Does this web site work? Utah State University (www.usu.edu).

Utah State University challenges multicolored college Web sites with its new Web site redesign, sleek and understated. Ironically, it's the site's new color scheme--constructed around an indistinct gray--which makes it so distinctive. And though gray is admittedly an unusual color for a college Web site (especially considering that USU's colors are blue and white), the new cosmetic work-up has a purposeful aim, says university Webmaster Charles Thomson: The Web site was designed to appeal to 18-year-olds by offering an air of youthfulness and freshness.

The redesign is an extension of the university's THINK campaign, which is focused on getting people to "think" about USU. This, in response to a survey conducted two years ago, which revealed that the general public didn't know very much about USU. Now, prominently displayed on the Web site's home page is the message, "Think Utah State." A virtual tour will be added in June, and unlike more conventional Web site tours that feature an array of online snapshots, this tour will offer segments of a campus "reality TV" series focusing on different campus activities such as a football game and tailgate party, and interviews with students who cloned a mule. USU's site is certainty original.

Best Features

* Gray color scheme is distinctive. As a Web designer, I think the use of the gray color scheme is very effective here, and really sets this site apart from others. The gray may not appeal to everyone, but for today's students who are into clean, modern design, it should be right on target.

* Good balance of visuals and text. The site offers a solid balance of vibrant, unposed images paired with easy-to-read text on main pages.

* Easy navigation. Visitors will find it easy to see where they are and how they got there. Importantly, there are no overwhelming graphics to inhibit quick navigation and usability.

* Ample action photos. Shots of students interacting with the campus and surrounding community demonstrate an active student life.

* Flash options. Visitors have the option to turn off the Flash button, which is helpful for those visitors who have slow or dial-up connections.

* Solid sell of academics. USU shows its commitment to academics through its well-presented Academic Programs page. By featuring photos of engaged students in three different learning environments, and an intriguing slogan ("Seven colleges. More than 200 majors. One university."), visitors get a sense of the importance USU places on academics.

* Student centered. The A-Station section--a student site--is given a slot on the home page. Students are bound to appreciate easy access to this site.

* Parent friendly. The parents' section is full of valuable information such as a calendar of important dates, a parents' help line, and a campus weather update. Essential, because parents like to feet that they are being informed and valued.

* Inviting community section. The site paints a nice portrait of the campus's surrounding community of Logan Valley, Utah. It's vital to accurately portray a school's off-campus environment since this is a major consideration of students and parents, when choosing a college.

* Visitor convenience. Offering an online form to schedule a campus tour is a great way to save paper as welt as prospective students' time.

Needs Work

* Gray is not for everyone. Gray seems an unlikely color for a college site. It's not particularly exciting or attractive, and as a student, I can't imagine it would grab the attention of other young people. What's more, the text and graphics do little to liven up the drab coloring.

* Inconsistent design. White the home page is updated, streamlined, and attractive, other pages are not, giving the appearance of a university with several personalities.

* Too text-heavy. Some of the departmental pages (ones that are several clicks away from the home page) are very text-heavy and difficult to read. They offer no graphics or color--a disincentive to read.

* Nondescript photos. What does the photo in the top left-hand corner of the home page represent? It looks like a photo of stained glass. The home page should feature only purposeful, easily interpretable photos.

* Small, inconsistent logo. The size and style of the school's logo varies throughout the site, and sometimes it's much, much too small.

* Needs more diversity. While the university is probably not very diverse, shouldn't it offer photos that represent a more diverse student body? USU might entice a more diverse student population this way.

* Missing information. Whoops! The site fails to give current or future application deadlines on the Dates & Deadlines page under the Admissions section. Evidently, it hasn't been updated since 2003!

* Hard to get in touch with Technical. There's no information about how to contact the Webmaster, should a visitor want to report broken [inks or other problems on the site.

* Time-consuming downloads. The MP3s of school songs take too tong to download. Someone without a direct connection to the school might lose interest white waiting for the download to happen.

* Lack of privacy. Residence advisors' phone numbers and photos are included on the site, which seems a bit inappropriate to me. Including just their e-mail addresses should be sufficient.

Suggestions

* Add more color. The gray color scheme can work if they spice it up with some vivid, contrasting colors. Also, the tower left photo on the home page appears to be in black and white. Why not use color photos?

* Liven up text. On the pages that seem text-heavy, make reading easier by creating boxes for information, changes in type size, and adding graphics and color.

* Bigger logo size. The Logo size should be bumped up on the home page and made consistent throughout the other site pages.

* Unify site. Admissions and Alumni pages, for example, do not conform to the site's new look. They have different designs, coloring, and navigation--all of which break down the sense of community and continuity.

* Search function positioning. The Search function should appear in the same or similar place on each page, to give the site a cohesive look and feet.

* Reprioritize links. The Web Cam feature gets a top-positioned link, over the prospective and current students, and the admissions link. Why? White such a feature is nice, it shouldn't be a main [ink. Students have more important things to worry about (i.e., financial aid) than what the campus looks like at any given moment. (Besides, those gray Web cam shots took so dreary!) Maybe they could incorporate a colorful campus snapshot on the home page, instead?

* Create an FAQ page. Prospective students seek out an FAQ List, but I couldn't find one on this site. It is their one-stop shop for answers regarding enrollment, admissions, deadlines, etc.

* Include contact info. There should be a toll-free number posted at the bottom of each page, along with the local number and link to the Webmaster's e-mail so that a visitor can report a broken link.

Rosita Fernandez-Rojo is a college counselor at Choate Rosemary Hall (CT).

Sherrill Kushner is the parent of a college student.

Sara Lindholm is a senior at Guilderland High School (NY).

Keith Moore is the principal of Keith Moore Associates (keithmooreassociates.com), a marketing and communications consulting firm specializing in higher education.

Kirk Snedeker is Web manager for University Business and former Webmaster for Southern Connecticut State University.