2008 Woodie Awards
New sites ease communication
Lauren Ruffing
Issue date: 2/18/05 Section: News Stories
No more trekking in the bitter cold at 8:30 a.m. to the Maison to discover that the lengthy trip has indeed been a waste of time, more importantly of sleep. Yes, Assumption's technology is advancing with the ages. We may not be able to register for classes online, we may not be able to check our grades online, but this semester, we can monitor our everyday dream online: cancelled classes.
In 2003, the Student Government Association proposed an initiative to create alternative means to announcing cancelled classes. SGA members collaborated with the provost office, the department of public safety, and several secretaries around campus to build the website as a special service to the students of the Assumption community.
"We're really happy with how well it's gone," said Associate Director of Information Technology Mimi Royston. "Students are embracing it so much that there's talk of no longer putting up class cancellation notices on the doors of the classrooms.
According to Royston, this website system is the fast way possible to spread the word, and a way in which everyone can see. "This is available to commuters," said Royston. "That's a big advantage."
www.assumption.edu/cancel did experience some initial glitches, but the situations, especially that of the early morning class cancellation dilemma, have been worked out. "No system is fool proof," said Royston." "Life happens. That's why cancelled classes occur in the first place."
The IT staff is currently working with the provost and SGA staffs to expand their initial idea in efforts of listing more cancellations, as well as room changes and locations of finals. In addition, once the technology has been sorted out, Royston and company would like to incorporate closings of the entire college within the site.
While the class cancellation site has steadily gained users, the message board site, one few Assumption students know about, has yet to. Under the Campus Life link on the Assumption webpage, the message boards remain available to all members of the Assumption community, but can be accessed only on campus. With the subcategories of Classifieds, Announcements, Ride Board (for carpooling home, into the city, or elsewhere), Lost and Found, and Ask SGA, the site exists for the posting of any and all suitable information. Dean of Students Bob Ravenelle moderates the site, but only for the appropriateness of material, outlined in the board rules.
Once registered, users can both post and reply. Students can register with any member name, but they must associate a valid email account with this name. Faculty, staff, and students can, however, view the site and its posts without registering.
"The site offers a lot of neat features, including smiley faces, pictures, and links, that people like to play with," said Royston. "It's a fun thing."
With only 16 registered users, but many more viewers, Royston is optimistic about the success of the message boards once word spreads. Royston is also open to improvement; contact her or Ravenelle with suggestions.
Watch out. Assumption is joining the technology revolution. You should too.
Senior
English
In 2003, the Student Government Association proposed an initiative to create alternative means to announcing cancelled classes. SGA members collaborated with the provost office, the department of public safety, and several secretaries around campus to build the website as a special service to the students of the Assumption community.
"We're really happy with how well it's gone," said Associate Director of Information Technology Mimi Royston. "Students are embracing it so much that there's talk of no longer putting up class cancellation notices on the doors of the classrooms.
According to Royston, this website system is the fast way possible to spread the word, and a way in which everyone can see. "This is available to commuters," said Royston. "That's a big advantage."
www.assumption.edu/cancel did experience some initial glitches, but the situations, especially that of the early morning class cancellation dilemma, have been worked out. "No system is fool proof," said Royston." "Life happens. That's why cancelled classes occur in the first place."
The IT staff is currently working with the provost and SGA staffs to expand their initial idea in efforts of listing more cancellations, as well as room changes and locations of finals. In addition, once the technology has been sorted out, Royston and company would like to incorporate closings of the entire college within the site.
While the class cancellation site has steadily gained users, the message board site, one few Assumption students know about, has yet to. Under the Campus Life link on the Assumption webpage, the message boards remain available to all members of the Assumption community, but can be accessed only on campus. With the subcategories of Classifieds, Announcements, Ride Board (for carpooling home, into the city, or elsewhere), Lost and Found, and Ask SGA, the site exists for the posting of any and all suitable information. Dean of Students Bob Ravenelle moderates the site, but only for the appropriateness of material, outlined in the board rules.
Once registered, users can both post and reply. Students can register with any member name, but they must associate a valid email account with this name. Faculty, staff, and students can, however, view the site and its posts without registering.
"The site offers a lot of neat features, including smiley faces, pictures, and links, that people like to play with," said Royston. "It's a fun thing."
With only 16 registered users, but many more viewers, Royston is optimistic about the success of the message boards once word spreads. Royston is also open to improvement; contact her or Ravenelle with suggestions.
Watch out. Assumption is joining the technology revolution. You should too.
Senior
English