New Website Now Online
A completely new edition of the college website is now live! Due to the launch of the new site, traffic on the site will be higher than usual today so we ask for your patience if you experience problems with speed.
Beyond the technical changes, information is now presented to meet the needs of the user rather than following the college organizational chart. On the new site, for example, users can search for programs by name, credential, area of interest and division. This allows individuals to browse programs in manner that works for them, rather than imposing our structure on top of the information.
Following this concept, you’ll find eight banners on the home page each aimed at the needs of specific audiences (the top banner also offers a drop-down menu to get quick access to these pages.) “Brooks Campus” is a good example; you’ll find access to information about that campus easily accessible from this location.
Please keep in mind that the launch of the new site is really just a step in the evolution of our Internet presence. The site is not “done” and never will be. Changes, adaptations and improvements will be ongoing and we know that there is still lots of work to do.
New Site FAQ
- Who created the site? The site was designed in conjunction with a leading Canadian firm that specializes in web development. That said, the project was led on campus by College Advancement and Information Technology Services with 100 percent of the content developed right here.
- Was the site tested? Testing occurred several times. In fact, at one test stage, video cameras were used to track the eye movements of users to gauge their ease of finding data on the site. Research was also conducted with various user groups to determine how they searched and the pages that received the most traffic. The results of this research and testing were incorporated into the design of the new site.
- I see lots of pictures. Are these our students? Over 99% of them are our students.
- Can I add pictures, videos, testimonials, blogs...? We now have many more tools to add meaningful content to the web site so let’s talk about your audiences and the information they need. Please note, the site is structured on page templates so changes and additions will always follow a site-wide pattern.
- Can I be more involved? A major advantage of the new technology is the ability to provide access so some people and groups can manage content. Watch for information in the New Year about receiving training on the new site if you are interested.
- There’s a mistake! That’s not really a surprise given the huge changes made. You’ll find a feedback link on the bottom banner on every page which links to College Advancement. Just send us your concern and we’ll get to as quickly as possible. Please note all content changes should be directed through Advancement.
MHC’s “I Already Gave at the Office!” United Way Campaign
Donate to this campaign and you know longer have to feel guilty saying “No” to telemarketers who call right around supper time because you tell them you’ve already decided where to give your money. OK, maybe you weren’t feeling guilty, but at least now you won’t be lying.
Our goal? $10,000!
Last year, MHC employees gave $4810. With 302 FT employees, that averages out to $16 per employee…per year. We can double that, no problem!
“$3 per pay is the MHC way!”See how easy it would be to reach our goal if we all gave $3 per pay. $3 is:
- One fancy coffee (it looked better on the menu that actually tasted)
- 1/3 of a movie (the movie would probably stink)
- 1/3 of popcorn at a movie (it would be way too salty)
- 1 line and the Extra for a 6/49 ticket (you’ll never win, anyway)
- Friday and Saturday editions of the Medicine Hat News (you can get them at the library)
- Fact. All the money stays local.
- Fact. Between 8%-11% goes to administrative costs. The local office employs 1.7 FTE.
- Fact. The United Way provides money to 22 services.
- Fact. About a third of the population uses at least one service, so you probably know a few people who have needed help.
- Fact. We are a community college, so helping the community fits in perfectly with who we are.
- Tell us to buzz off (although, we hope not)
- Give a tax deductable donation for the year 2011 that will show up on your 2011 T4 slip by:
- Giving a one-time amount in cash, with a cheque or with a credit card
- Signing up for payroll deduction for any amount you wish
How many volunteers does it take to make up for all the hard work Darlene Graham has done in the past years for United Way?
- Answer: Three (Anne Baxter, Don Flaming, Craig Wood) Thanks, Darlene, for all your tremendous efforts!
College Community Comes Through
In true MHC style, the college community has come through for a group of Practical Nursing students in need of living accommodations. Thanks to an overwhelming response from many individuals on campus, all of the students have now found housing during their practicums in Medicine Hat. The Practical Nursing program would like to send a BIG thank you to those who have opened their homes to support students.
Crowfoot Room Open for Business
The new and improved Crowfoot Room (F160) is now available for bookings! Located just down the hall from the previous location, the new Crowfoot Room is on the right hand side of the north exit doors next to Facility Operations. For more information or to book the space, call Kimberly at ext. 3822. or email kcocks@mhc.ab.ca.
NISOD Innovation Abstracts: Opportunities for an Amazing Professional Life
"Opportunities for an Amazing Professional Life," by Fay Rouseff-Baker, Professor Emeritus of Humanities, and Founder of the Center for Excellent in Teaching and Learning, at Parkland College (IL), describes an extraordinarily successful campus learning community in which colleagues own and manage and support their learning experiences, addressing such topics as assessment, course design, learning differences, orientation, and leadership.
Access this article at:
http://www.nisod.org/password/abstracts/XXXII_25.html
(*The username is member and the password is nisod2011.*)
Local Dancers to Perform with the Moscow Ballet
Eight dancers from MHC's Conservatory Music & Dance were chosen to accompany the Moscow Ballet troupe performing at the Esplanade on November 6. Dance instructor Judith Koch has been doing rehearsals with the students to prepare them for this incredible experience.
Read more in the Medicine Hat News.
Christmas Shopping Made Easy
Give the gift of music and dance this Christmas with tickets to the Annual Concert Gala on February 5, 2011. Gala tickets are now available at early bird price of $25 (regular $40) until November 30. Tickets can be purchased at the Cultural Centre, or in the College Advancement Office.
Calling All Curling Fans!
The Canada Cup of Curling has generously donated a limited number of tickets to MHC for free admission to the Keith’s Patch. Known as Canada’s party place, Keith's Patch will feature beer gardens and live entertainment, on Friday, December 3rd.
Straight from Vancouver, dance party cover band, March Hare, will be performing at 9:00 p.m. Anyone interested in receiving complimentary tickets to this fun-packed evening are to contact Shelly Drefs at sdrefs@mhc.ab.ca or visit the Employment and Career Centre located in Student Services. Tickets will be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis until they're gone. For more information on the Canada Cup of Curling, featuring Canada’s top 20 curling teams, please call (403) 526-4003 or visit the website at http://www.seasonofchampions.ca/
Halloween 2010
Thanks to everyone who participated in MHC's annual Halloween activities last week.
Sport and Wellness won the “most spooky and horrifically decorated area” while HR won “most creatively decorated area”. More than 200 staff and students voted for best pumpkin with Duplicating (pumpkin #1) being the winner, followed by the ARC (pumpkin #5) coming in a close 2nd. Honorable mentions go out to everyone else who participated.
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