The concept of retrieving just about any information by dialing 411 has now been brought to Fairfield thanks to a tech-savvy senior and an administrator determined to create as many subcommittees as possible.
Students 411 is a new Web site containing information about on-campus events geared toward everyone from prospective students to parents and alumni.
The Web site, which was programmed by Gordie Johnson’ 08 allows curious browsers to gain a unique perspective on Fairfield without access to StagWeb.
Jay Rozgonyi, director of Computer and Networking Services, said, “Mark Reed came to us with a detailed plan about what he would like to create. One of our employees, Gordie Johnson ’08, did all of the programming for it, but the original impetus came from Mark Reed.”
“We wanted a site that made a good attempt in compiling in one place, mainly on one screen, as much information that students either want or should have quick and easy access to,” said Associate Dean and Director for student affairs Mark Reed.
Johnson, who has turned down opportunities to work for the University after graduation, said he was enticed to attend through a programming internship.
“We offered him a job right out of high school,” said Rozgonyi. “We knew he was a really gifted technical designer.”
Johnson shrugged off his own abilities and gave credit to Reed and Deidra Bennet of Student Affairs.
Reed added, “StagWeb is an excellent tool for accessing one’s personal information in official records and systems (e.g. grades, financial aid information, schedules, etc.), there was a need to bring out from behind a “log-in” information about events and activities that might be of interest to more than simply students.”
Johnson said, “It was all Reed’s idea. Kim Szabo, a graphic designer for printing and graphic services, made the prototype, and made it browser friendly. Reed dictated the content of the Web site.”
Bennet is responsible for site maintenance.
“I try to put the most pertinent information for students on the site; everything they need to say and not things that aren’t essential. The site gets upwards of 850 hits daily, a number we’re looking to improve,” she said.
A quick trip to the new site can be very useful, especially for the student tired of deleting unwanted e-mail from his or her StagWeb accounts.
Andrew Gywnn’10 thinks the idea of an e-mail-free student information site could be beneficial.
“I feel the process of searching through e-mail to find things is annoying,” he said. “The Web site will definitely make it easier to for students looking to see what is happening on campus.”
While Rozgonyi said he is pleased with the way the Web site has turned out, he expressed concern for the lack of response the Web site has received from students.
Rozgonyi was worried that many students might not even know Students 411 exists.
“I would like to hear some feedback from students,” he said. “What do they like about it and what do they feel isn’t necessary to have on there?”
While some students on campus think the Web site will benefit them, others are not as receptive to the idea.
“I’ve never used it because I’ve never heard of it,” said George Lisa ’09.
John Nolan ’11 suggested some ways the University could better market the new student information Web site.
“They should put a bigger link on StagWeb, or put something right under the log in on the original page that could take you there,” he said.
“I think the reason is campus e-mail isn’t read by everyone,” said Emily Norberg ’10. “It think it is another good resource in addition to everything else the campus offers.”
While Students 411 has many good points, both Reed and Rozgonyi hope to continue to improve it.
Reed said, “There remains work to be done with regards to the best uses of e-mail to broadcast messages to students and others.”
Rozgonyi said, “We want to know how to improve it, and how to continue to make it better.”
Another advantage of the program is it allows those who don’t have a login account to learn in-depth information about the University.
“By doing this, the information is available to the public, whose constituencies include students, prospective students, and parents,” said Reed.
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