What do you think? Tell us how you use our homepage—and how it can work better

case.edu homepageThe university homepage represents our virtual “front door,” the place that receives more than 3.5 million unique visits per year. This online presence stands as our first chance to make a positive impression, to convey an authentic sense of who and what we are within a matter of seconds. We deliver those messages with images, words, design and usability. And when it comes to the web, people draw rapid conclusions—and, sometimes, final ones.

Today we seek your assistance in presenting a more compelling, meaningful picture of Case Western Reserve on the web. No one knows the strengths and challenges of our site better than those who use it. We need your insights and ideas to make the homepage do a better job of welcoming visitors and offering everyone an experience that approaches the excellence that is our university.

To that end, we ask you to take a brief online survey on how you use the homepage, case.edu.

In addition, University Marketing and Communications will host a series of open forums with members of the campus community to hear feedback about the site and suggestions for the future. Forums are scheduled for Wednesday, April 10, from 2 to 3 p.m. and Thursday, April 11, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Both forums will be held in Thwing Center’s Meeting Room A. In addition, a forum will be held April 12 during community hour (12:30 to 1:30 p.m.) in Olin 313. (Questions? Email Emily Mayock at ehm23@case.edu.)

We want to present the most accurate, accessible site possible. Case Western Reserve attracts students, staff and faculty from around the world. We come together to create a community dedicated to deepening and broadening knowledge and understanding. We are a place committed to exploring ideas and making discoveries that advance society and individual well-being. We strive for impact, whether it’s in the new perspective a student gains from a course or the innovative cure a researcher brings to patients. People come here to make a difference—and every day, they do.

We cannot begin to sum up the extraordinary complexity that is a top national urban research university. After all, we enroll more than 10,000 students and have more than 6,400 faculty and staff. But we believe case.edu can do a much better job of presenting Case Western Reserve online. And we have confidence your feedback will make our efforts that much more successful.

The survey will stay open through next Friday, April 19. Take it online at thedaily.case.edu/news/homepage-user-survey/.

In the coming months we will provide updates on the survey results and other elements of the redesign process.

Thank you in advance for your participation.