College creates new Internet web

Students in the College of Arts and Sciences now have a more efficient way to answer their questions about everything from studying abroad to choosing and completing a major. A new College Web became available over the Internet last Thursday. A web provides an easily accessible directory of linked information to the user. According to Susan Quant, College management information specialist, the College Web has information "that students need to get through the undergraduate program at Penn." This includes information about programs, dual degrees, submatriculation and links to other department webs, she said. In addition, it contains an interactive option through which students can get specific questions answered through e-mail by the appropriate College official, Quant said. There is also a page where students can enter comments and suggestions. A School of Arts and Sciences Web was also released at the same time -- which Quant described as "one level up from the College Web". Using the SAS Web, students can link to the College Web, the College of General Studies Web and information about the graduate schools, she said. College Dean Robert Rescorla said the purpose of the Web is to make important information easily accessible to students. "We are anxious to do everything we can to make information available to undergraduates," he said. Rescorla added that the advantage of having information such as that contained in the Freshman Handbook available "on-line" is that it is easy to adjust it when things change. He also discussed the possibility of putting brief faculty biographies on either the College or the SAS Web. "I think this is going to turn out to be something that is going to pervade the University," Rescorla said. SAS Dean Rosemary Stevens said she sees a lot of potential for the Web. "I see this as extending the helpfulness of professors and administrators throughout the College and providing a better map for students," she said. But Quant said the Web's effectiveness depends on student's familiarity with the Internet system. "A lot of this is presuming that students are actively getting and using their electronic mail accounts and using the systems available to them," she said. Quant added that since the Web is relatively new, there are still some files and documents under construction. "We will be continuing to work on it throughout the semester?and coming up with new ways that we can use the technology," she said. A lot of faculty have already looked at it and given their feedback about what they want to see done with it, she added. One way to link into the Web is by typing "lynx" at the mail.sas main menu prompt. Another way to access the Web is through Mosaic or Netscape -- two graphics-oriented programs that show pictures on the screen. "In the long run people will have this equipment, [but for now] people can still get the text information -- which is really what it is all about," Rescorla said. Quant encouraged students to "get out there and see what's available." "A few students have already discovered [the Web], and we have been receiving comments and questions and we welcome more," Quant said.