Redesign aims to unify and simplify MyUB

Since its inception in 2000, MyUB has become the electronic hub for most students' academic lives. Now officials say the successful site will undergo a redesign that aims to make the online system more user-friendly.

The MyUB team in charge of the Web site has announced that in the coming months they will revamp MyUB in order to meet the increasing demands of users and their constant feedback. At a faculty meeting on Wednesday, some professors said they welcome improvements but are wary that another site overhaul could be confusing.

The most recent improvements have included a direct link to UBLearns with a single log-in, and the addition of the "Need to Know" section, which provides reminders for campus events. Officials say the upgrades are just starting.

Over the course of this semester and the summer, MyUB will integrate a powerful Google-based UB search engine, offer a more customized MyPage and change the Web site's aesthetics.

The "Phase II" simplification design will be a complete overhaul of the Web site's visual presentation, beginning with eliminating bulky boxes and rearranging important resources. Officials said the renovation would simplify menu navigation and un-do the clutter caused by too much information.

"Phase II simplification is a new paradigm which will raise visibility of key services and a more collaborative, user-friendly environment," said Rebecca Bernstein, the MyUB Web team leader.

While the point of redesigning is to improve accessibility, some members of the Faculty Senate Executive Committee said the previous revamping in the fall only brought confusion.

"I'm impressed with the responsiveness of the MyUB team, but I was traumatized and thrown into a panic this fall by the changes made," said Debra Street, an assistant professor in the sociology department. "I did get used to it, but it took me a while to figure out where everything ended up."

In an attempt to minimize confusion, officials said they believe that the next redesign may become more permanent.

"After the Phase II simplification the skeleton of the site will be in place and minor changes will be less startling for our regular users," Bernstein said.

The Web team has identified a list of minor improvements that will also be addressed in the next months. The ability to make MyUB a default homepage is under consideration by the Portal Infrastructure Steering Group and multiple committees are looking for a solution to grant access to UBLearns, library resources, MyBookbag and Web mail all through a single sign-in via MyUB.

In addition to these improvements, the MyUB Web team is especially focused on advocating features for faculty members. Though students don't see these features, they have an impact in the classroom.

Last fall, MyUB provided faculty with pilot class lists showing the faces of every student in their class in order to help put a face with a name. As a result of further integration on MyUB, the photo class lists were expanded this spring.

According to officials, 1,730 faculty members are now involved and 28,634 class lists have been generated off MyUB.

"The use of photo class lists through MyUB has already taken off and the feedback has been very positive," said Robert Wright, IT manager of Administrative Computing Services. "With integration of these resources, faculty and students mutually benefit."

Carol Ann Fabian, director of the Educational Technology Center, said the MyUB Web team looks to improve their creation and that they will continue to listen to the needs of their users.

"It's been an enlightening and delightful experience to work with the MyUB team," she said. "With their prompt actions, they are the most responsive group I've worked with at UB, and they continue to impress me with their dedication to the resource."

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