Above: Dyersburg State's new site. Below: One of the old sites. [Click to enlarge]

Dyersburg State Community College went live with an updated version of its Web site on Tuesday. The new site provides a more user-friendly format for potential students to learn about the programs and classes offered by the college.

DSCC Director of Public Information Jane Pate Vondy said the site contains nearly 400 pages of information and links for future students, community and business leaders and friends of the college to access information. Each department at the college was involved in the process.

"It has been a labor of love by many, many people," said Vondy, who said that the project has been in the works for approximately three years, with a valiant push toward uploading the site within the past six months. "Every department in the college has had to be involved in collecting and proofing information. The whole goal was to make it easy to access information about DSCC. We have learned the future students rely on Web sites in choosing their college. We wanted to have something that showed all that is available at DSCC. The whole Web site is created from a guest's point of view. We tried to make it very easy for people to find what they need with very few clicks. (To think,) 'what would people like to know about this wonderful place?'"

The main page format, more relaxing and welcoming than the old site, includes a way for the college to showcase its students.

"The main page is reserved for students who distinguish themselves," said Vondy. "So other people can see the role models we've helped prepare on the campus."

The site works hand-in-hand with the Banner Enterprise Resource Planning recently mandated by the Tennessee Board of Regents for schools of higher learning within its system. Through the Banner system information is consolidated and made available to each department at the college.

The main page provides links to maps, driving directions, human resources opportunities, news releases, public information, student services as well as information on financial aid, academics, athletics, community resources and continuing education.

Campus security reports, contact information, events, registration, staff email addresses, giving opportunities and a search of information offered by the new Learning Resource Center are also available with a click of the mouse.

"It's deep and wide," said Vondy. "We are still in the process of editing and proofing all those things. We are still refining and adding to. This is a very important first impression of the college. And it's as easy as www.dscc.edu.\"