University Web Committee

Web Strategic Plan

Approved by the University Web Committee April 10, 2007

On February 28 and March 1, 2007, 44 representatives of The University of Montana community participated in a web strategic planning process. The group formulated a five-year vision and three goals aimed at moving toward that vision in the coming year. The University Web Committee and appropriate subcommittees will enhance these goals by formulating specific action items, timelines and resource requirements.

Full documentation from planning session (12-page PDF)
List of participants in planning process (PDF)

Vision Statement

The Web is the preeminent vehicle for communication and delivery of services for all University stakeholders. The University of Montana’s Web presence will be a leader in providing high-quality and compelling experiences for every user. The Web will advance academic excellence and institutional prosperity, and will proudly promote the unique culture of UM, Missoula and the state of Montana through a spirit of cooperation and commitment to innovation.

Goals

Align our investment in the web, and our strategic directions related to the Web, with broad University strategic goals.

Engage in dialogue with administrators and governing bodies responsible for establishing and implementing University strategic directions during the remainder of this academic year and throughout the next. Develop a shared understanding of opportunities, risks and expectations associated with Web services and invest adequate resources and energy to meet those shared expectations.

Specifically, meaningful dialogue should occur with and among:

• Executive Officers
• Information Technology Council
• Academic Officers
• ASUM
• Faculty Senate
• Staff Senate
• Strategic and Budget Planning Committee
• Academic Planning Council
• Enrollment Management Council
• University Marketing Committee
• University Web Committee

Continue Web strategic planning process to gain consensus and support for vision and goals.

• University Web Committee leadership, IT Web Technologies Director Gordy Pace and Executive Vice President Jim Foley will present results of initial strategic planning sessions to executive officers, governing bodies and the campus community by April, 2007
• Seek involvement and relevant feedback from web users – particularly students – through forums, surveys and other means by May, 2007.
• Commit to campus-wide bi-annual web strategic planning meetings to promote understanding and cooperation, and to revise web goals to reflect progress and changing situations. This planning will incorporate anyone with a vested interest from the campus community, including content providers, support staff and executive representation.

By the end of May 2007, the UM Web Committee, in particular its Web standards subcommittee, will develop an implementation plan for campus-wide adoption of the existing Web standards policy.

Balancing innovation and consistency, The University of Montana Web Standards policy communicates content, style, graphics and accessibility requirements for official University websites.

The web committee will collaborate with executive officers to ensure leadership and resources necessary for continued web development and support to enhance standards compliance. The Information Technology Council (ITC) will enforce the web standards on the recommendation of the web committee.