About the Project

Guiding Principles

1. The Web designs and products developed in this project will be learner-driven and provider-structured. The designs and products will be based on a strong understanding of user needs and on user testing.

2. Student service models will be based on well-established guidelines and standards, such as the ACRL Guidelines for Distance Learning Library Services, World Wide Web (W3C) Content Accessibility Guidelines, the NACADA Statement of Core Values of Academic Advising, and CAS standards, where they exist. Where they do not, the need for guidelines will be identified and documented. As appropriate, guidelines for student services that are developed by the project partners during the course of the project will be published.

3. The student services staff responsible for implementing newly developed online student services modules at partner institutions will be involved in the initial planning process.

4. As appropriate, Web service modules developed through this project will focus on customization, providing a Web interface linked to an individual student's profile and interests, and enabling the student to answer easy questions for him/herself and to contact as quickly as possible a real person when further help is needed.

5. Student services models developed in this project will be designed for replication by other institutions developing similar services.

6. All partners will share information about their project activities and progress openly and on a regular basis with one another through communication systems established by WCET. In addition, information about the project's processes, products, and results will be widely shared with the public both during and after the project.

7. Partner institutions will track and document the process through which student services models are developed at the institution.