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Super-sized loss McMaster defeats Western 33–27 >> pg. 7
thegazette Banging during power outages since 1906
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
today high 18 low 13
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canada’s only Daily Student Newspaper • founded 1906
Volume 106, Issue 17
Western’s website gets a makeover After a year of work, university unveils redesign Jesica Hurst News Editor Western’s website just got a makeover. The redesign, which can be found at www.westernu.ca, was released last Thursday after a yearlong process that involved surveys, studies and consultations. “At the beginning of the project, we looked at our Google Analytics statistics to help us learn where our traffic was coming from, and what pages [people] were visiting the most,” Terry Rice, director of marketing and creative services in Western’s communication and public affairs department, explained. “We also did an online survey that was available to students, faculty, staff and alumni— this helped us learn what our primary audience wanted from a redesigned website.” Judy Steward, team leader of the Customer Support Centre and ITS, explained the website redesign is now only available in Western’s content management system—Hannon Hill’s Cascade Server—instead of downloaded Dreamweaver files that could be customized by individual site members. “[Past] design elements could
be changed in ways that might not fit with the specific branding or design that communications had developed,” Steward said. “Having a standard CMS does not mean that the design can’t or won’t change over time—it simply means that a site maintainer does not just make those changes themselves as they might have in the past.” According to Rice, the redesign was done completely in house, meaning no funds were spent outside the university. “The only cost we had on this was staff time. Communications has two full-time staff members focused on web design and development,” Rice explained. “Beyond this, the university invested in six students who worked full-time hours over the summer to help with the design.” Mohsin Khandwala, a firstyear HBA student at the Richard Ivey School of Business, thinks it would have been better for Western to launch the redesign with the rebranding announcement in January. “Students were really into the whole rebranding decision, so launching it then would have been an easy way to alert more of the public about the website, and its various uses,” Khandwala said. “It
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would have the potential to attract a lot more traffic in the long term.” However, he believes having a consistent and informative website will add legitimacy and professionalism to the Western brand. “These days, most brands have a heavy online presence, and a
brand’s website is the first step to achieving a successful and noticeable online presence,” Khandwala said. “A modern, easy-to-navigate website will tell prospective students that Western is ‘in with the times.’” Rice hopes students will provide
feedback through a feedback tab on the right side of the homepage. “The beauty of websites is that they’re fluid, especially in the first few weeks after launch. We need to listen to what our visitors are telling us, and adjust the design if it’s not fully serving their needs.”
Homecoming a headache for police Cam Smith News Editor While homecoming may have been fun for Western students, Western’s Campus Community Police Service had to deal with a spike in unique and potentially dangerous situations this weekend. “[Drinking] may be an integral part of homecoming and that sort of thing, but it can also get out of hand,” Elgin Austen, director of campus police, said. “You’re looking at a very dangerous thing. You’re also looking at trash and litter all over the place.” While cops across London were fairly lenient with public drinking and open alcohol on Sunday, campus police were wary of the overindulgence on premises. “We did notice there was a lot of alcohol in the parking lots, for tailgate parties,” Austen explained. “This is something we’re going to have to do something about in the
future.” According to Austen, while the situation was relatively well contained, there will be an effort to further reign in the indulgence in future years. “There’s always room for improvement, but as for containment, it’s not just up to campus police, it’s up to all individuals participating,” he said. “In another year we’re going to have to look at it in a proactive way—to reduce those types of activities, like tailgate parties.” “You can have a good time without being excessive,” Austen concluded. For many students, homecoming was a booze-fueled bash, laden with team spirit. “[It was my ] last homecoming before I graduate, I definitely had to end it off with a bang,” Kevin Bang, a fourth-year BMOS student, explained. “[There was] so much school spirit being displayed, and even non-students were getting in
on the spirit. For once, every time I walked by someone they didn’t seem miserable from all the exams and midterms they were studying for.” Yet, for those looking to cut loose, police involvement appeared as a nuisance. Bang’s bang was cut short by police closing down the keg party he was attending, well before the kegs were dry. “The cops forced them to empty out all the remaining kegs so there was none left,” Bang said. “Just a huge ‘come on man.’ One day for us to party before midterms and exams, and [they] can’t even let it slide.” In the wake of the Fleming Drive riots, police involvement appeared swift and overly harsh to some students. “I know they are doing their job and everything, but I guess Fanshawe set the precedent, and they don’t want us burning cars and stuff,” Bang concluded.
WHERE’S WALDO? Hundreds of students gather on Broughdale to celebrate Western’s homecoming the old-fashioned way—with alcohol.