I launched the newest site for Allegheny College in February 2004, using CSS, XHTML, no tables, and much more. It's been a great success - apps are up and so is awareness of the power of the web in not only recruiting prospective students, but reaching out to alumni, parents, and the community. We also recently launched the first Podcast run by the marketing arm of a college, to great success as well. - Mike Richwalsky

Editor's Comments

Allegheny College's website is notable because to the school's knowledge, it was the the first college to offer a tableless, CSS design while also conforming to valid XHTML and CSS.

We enjoyed the tabbed, DOM-based navigation on the home page for its ease of use and speed. Many college and university sites rely on the audience (e.g. parent, alumni, etc...) and global (admissions, academics, etc...) menus being separated into two navigation elements. Combining the two into one task-based menu makes it easy for the user.

+ Valid XHTML
+ Valid CSS
+ Tableless CSS
+ Section 508

http://www.allegheny.edu

HSU's site was redesigned a year ago, and is valid XHTML, Section 508 compliant and uses valid CSS for layout. The redesign focused on highlighting HSU's unique programs and environment-- there are sixteen randomly loaded photographic banners with accompanying stories of HSU's successes, and embedded RSS feeds from the campus news site. - Andrea Arbogast

Editor's Comments

We particularly liked the design feature of the alphabetical site index across the footer area of every page, as well as the large clear CSS text styles. Throughout the other sections of the site (gateway pages, main pages), the concise design provides clarity and strong information and task organization.

+ Valid XHTML
+ Valid CSS
+ Tableless CSS
+ Section 508

http://www.humboldt.edu/

The home page redesign of Simmons College showcases how a college can develop a high-quality design while advantaging web standards (CSS, XHTML validation). This is one of the first college or university home pages we’ve seen proudly displaying XHTML and CSS validation links at the bottom of the page, which shows a continued commitment towards forward compliant site design.

The user interface design of the top level site is young and energetic. The use of vibrant colors and creative imagery carries throughout the top level pages of the website. Another interesting design feature is the use of changing color palettes and type of imagery (photos, paintings etc…) used for the college’s different schools. The design team did an excellent job in keeping the consistency of the layout and at the same time making each section fresh and inviting. I felt a sense of exploration as I navigated the top level of the website as if I was visiting a gallery for the first time. This is a far different feeling than most other college and universities websites which generally look completely template-driven or the reverse, styles are scattered everywhere with no consistency. Simmons pulls off a consistency of design which doesn’t stagnate though the surfing experience.

+ Tableless CSS
+ Home page validates for both XHTML and CSS
- Home page (not 508 compliant at the time of this post)
- Flash (instead of text links) used for navigation on school gateways.

About Simmons College
Simmons College is a nationally distinguished, small university in the heart of Boston.

Stunning photography on the home page and concentrated visuals spread throughout the site lend a true sense of Cornell life: its students, events, academic disciplines, innovations, campus locations, and activities. Throughout the upper levels of the site, quotes, outcomes and recruitment-focused content are used in parallel with topical news and events headlines. The result? A sense of liveliness and vigor that speaks to students, alumni, researchers, and today's global audience. On gateway pages, content is web-friendly (chunked and above the fold) with featured content leading the visitor and reader deeper into related areas.

The search function provides active returns in multiple areas, including search results from Cornell websites, people, events, units, and facts.

+ Tableless CSS
+ Validates (with the exception of some news headline HTML entities)
+ Accessible to 508

About Cornell University
Once called "the first American university" by educational historian Frederick Rudolph, Cornell University represents a distinctive mix of eminent scholarship and democratic ideals.

The sites provides an impressive courses and qualifications search. Type any keyword and see an instant return of qualifications, courses for both undergraduate and graduate.

+ Tableless CSS
+ Validates
+ Accessible

About The Open University
The Open University is the UK's largest university for part-time higher education, offering supported open learning materials for undergrad & postgrad qualifications in many subjects.

www.open.ac.uk

+ Tableless CSS
+ Validates
+ Accessible to 508

California College of the Arts (CCA)
Founded in 1907, California College of the Arts (CCA) is the largest regionally accredited, independent school of art and design in the western United States.

http://www.cca.edu

+ Tableless
+ Accessible (except for A. 508 Standards, Section 1194.22, (a))
- Did not validate at the time of testing

http://www.nyu.edu

Submissions can include any college, university or consituent organization website (e.g. professional school, research institute or center, alumni community, admissions, faculty, department, service organizations, student groups, portals, online learning, student services, news media and online publications). We welcome submissions from the around the world.