NEW UNIVERSITY WEBSITE HAS MIXED REVIEWS

09/19/2013

By Elizabeth Keeling

Comment Contributor

Students at Bridgewater State University are trying to adjust to a new BSU website, which separates the site that anyone can access from a site only available to students and faculty.

However, on the BSU site that everyone can access (the “internet”), there is a description of why it was decided to separate the site into two platforms. It states that Bridgewater State created the new site for means of “responding to the needs of the 21st-century university that requires both focused functionality and professional presentation.”

The “intranet”, or the site only accessible by students and faculty, was created “with the goal of empowering employees.” It also serves to “enable the staff to solve their unique problems.”

Information Technology Services was unable to be contacted for this report.

While the BSU website contributors seem to be promoting the two new sites, it states that they ask for patience, as it will take time and planning to replace the 15 year old website in place now.

Students who utilize the BSU website regularly have a different opinion about the dividing of the two platforms.

“I think it should just be combined into one network,” said Marisa Parker, a freshman at the university with an undeclared major.

“It should be more easily accessible, with one click instead of a whole new website.”

Caroline Lucia, another freshman with a major in Psychology, said that the decision to divide the two sites “has its ups and downs.” She said that she wishes the site was “easier to navigate.”

Both Lucia and Parker said that they have friends that feel similarly about the issue, including Bryon Gammon, a freshman with a double major in Elementary Education and Geography, and Melanie Hawes, a freshman majoring in Military History.

Jacqueline Barajas, a freshman with a major in Criminal Justice, said she liked how the two sites were now separated.

Even with differences in opinions regarding the new website available to Bridgewater State students, it looks like it is here to stay.

Elizabeth Keeling is a Comment contributor. Editor-In-Chief Greg Dudek edited this story. Email him at gdudek@student.bridgew.edu.