Communication Committee Minutes
Date: Tuesday, 12/9/03
Members Present: Martha Lucey, Francine Podenski, Joe Jah, Andrea Niosi
Members Absent: Elizabeth Brent, Tom Blair, Attila Gabor
Resource People Present: Tom Hetherington, Beth Cataldo
AGENDA ITEMS:
1.
WEB ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES: PLANNING
The three areas being planned for web assessment include: 1) focus groups; 2) listening
sessions; and 3) survey. This meeting focused primarily on the planning process for focus
groups. It was agreed that no staff exists to accomplish the assessment tasks, so
establishing a realistic time line is important. Focus groups will be conducted with three
groups: 1) faculty and staff; 2) students; 3) outside specialists. It was agreed that the
elected senate would be the most objective body to select the individual participants
chosen from the faculty and student groups.
The Chancellor and a trustee to the college suggest that we use an outside vendor to
conduct the focus groups. The objectivity granted by using an outside vendor will be
accepted more readily by critics of our website, such as members of the Sunshine
Ordinance Task Force. The Henne Group was mentioned as an example of a firm we may
want to research and contact as a potential vendor on this project. Using an outside vendor
to conduct a usability study will cost the college money. Funding for an outside vendor
must still be arranged.
Lucey brought a list of outside specialists willing to participate in the focus groups (granted
the time and place fit each person's schedule). Participants include: Kyle Krajewski,
Managing Director, Marketing Services, Montgomery Professional Services Corp.; Linda
Engelman, Freelance Writer, Concilio Creative Group; Douglas Comstock, Spotlight Printing;
Steve Yamaguma, Yamaguma & Associates; Pat Koren, Kajun Designs. Cataldo suggested
finding information architect professionals rather than web designers because navigation is
set by them. Cataldo and Hetherington both recommended looking to other educational
facilities like UCSF, SF State, and UC Berkeley, to see how they have conducted usability
studies and also as a way to contact other possible participants. Niosi will develop a list of
reading material on usability testing in regards to college websites.
The use of an outside vendor hinges on a budget. Until the budget is set, the committee
must wait. We can, however, do some research (i.e. cost of various vendors; alternatives
to using an outside vendor). The Chancellor suggested Dacum as an alternative. Dacum is
a process that ascertains needs of a given user group; it is not a survey. It is conducted inhouse and it is less expensive. We can also look into the college's process of selecting the
vendor. Who decides on the bidding? What are the criteria for selection (aside from cost)?
2.
CATALOG UPDATE
Tom Blair reports that new photos are being selected for next year’s catalog. The Catalog
Project Work Group will vote on the photos and other changes next month.
3.
Eatv-Ch27 UPDATE
As directed by the College Advisory Council on 12/06/03, Broadcast Media Services has
videotaped a concert/lecture series event and is preparing it for cablecast on Eatv-Ch27.
As resources permit, more of these events will be videotaped for cablecast on the channel.
Eatv will rely solely on satellite programming from the Annenberg and Scola from the
afternoon December 19th, 2003 through January 13th, 2004.
4.
ANNUAL PLAN DRAFT – COMMITTEE COMMENT
Lucey proposed that the committee recommend a small change to the wording in the
Annual Plan draft. In regards to the college schedule, the current draft reads, "Improve
upon..." Martha pointed out that the college has had a committee revising the schedule for
two years and improvements have been made. The wording in the annual plan would be
more accurate and also give recognition to the work already completed on the schedule if
it were to read, "Continues to improve upon…"
5.
MEETING TIMES FOR SPRING 2004
Communications Committee meetings will be held at the Pierre Coste Dining Room (PCR)
from 11:15- 1:00 p.m. Dates for Spring Semester 2004 include:
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February 10
March 9
April 13
May 11
Respectfully submitted by Andrea Niosi and Francine Podenski