Improving Open Graph Tags on hope.edu

We’ve recently made a “behind the scenes” update to our hope.edu pages and sites within OU Campus that greatly improves the metadata code provided for open graph tags. Open Graph is a technology first introduced by Facebook in 2010 that allows integration between Facebook and its user data and a website. By integrating Open Graph meta tags into our page’s content, we can identify which elements of our pages we want to show when someone share’s a page on Facebook or Twitter.

By implementing this, Facebook no longer has to guess what image to pull when our pages are shared, for example.

Facebook describes it this way:

The Open Graph protocol enables developers to integrate their pages into Facebook’s global mapping/tracking tool Social Graph. These pages gain the functionality of other graph objects including profile links and stream updates for connected users.

OpenGraph tags often look something like this:

<meta property="og:title" content="Example title of article">
<meta property="og:site_name" content="example.com website">
<meta property="og:type" content="article">
<meta property="og:url" content="http://example.com/example-title-of-article">
<meta property="og:image" content="http://example.com/article_thumbnail.jpg">
<meta property="og:image" content="http://example.com/website_logo.png">
<meta property="og:description" content="This example article is an example of OpenGraph protocol.">

Cool, right? If none of this makes sense, all you need to know is our hope.edu web pages will look better when shared on social media sites like Facebook.

Introducing: Spera

Spera 2018
Spera 2018

See the 2018 and the inaugural issue of Spera, a new print and web publication focused on the research, scholarship and creative performance of Hope College faculty. Spera will be produced annually by the Office of Public Affairs and Marketing.

Themes in this issue include: Looking Back at the Reformation, the Fine Arts, Science on the Cutting Edge, Education and Vocational, Dimensions of Disability, Life in the Public Square and Faculty Books.

Available online at spera.hope.edu.

 

NEW: OU Campus Help Videos

Did you forget how to find the login screen? Still not quite sure if you’re placing images correctly? Need to make a new page, but you’ve never started one from scratch before?

Believe it or not, you’re not the only one with these (and other) questions. You’re not alone. And help is here!

We compiled a list of most common questions and put together a new library of video tutorials that will guide you through the details of using OU Campus to edit content on the Hope College website. Here’s an example:

(That voice you hear is Allison Johnson, one of the superstar students in our office.)

Here’s a list of topics:

  • Logging in
  • Understanding your dashboard
  • Creating new pages
  • WYSIWYG toolbar
  • Gadget menu
  • Assets vs. snippets
  • How news works
  • Page properties
  • Accordions
  • Banner images
  • Calls to action
  • Uploading and inserting photos
  • Photo galleries
  • Tables
  • Inserting videos
  • Page check
  • Workflow


Check out the videos today! And remember, you can always refer to the OU Campus Users’ Guide (PDF).

Of course, you’re still welcome to contact us if you have any questions!

Thinking about creating a video? Read this first!

Over the last year, there has been a significant increase in Hope College video production. With more Hope video comes more visibility for the college (great!) as well as more demand, more deadlines and more concern about quality (sometimes stressful!). Recently, the Public Affairs and Marketing team updated its guidelines for video production. We invite you to take a look, and let us know if you have any questions. In the meantime, let us answer a few of the most common questions we field:

