FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information
Contact: Gisele McMinimy, Friends University
(316) 295-5809

REDESIGNED WEB SITE OFFERS USER-FRIENDLY STRUCTURE AND NEW FEATURES

WIchita, KS - April 5, 2002 --Friends University recently launched its redesigned Web site that offers users new features as well as a user-friendly structure. The university has been working with Delinea Corporation* to restructure and redesign the site for the past six months.

"With Delinea's help we were able to streamline the old site, which consisted of more than 8,000 pages, and condense it down to a more manageable 2,000 pages," said Kathy Slemp, co-chairman of the Web Steering Committee and director of Friends' E-commerce Management program. "We wanted to provide an intuitive site where users can find the information they need quickly and efficiently. We also wanted to improve the look of the site. Response from users indicates the new site is a big improvement on both counts."

The new site offers users several new features, including:

• Interactive features, such as "Tell Cynthia," "Ask Max" and "Ask Tracey," that allow users to ask questions or submit suggestions to university personnel;
  
  
• Campus Web, a section where students can check their grades, see their class schedule, check their financial account activity, and get an unofficial transcript;
  
  
• An alumni e-mail network where alumni can post their e-mail addresses so they can stay in touch with each other; and
  
  
• A faculty and staff directory that allows users to locate contact information for university employees.

The redesigned site makes use of an administrative database that manages some sections of the site, including information on academic programs, admissions, news items, events, and a featured athlete and artist of the week. Information that changes frequently can be easily updated through the database system.

"We spent a lot of time up front discussing the structure for the site and how to make it easier for users to find what they need," Slemp said. "We recognized that even though we had hired a full-time Web editor we needed additional help with implementation. Our work with Delinea made it possible to complete this enormous job in a more reasonable time period."

The Friends University Web sited can be accessed at www.friends.edu.

Friends University is a private, comprehensive, liberal arts university located in Wichita. Founded in 1898, the university provides a non-denominational Christian environment for students of all ages. Friends is the largest private institution of higher education in Kansas.

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*Visual Builder owner, Michelle Suddeth, was a key member of the Delinea team for the Friends Redesign project.