What does SMU need from a website?

If asked what SMU needs from a website, I draw a blank. (I’m not the average student and haven’t a clue what the staff needs.) However, if asked what I need from an SMU website, I immediately think better directories and class websites.

Sure, SMU.edu has a directories link buried in the site index, but there is no quick and easy way to find an email address or website by typing a name into a box. (I admit it, I’m spoiled and want excessive ease of use. Think MS outlook’s contacts button.) Once the directory is uncovered, it may or may not hold a link to the instructor in question. And on the off chance that instructor has a website, it may or may not have anything to do with the classes he or she teaches.

A centralized directory with on campus phone numbers, email addresses and URLs would be a wonderful addition to any school site.

Another welcome addition would be the ability to research all classes on the web. Sure, Access.smu.edu offers quick class goals, but those don’t help in planning a semester. Helpful items include syllabi, schedules, and general time requirements. If I know my Reporting I class will require seven stories of 400 to 800 words in length in addition to readings, in class exercises and tests, it’s a good idea that I not schedule Intro. to Fiction Writing and Major British Authors in the same summer semester. (No, I didn’t learn the hard way… yet.) However, if I see that a required class has no homework and I am debating between two others for an added three credit hours, the ability to see all class requirements can determine which one is better for that semester. There is no reason to keep this information hidden.

I don’t pretend that every student cares about scheduling compatible classes each semester, but those of us who do would benefit from the ability to research beforehand.

/rant off.

Why is today interesting?

Today, everything I did revolved around me. First, I slept in. The normal 5 a.m. wake up call waited two hours due to my son’s exemption from an early final. We both started the day rested and happy.

After I dropped the boy at school, I went across town to start summer classes. Taking nine credit hours in roughly five weeks will be difficult, but after reviewing the syllabi I think it can be done.

During six hours at school, I learned that I know almost nothing about poetry or web mastering, and little more about copy editing. I thought the classes I chose were basic, and they are fundamental, but this semester may prove more informative and useful to me than any to follow. I already see holes in my education – they are my fault, but they are there – which will be filled before fall.

Due to a scheduling conflict, I was unable to pick up my son from school. Call it self-centered, but I actually sent someone else to retrieve him from the last day of his freshman year so I could attend class.

Since he is staying with friends to celebrate the beginning of summer, I had the house to myself all night. With the time and lack of distractions, I spent five hours (so far) working on class assignments. It may make me a nerd or whatever the word of the decade currently is, but I enjoyed every minute of it.

Today, I have not done anything social or that could be considered part of summer “fun” by the masses. The most interesting part of today is that today, it was all about me.