@BiffBrown : That doesn’t count as an update for the University website…the overall template is the same as 2008(or 2009) update, they just removed the buttons at the top and placed all the portals associated with them as links at the bottom of the page. Why, I don’t know? But it is the same template.
@TheTennisNinja : Yes, last was updated 2008 I think and since then they made some small tweeks to make it slightly more dynamic but not really. They have seemed to focus upon making major updates to subunits (College, Oxford, Law, etc. Med is the last subunit that will be updated…not sure when it will happen but I think it is in the works) though. Also, the issue isn’t the webpage being “dated” so much as “bland” in comparison to most others. Only a few schools have a brand so big that they can afford to have bland university web pages (Harvard updated fairly recently, and its looked rough before it, I would say more like Emory before this post-2008 template, but it is also Harvard. Stanford took a while too) and even many of them choose not to. One issue with Emory is that it has been working on this unified branding/web template for a while for academic departments and other things, and they were based upon the Emory University webpage. However, based upon how the subunits look, they can honestly let go of the University webpage looking like it does now and aim higher. The departmental webpages can of course continue to use the University template and will still look far better than average (compared to peers, many of Emory’s departmental webpages actually look very nice. Most schools don’t take so good care of the academic department interfaces).
If you wanna see a change or actually care, contact the Provost or folks responsible for University Communications and Marketing (maybe post links to peers’ webpages):
http://communications.emory.edu/marketing-communications/
And honestly, if you see someone like Sterk, straight up tell her: “I think Emory can do better in terms of this gateway webpage and many schools already do”
I recently e-mailed the provost specifically about finding a way to present/market signature programs of the university via the web interface (used an example from Duke actually. they had a single webpage nicely highlighting key signature programs available. This makes current and prospective students aware of such programs all in one place). I chose the provost because he technically is supposed to lead intellectual life and ensure academic quality of all units and signature academic programs is kind of under “intellectual life” and academic quality.
Either way, there are ways to not just complain on here or among friends, but to take action or let administrators know. Believe it or not, they may care and will at least pretend to by giving at least a generic reply to inquiries claiming that they read it and all. I think Emory students need to do more than complain amongst themselves to get the place to present itself better and to just do better. Emory has had big administrative changes and is in the middle of strategic planning for many units and communications and marketing what Emory does better is on the agenda. If you feel a certain way about it, please use your voice to be heard. It really is an optimal time to vocalize concerns. The best schools didn’t get that way by students complaining among themselves, they went to the right people to make things happen. They are the “consumers” after all.