it's easier to use than the last one," she said.

   While Howard expressed optimism about the new site once she found her way around, other students were not as impressed.

   Johnathan Bradley, a senior business major from Mt. Pleasant, Texas, said he liked the design but still preferred the old version because it was more easily accessible.

   "It seems as though it was much easier to navigate the old one," he said.

   The aesthetic nature of the site also received predominantly positive reviews.

   Christin McCoy Singleton, a senior business major from Clarendon, Ark., said she really liked the design.

   "The new look definitely brings us more up to date," she said.

   While many students echoed Singleton's sentiments that the site appeared more up to date and professional, a few found fault in the smallest of details.

   Jenna Thomas, a senior political science major from Shreveport, La., disliked the picture of the music building on the main page.

   "It's like it's supposed to be something really nice or cool looking, but that building isn't," she said. "The library would be a better choice."

   Lassiter said he was sure Bobby Hoyle, director of information technology, and Freeman would appreciate hearing from students about what they would like to see on the Web site.

   "Freeman has already talked to us about adding some things," Lassiter said. "We'll soon have a master calendar added to the Web site about what's happening on campus."

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