There's a new look at http://www.musc.edu/

by Dick Peterson, Catalyst Editor

Those of us who boot up and log on to the Internet at the MUSC homepage were greeted Wednesday morning with a campus view and a set of website offerings designed to get us, and people outside the MUSC community, what we and they need a little easier. Website graphics are designed by Kathy Downey of MUSC Educational Services. Site content, organization and links are provided by CCIT's John Lindroth.

During the past few months (nearly six months, come to think of it), the Internet Subcommittee of the MUSC Communications Council has been examining MUSC's website and raising concerns about the university's image as seen on its home page, its ability to welcome people to our virtual campus, and the ease with which people get information from us.

What you see is not all there is—or will be. The Internet is an incredible medium for communication, limited only by the creativity of its users. So, our intent is to first expand what we've started—the "musc a-z" index, for example—and then look for ways to improve the website. We plan to make it an ongoing project, one that we'd like to enlist your help to accomplish.

First on the improvement agenda will be the "PATIENT CARE" section, one of the three major categories on the home page. The overriding objective throughout this clinical portion of the website will be graphic and content consistency with a view to marketing MUSC clinical services. For this task, Medical Center Marketing Services plans to seek the help of website consultants who are experienced in clinical services marketing on the Internet.

As for the rest, the "EDUCATION" and "RESEARCH" categories will be free to grow and expand at will within the existing MUSC Internet guidelines. Oversight by the Internet Subcommittee will consist of facilitating growth by creating links and offering assistance. The last thing that's needed in MUSC's vibrant and growing academic/research environment is "web police" forcing conformity on every department or lab that wants a web page.

But with every freedom comes a responsibility, and in this case it's the responsibility to express your concerns, suggest improvements, and otherwise become involved in the continued development of MUSC on the net. So, go ahead and click on the tickertape appeal for comments running across the top of your screen and e-mail your thoughts on the form provided. We would like nothing better than to spawn a healthy, productive dialogue with a goal to making MUSC's website a great place to visit and use.

Survey: Catalyst is valuable information source

A few months ago, the Internal Publications Subcommittee of the MUSC Communications Council sent out about 10,000 surveys to faculty and employees and an additional 2,250 to students with a list of questions designed to get an idea of how best to serve the communications needs of the campus.

Well, we were deluged with disinterest. Of the 10,000 faculty and employee surveys distributed, 1,231 returned. Of the 2,250 student surveys, 90 came back.

First, the committee wanted to know how most people here get their information: from e-mail— 80.2 percent; from The Catalyst—79.6 percent; from newsletters—74.9 percent; from the Internet— 26.3 percent.

Then there was the question about combining information into one comprehensive piece. Of those responding, 58 percent said they would prefer to receive one publication that would include much, if not all, of the information currently distributed in separate newsletters.

Many of the faculty and employees (73.4 percent) said they read the Campus News section of The Catalyst regularly, and feature stories in The Catalyst: 69.6 percent.

Given the opportunity to say what they would like to see included in The Catalyst, a column dealing with on-campus issues and an opportunity to express opinions and ask questions was a favorite.

Most of the students receive their information from Student Lifelines, a newsletter published by the Office of Student Programs. Most students said they want to continue to receive their information this way and would prefer not to have it included in The Catalyst as an alternative. They would like to see more attention given to student interests, however, including information on scholarship resources, volunteer opportunities, and student awards and events.

All in all, The Catalyst is considered by faculty, employees and students to be a valuable source of information on campus. Our goal is to make The Catalyst a valuable source of "communication" on campus.

There is a difference. Information travels in one direction only—usually from the top down. Communication, on the other hand, is a top-down, bottom-up, and side-to-side transfer of information, ideas and concerns with a common goal toward seeing MUSC achieve its mission.

One of the improvements in the works right now is personalized distribution. We want to be able to campus-mail a copy of The Catalyst each week to each faculty member and on campus. Our new campus addresses are making this possible. We are collecting information now on the number of papers to be delivered to each address .

Within the next few months, expect to see an issue-feedback column added to The Catalyst. We will research and respond to questions like: Wouldn't it be better if we...; and Why is there only one.... Questions, comments and concerns will be received by e-mail, voice mail and letter. They will not have to be signed, but they will be screened on the basis of a demonstrated desire to make MUSC a better place to live, work and serve.

Another change taking place is a move toward consolidating other campus publications and enlarging The Catalyst. Currents, the MUSC Medical Center weekly publication has been included in The Catalyst for a few months now. Expect it to stop eventually as a separate mailing and run exclusively in The Catalyst. TimeLine, the Rutledge Tower construction update newsletter is a monthly publication that has been included in The Catalyst and will continue until construction is completed and the building is fully occupied.

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