  • I’d like to create a video and post it to the Hope website. How do I do that? In order to be posted on the Hope website, your video first must be published on the Hope YouTube Channel… and in order for the video to be published on the Hope YouTube Channel, you must follow Hope’s video production guidelines.
  • Do I have to let Public Affairs and Marketing know I’m creating a video? If you want your video to be considered for the Hope YouTube Channel, yes! Contact us at least two weeks prior to the start of your production — but ideally, as soon as you get the idea for your video.
  • Can a student produce a video for our office or department? You bet! Hope students are very talented, and they do great work on videos. (Here’s an example of a fantastic video that a *student* produced for a recent Admissions initiative.) If a student is creating a video that you plan to post on the Hope website, the student must meet with a Web Communications staff member prior to production so we can discuss the guidelines in person. To set up a meeting, contact the team at 395.7860 or web@hope.edu.
  • Can you make the video for me? Hope College does offer professional video services! Our video services manager, Phil Blauw, is awesome. Submit your request, and we’ll follow up to begin planning the next steps.
  • What’s the best length for a video? Quick answer: Depends on how you’re using it, but somewhere between 30 and 60 seconds.
  • I shot a video and noticed afterward that the students/employees we featured were wearing Calvin apparel. Is that OK? That’s a trick question! If you answered “yes,” go immediately to the Hope College Bookstore! Do not pass GO! Do not collect $200! It hurts our orange-and-blue hearts when we see Hope videos featuring students and employees wearing branded attire from other schools.
  • It’s cool if I wait until the last minute to request that my video get posted on the Hope College YouTube channel, right? Another trick question! Please give us as much notice as you can. Do not wait until your video is complete to make your request. (Tip: Our very first question will be, “Did you follow the guidelines?”)
  • Does it matter if I use my mobile device to produce the video? Does it matter if I shoot video horizontally or vertically? Does it matter if I use copyrighted music and images in my video? Yes, yes and YES. Please see the guidelines for more information.
  • I don’t have the Hope logo on file. Can I recreate the logo myself, and maybe throw in some Comic Sans font? Ouch! Proper usage of the Hope College brand is required for all videos. Our Creative Services team is happy to field your brand questions; contact them at 395.7860 or marketing@hope.edu.
  • Do I need to include a transcription of my video? OK, so we don’t get this question often. But you should know that, as of Jan. 1, 2018, all videos hosted by Hope College must include transcriptions for accessibility. You are required to submit a transcription for all videos. To discuss any questions or concerns, please contact our Web Communications team at 395.7860 or web@hope.edu.

 

Interested in chatting about your video ideas? Let us know. We can’t wait to help you flex your creative muscles.

Campusmail and studentmail changes

Recently the inclusion of images in “campusmail” and “studentmail” messages has become problematic. In some cases, the distribution of messages with images can take hours and hold up other messages. Additionally, the information in an image is not accessible to those with visual impairments.

Because this system is necessary for the prompt distribution of emergency and weather-related information, we are discontinuing the inclusion of images in messages for the time being. Text-only messages also have the benefit of being more easily read on mobile devices and can be searched at a later date.

If you have an image or file that you wish to share with the campus community, please upload it to Google Drive and include a link in your message.

Please also consider complementary communication options. For example, events can be submitted to the Campus Calendar, announcements can be submitted to inHope and you can create images to be shared on various screens around campus. Additionally, you might consider promoting larger events on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or your department blog.

Work is underway to develop a new system for the distribution of campus-wide messages in the months ahead.

Thank you for your understanding!

Julie Huisingh, Public Affairs and Marketing
Jeff Pestun, Computing and Information Technology

Save the Date – Employee Photos scheduled for January 9

Join us Tuesday, January 9 for a new employee photo!

Tuesday, January 9
Maas Conference Room
10 am – 3 pm

Photos will appear on the campus web site and will remain on file in a high resolution format for publicity.

Here are a few tips for great photos:

  • Photos are not closely cropped and will show your arms. Some may prefer to wear longer sleeves.
  • The photo background is a soft gray. We suggest wearing a shirt/sweater/jacket with some brighter color or something quite dark to give good contrast.
  • If you have “transitions lenses” please arrive a few minutes early so that your lenses can transition to their non-darkened state.

Hope to see you then!

Weather-related decisions and announcements

It’s that time of year! Snow is in the forecast, and some of you have been asking about Hope’s process for making weather-related decisions and announcements. As a reminder: A decision to close campus offices and cancel classes is typically announced prior to 6:30 a.m. In the rare event that offices are closed and classes are cancelled, you can find the announcement in the following places:

  • Hope website: The announcement will be posted on hope.edu/alert and inHope.
  • Media: The announcement will be shared with local media, including WTHS radio and WOOD, WZZM and WWMT television stations.
  • Text alert: The announcement will be issued via the HOPE ALERT emergency text messaging system. Please take a few minutes to verify that your emergency contact information is current by doing the following:
    > Go to hope.edu.
    > Click on “Personal Information.”
    > Click on “Update Emergency Contacts.” Your name (Relationship: Self) and cell phone number 
entered as an Emergency Contact will register you to receive HOPE ALERT messages.

When weather-related closures/cancellations occur, essential personnel (Campus Safety staff, plow drivers, etc.) are expected to report if at all possible. If unsure whether you are expected to report, please contact your supervisor directly.

For those crews that report to work between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., please use good judgment in determining whether it is safe for you to travel in for work. Notify your supervisor of your situation and stay alert to later announcements.

Stay warm, and good luck with finals!

