BEMIDJI, Minn. – Bemidji State University launched its revamped Web site today, a site redesigned to connect visitors with the information they are seeking quickly through improved navigation and search capabilities. The Phase 1 launch of www.bemidjistate.edu also helps advance the University’s goal of creating a unified look and consistent message throughout the site.

Along with the new navigation and design comes a new focus on Bemidji State University as “the place to be.”

“The new theme highlights not only the beauty of campus and the surrounding area, but also the opportunities individuals have to personally shape their University experience to fit their interests and goals,” said Dr. Rose Jones, director of communications and marketing.

“The theme capitalizes on Bemidji State’s reputation as a friendly, personable university with highly successful programs and activities that have a lasting impact on people’s lives,” Jones added. “That impact is felt whether you are a student, a faculty or staff member, an alum, friend or guest of the University.”

Today’s re-launch of bemidjistate.edu is the first phase of an ongoing project to revamp completely the University’s Web presence. The initial focus was on Web structure and navigation, search capabilities, directory and other Web applications and tools, with much of that work completed during the summer of 2007.

The more visible aspects of today’s re-launch are found in a redesigned home page, new sites for the Office of Admissions and University administration and a new BSU Today, a daily source for news and information on University events and activities.

Other features of the new site launch are redesigned main navigation and key landing pages, a robust events calendar, an AskBSU feature and a businesses and organizations section.

“We moved to a new server and reorganized the existing Web content into a user- and search-friendly structure,” Lead Web Developer Kody Hagen said. “The end user won’t even know about the majority of the work that has been done for the new Web site, such as single source dynamic data, architecture tools, search engine optimization and accessibility.

“The new site also integrats multiple levels of content management, so people responsible for specific sections of the site have the ability to quickly and easily keep the information updated,” Hagen added.

The redesign has been a cooperative effort between Bemidji State’s Information Technology Services, Web development team, led by Hagen, and the Office of Communications & Marketing, directed by Jones.