UA News

Different topics related to UA Web site development and maintenance are introduced at each monthly group meeting.

Creating an effective and attractive Web site can be a daunting task, especially for those who don't have a background in Web development or programming. But one group at the University of Arizona is working to support campus employees working in UA Web site development and maintenance, regardless of their skill level or experience.

The UA Web Developers Group holds monthly meetings to share information with everyone from seasoned Web developers to administrative assistants charged with managing the content on their department's Web sites.

Guest speakers present information on a variety of topics, including Web security, site accessibility for people with disabilities and specific University standards and guidelines for UA sites.

The club, which has an average meeting attendance of about 20 people, is hoping to bring in more members of the campus community to share information and tips for building and managing sites.

"It's basically to support anybody on campus who is maintaining or developing a UA Web site," said Cheri Darling, chairwoman of the group. "It's a really good place to make contacts with people."

The group offers information on subjects ranging from the basics to more advanced topics, from HTML code to tips for using the popular content management system Drupal. Speakers are invited from departments across campus. A list of past presentations, along with detailed minutes from each meeting, is available on the group's Web site. 

The site also includes a list of Resources for Webmasters  and a members-only section that includes a directory of club members, online discussion forums and a library area where users can read reviews and check out books on Web development. Anyone can sign up for a members account by e-mailing uaweb-leadership@listserv.arizona.edu.

The group's Listserv, which has 272 subscribers, is used to send out information and announcements affecting Web development at the UA. Anyone can subscribe to the list, UAWEB@LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU, by following the instructions at http://listserv.arizona.edu/Subscribe.html.  Subscribers are welcome to submit their Web development questions to the Listserv to get assistance or advice from campus colleagues, said Darling, principal information technology support analyst for the department of Risk Management & Safety.

"Certain people are experts in certain areas," Darling said, adding that it can be helpful to bring those people together both virtually and in person.

While Web developers have a tendency to work independently, the monthly meetings help bring together a community of developers and nondevelopers from across campus, said Mike Hagedon, one of the founding members of the group, which began holding meetings in 2006.

"We wanted to do a better job of sharing resources and supporting one another," said Hagedon, applications system analyst and senior Web developer for University Libraries. "It's a valuable resource for new employees. And it doesn't have to be people in IT job titles."

Outside consultants who may be helping to develop UA sites also are welcome to attend meetings to learn more about specific UA Web policies, Hagedon said.

The UA has a variety of guidelines in place for University Web sites. For example, External Relations has a UA Web Banner Policy that requires all Web sites for colleges, schools and several other campus units to include an approved UA banner identifying them as being affiliated with the University. 

UA Web Developers Group Meetings are held the second Wednesday of every month from 2-3:30 p.m. The next meeting will be Feb. 10 in Highland Commons, Room B116. Kelly Bogart, senior information security specialist in the Information Security Office, will talk about Web security.

For more information, visit the UA Web Developers Group Web site.