LLU&MC Scope Autumn 2000

Office of Public Affairs conducts web site survey on campus

The office of public affairs recently surveyed LLU&MC administrators, faculty, staff, and students to obtain valuable feedback about the current public website. The opinions and suggestions submitted though this survey are being used to create a newly designed website that addresses the needs of the users.

The new webite is slated to be available online this fall. Nine hundred and thirty-six e-mail messages were sent to randomly selected administrators, faculty, staff, and students. Participants were instructed to click a link to complete a web-based survey depending upon their role at LLU&MC. The survey asked for users' opinions about ease of use and content of the website, as well as what they would like to see changed. Survey participants were also given an opportunity to enter addresses of sites to show examples of their favorite web destinations. Survey participants could choose to enter their e-mail addresses for a chance to win one of five gift certificates to the Campus Store or complete and return the form anonymously.

Fifteen administrators, 30 faculty, 128 staff, and 29 students completed the survey for a total of 202 participants—which is a relatively high response (about 22 percent). Data from the 27 questions was compiled, analyzed, and separated into five categories—all participants (combined), administrators, faculty, staff, and students. When polled about how they obtain their information about Loma Linda, 30 percent of the respondents indicated University and Medical Center publications; 27 percent, the LLU&MC website; 24 percent, the public media; 18 percent, conversation; and 1 percent, other. Ninety percent of all respondents said they use the LLU&MC Internet website at work, and 55 percent use it at home. On these visits to the site, 91 percent found the information they were seeking. The three questions shown here graphically display responses to three of the questions for all groups combined.

The new website design, now in development, will answer a common request to incorporate more navigation aids—such as drop-down menus and interactive buttons. In addition, the site will maintain a consistent design throughout, so the entire site has a cohesive look much like other highly successful websites such as <www.adobe.com> or <www.tulane.edu>.

The website is being planned to feature more student information and focus on making important information such as admissions, distance education, and medical services easier to find. Each month, more than 15,000 unique visitors come to the site. Of this number, about 3,000 are repeat visitors. In its five-year history, the LLU&MC website has been honored with several awards. To visit the LLU&MC website, aim your browser at <www.llu.edu> .

[Scope, Autumn 2000]