Strategy and Support Overview

The web team provides strategy and support for NIU websites. Our work enables the university to share information and promote the NIU mission in the community and around the world. We enhance productivity and efficiency by collaborating with colleagues across campus to align web objectives with organizational strategies. We also provide technical support and training to internal users, enabling them to effectively leverage their sites.

The web team uses Google Analytics to track web data. Analytics reveal insights about how people use NIU websites and guide us in updating content and navigation. Department web contacts can request analytics reports by submitting a web update request form.

Templates and Guidelines

NIU websites are hosted in Cascade, our web server and content management system. The web team creates and updates sites in Cascade using templates aligned with best practices in design, usability and accessibility. The content and format of NIU sites are guided by state/federal laws and other policies and standards. There are some differences in guidance for faculty sites.

Department Web Contacts

NIU departments and offices have varying web support needs. Each area has identified a contact person to work with the web team to meet those needs. This increases consistency across sites and reduces opportunities for miscommunication. View department web contacts.

Roles and Training

Department web contacts are assigned a role (coordinator, contributor or manager) depending on their experience and the needs of their area. The roles have varying levels of access to Cascade, allowing us to streamline operations and promote adherence to web standards.

Department web contacts must complete training before assuming their role, as well as annual refresher training to continue in it. For more information or to request training, email webtraining@niu.edu.