Online Tools & Services

The web team manages a variety of web-based tools designed to help Williams communicate with the wider world, foster communication within the Williams community, and help everyone do their job more easily.

We work to maintain these services and continually improve the experience of those who use them. In that light, we welcome feedback that will aid us in our efforts. Just drop us a line at [email protected].

Website Content Management

wpWordPress is the content management system (CMS) that powers the college’s public websites. Sites built on WordPress include the college homepage, academic department sites, administrative department sites, and the bulk of personal sites created by faculty, staff, and students. Visit our web services page to learn more.

Public Events Calendar

calendarThe web team provides technical support for the college’s web-based public events calendar. The calendar is self-service with communications’ editorial services team overseeing the events posted. Please visit the calendar guidelines page to learn more.

Search

magnifyOur web search engine is built on Google Custom Search. All public webpages, including linked documents such as PDFs and Word files, are indexed and included in our search results.

Equally important to many users are the “promoted links” associated with common search terms that are highlighted in the search box and on the search results page. We built this tool with easy navigation in mind. Type a word in the search box and in most cases you will be presented with a couple of links to related sites. For example, if you type “people” you get links to PeopleSoft, the People directory, and the Alumni News/People magazine. Click any one of them to go directly to that site.

College Directories

directoriesDirectory information for faculty, staff, and students is stored in a central database managed by the Administrative Systems group in OIT. The web team builds and maintains the public interface to this information. Directories we manage include:

Interactive Campus Map

mapThe college’s online map is a highly customized version of the Google Maps interface. It is backed by its own content management system containing hundreds of campus locations, descriptions, and images. The current version of the map is relatively new and we look forward to expanding its functionality with the help of the Williams community.

Community Bulletin Board

switchboardWilliams Switchboard is an online forum limited to members of the Williams community. It’s a great place to connect with others in the community by asking for what you need and offering something you have (e.g., goods, services, advice).

The Switchboard website requires a Williams log in. To learn more about the site and how to create an account, visit this information page. Or you may go directly to the site williams.switchboardhq.com.