Minutes (Oct. 26, 2005) Web Advisory Committee
Present: Dr. Alison Beck, Heather Cura, Dr. Sara Gill, Dr. Keith Krolick, Alan Miller, Tom Raymond, Debbie Valle,
Mary Yanes, and Jim Barrett.
The chair, Dr. Alison Beck, called the meeting to order. Committee members approved the July 27 minutes.
Jim Barrett gave the webmaster's report. He said:
- Server traffic in September declined 6 percent, to 1,718,302 page views, over the same month in 2004.
- Widescreen monitors showing events schedules have been installed at the RAHC in Harlingen and the Barshop
Institute in addition to the one placed at the Academic and Administration Building in March.
- An upgrade to the web-based campus calendar still failed to work properly even after the vendor supplied a script designed
to restore functions lost in the upgrade.
In new business, Mr. Barrett summarized proposed changes to state regulations on web-site accessibility. Accessibility
describes methods of coding that allow people with disabilities to view and use web pages. He said
the changes, which are contained in Texas Administrative Code 206, require annual checks for compliance, and training courses for web developers. He also said the
changes specifically state that accessibility regulations apply to internal web content as well as public content.
Dr. Sara Gill asked if the regulations apply to online course content, and mentioned WebCT software. Mr. Barrett said he thinks so. Heather Cura said
WebCT authoring software provides limited help to instructors who use the program and want to make sure their
course content is accessible. She said newer
versions of WebCT are expected to provide more help for people who create content.
Mr. Barrett said the regulations would require the committee to draft a university policy for monitoring compliance with
accessibility guidelines, and to offer training to people who develop web content. He said he would estimate the potential
cost for compliance, and present it to the committee at its next meeting.
A portion of the proposed regulations also requires state agencies and universities to assess the need for web
pages written in Spanish. Mr. Barrett asked the members for ideas about how to do so and which people among the staff, faculty and students could
provide opinions. Several committee members provided names of individuals or departments that could advise.
In old business, Mr. Barrett said the committee's recommendation for specialized training in creating web forms
had been accepted by the Computing Resources Committee. Made in July, the recommendation sought funds
to provide training in Microsoft Word forms. The webmaster has received complaints about business forms offered on
the web that users cannot fill out or save on their computer. A survey in June identified a "Top Ten" list of the hardest forms to use.
There was no other business, and the meeting was adjourned.
-- Minutes prepared by Jim Barrett
-- Approved Jan. 25, 2006
