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Community involvement is focus of Web site

"Your UB" offers user-friendly way to access university’s services

Published: May 11, 2006

By ARTHUR PAGE
Assistant Vice President

The community has a new user-friendly way to learn about UB's local impact and to access the university's services and programs with the new "Your UB" Web site.

The site at http://www.buffalo.edu/ community/ is accessed easily from the UB home page by clicking on "Community" under the "Information" heading.

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"'Your UB' helps to tell the story of the many dimensions of the university's involvement in the community," said Marsha S. Henderson, vice president for external affairs.

"The level of UB's involvement in the community is remarkable," Henderson noted. "The university is involved in all areas of the community. However, because of the depth and breadth of that involvement—UB is so tightly woven into the fabric of the community—it's a challenge to tell that story and we have not always done a good job at highlighting and conveying the many facets of our community involvement.

"This Web site is one way in which we will accomplish that for both external and internal audiences," Henderson said. "It not only encourages the community to take advantage of UB's expertise, programs and services, it also allows members of the university community to make connections across the campus."

"Your UB" encourages the community to tap into UB expertise by providing links to services and programs in a number of areas, including business and economic development; health resources; arts, culture and entertainment; and programs that touch students at every level across the pre-K-16 spectrum.

The UB Resource Guide on the site contains a long list of university programs and direct links to their Web sites for more information. Faculty and staff are encouraged to review the resource guide and, through an email link, communicate information about UB services that should be added to the guide.

A highlight of the Web site is a bank of stories—which will be expanded over time—about the many meaningful ways in which UB is engaged with the community and which include testimonials from those who have benefited. Specific areas of impact highlighted by the site are community, economic and pre-K-16 education.

The site also focuses on news stories about UB's community engagement and invites visitors to subscribe to UB NewsDirect, the university's weekly email newsletter.

Henderson noted that the development of "Your UB" was spearheaded by staff in the Office of Marketing and Creative Services, and also involved work by staff in the Office of News Services and Periodicals and the Office of Government and Community Affairs.