myU portal undergoing redesign, updates

The University of South Dakota is updating the myU portal to a new design created for mobile phones, tablets and computers.

The portal will be upgraded to current software, the design will allow for more customizability, and students will be able to make tabs and organize the information in a way they prefer.

“It’s going to have a sleeker look,” USD digital strategist Howard Thomas said.

The site will also be responsive, which allows the website to adapt to the screen size being used.

“It got to a point where it is so clunky,” said Ryan Angelo, USD web content editor. “Students were just turned away from it.”

The new design is from Jasig, a non-profit organization which sponsors open source software for higher education. USD will be among the first universities in the country to adopt the new update.

University of Wisconsin-Madison has already upgraded to the new system, Thomas said.

In addition to the design upgrade, Angelo said Marketing and University Relations will remove the duplicated information from the portal, and will also move content that should be public to the main website.

“Some of that is really intended for a broader audience,” Thomas said. “We are going to bring it out and make it move available for a wider audience.”

Student Government Association external communications manager Sami Zoss watched a demonstration of the new portal  April 2 at a Faculty Senate Meeting.

“This is something that is going to be very beneficial,” Zoss said. “It is going to be more direct to the student needs.”

Zoss said her favorite part of the new portal is the mobile-friendly design and the ease of use.

“I think students will have a lot less questions because they will find the answers easier,” Zoss said.

The redesign will launch after the semester ends.

Marketing and University Relations will be in the Muenster University Center  Monday and Tuesday to talk more about the upgrade with students.