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Murray State Readies New Responsive Website

Coming in January, Murray State's main website will undergo a major change to accommodate mobile users. On Sounds Good, Kate Lochte learns more about this overhaul from web manager Charley Allen. She says mobile use has overtaken desktop use this year and it's time for Murray State's site to align with this trend, with a focus on making it easier for prospective students to access information and apply for admission on a mobile device.

Responsive design presents the same web experience across platforms, whether you're using a desktop, tablet or mobile device, the content presentation essentially stays the same, while adapting to the device. This was something no one had ever considered until the first smart devices came into the market around 2005. Ever since, people have been buying smartphones and usage has been on the rise. In some countries, some people may never even touch a computer, but are using phones to access the web.

The new responsive theme will make it easier for prospective students to get access to the information they want: from applying for the semester to choosing classes. For community members, it will be easier to access news via an RSS feed on the dynamic home page. Beyond the home page, a new content management system will make it easier for non-technical users to update content in their respective departments.

The responsive push comes after a recent study, presented to the Board of Regents, explored how high school students look for colleges. Regardless of what kind of student you are, Charley Allen says, the website is the number one recruiting tool. Ways to make this easier is one of the top priorities for Murray State's new website. For example, currently there are two separate areas for prospective students and admissions. Under the new design, these will be combined into a comprehensive category, which will have information for graduate and international students as well.

The current pathway to registering for college and courses can be difficult and confusing, especially through a mobile device. Beta testing with students and parents will hopefully resolve issues and streamline the process. Allen says she hopes to hold focus groups with high school and college students, as well as send out surveys to get feedback from parents.

They are currently in the middle of content migration, pulling data from the current website and putting into the new content management system. The site is expected to go live sometime in January. Training sessions will be set up to teach back-end users how to write for the web in a way that captures the tone and emotion of human connection, so as to give the university a more welcoming web presence for prospective and current students.

Matt Markgraf joined the WKMS team as a student in January 2007. He's served in a variety of roles over the years: as News Director March 2016-September 2019 and previously as the New Media & Promotions Coordinator beginning in 2011. Prior to that, he was a graduate and undergraduate assistant. He is currently the host of the international music show Imported on Sunday nights at 10 p.m.
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