 

Campusmail and you!

With many new members of our campus community, we felt it was time to send out a “Campusmail Refresher.”

What is Campusmail?

Campusmail is a system at Hope for distributing email messages to large sections of the campus community. It is moderated three times per weekday by Public Affairs and Marketing. The technical side is supported by CIT.

When should I send a Campusmail?

If you have an event or information that is useful to or of interest to the greater Hope College community, you can send a Campusmail. The message must be Hope College-related and originate from a faculty or staff Hope College email address.

Who receives Campusmails?

Messages can be distributed to all employees, only faculty or only staff. There are some retirees who have elected to remain on the Campusmail system, as well. In extraordinary cases (safety alerts, weather concerns), the messages can also be distributed to students.

Regular messages to students or specific targeted groups of students (e.g., all Philosophy majors) are handled through the Studentmail system (studentmail@hope.edu), coordinated by the Office of the Registrar.

How to send a Campusmail:

From your Hope College email account, send your message to campusmail@hope.edu. Include a helpful subject line and your intended recipients (e.g., all employees, only faculty, etc.). Also include a CAMPUSMAIL DISTRIBUTION header.

To:  campusmail@hope.edu

Subject: Join us for Special Event on 10/1

(Send to all Faculty)

CAMPUSMAIL DISTRIBUTION (from Jane Doe)

Please join Department Name on Monday, 10/1 at 10:00 am for our Special Event. Describe more helpful information here. Check our web site for other exciting events and materials.

Jane Doe

Please note:

  • Use images in emails sparingly. They are not always easily viewed on mobile devices and the contents of images cannot be searched at a later date. Additionally, embedded images can present challenges those with visual impairments.
  • Only one image can be embedded in a Campusmail due to technical limitations. When used, please reduce the file size of the image to <1 MB whenever possible.
  • Attachments are not permitted due to technical limitations with Campusmail. Instead, add your information to your web site or Google Drive and include a link in your email.
  • Using an email platform like MailChimp or Constant Contact to draft your email and then sending a single message to Campusmail for distribution violates those companies’ terms of service.
  • Consider complementary communication options. For example, events can be submitted to the Campus Calendar, announcements can be submitted to inHope and you can create images to be shared on various screens around campus. Additionally, you might consider promoting larger events on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or your department blog.

Online Resources for Students

The first few weeks of classes have come and gone and we’re officially immersed in the 2017-2018 academic year. Running from classes to extra-curricular activities, both students old and new are starting to settle into their rhythm for what’s to come as the year progresses.

But what if I told you there are more ways to help with this rhythm? To assist in discovering important information and acquiring access to tools that will make the day of any student easier? There are more than a few to be found around different Hope College websites.

Here’s a look at a few of the helpful online resources that you may not have known about:

inHope (in.hope.edu)

When you log in to in.hope.edu, you’ll have instant access to the one-stop shop of online resources for students. Not only can you search employees and students at Hope College, but you can also sign in to your 1Hope, plus.hope.edu, and Moodle accounts. And, don’t miss clicking on “Resources” for a full menu:

There are a number of useful links featured, including:

  • Marketplace, an online buying-and-selling board
  • Dining Menus for both Phelps and Cook Dining Halls
  • Handshake, the Career Development Center’s new website for discovering internships, job opportunities, and career-related events on campus
  • Ride Exchange, a forum for students to get a ride back home from another student in the community heading to the same place

 

inHope also features campus announcements, news, and more.

Hope College Campus Map (maps.hope.edu)

 

The Admissions Office isn’t the only place you can find a map of campus. At maps.hope.edu, you can find an interactive map of our entire campus. See 360 images through the Pine Grove, the Bultman Student Center, and more. Access virtual walking tours around the residence halls and learn the history of each through information bubbles that accompany each location.You can even select the “Parking” box and easily discover which parking lots are for students, employees, or visitors. The Campus Map is a perfect way to see all campus from the comfort of your laptop or phone, anywhere you may be.

Hope College Blog Network (blogs.hope.edu)

When asked about what makes Hope College the best college for them, many students often respond with the word “community”. The Hope College Blog Network highlights the stories of this transformative community. From academic features to study abroad experiences, the directory of blogs from across campus share pieces of the amazing things happening at Hope and in the world. This resource is also particularly helpful for hearing what’s happening in your favorite academic departments and student groups.

One useful blog offering, in particular, is a podcast through the Campus Ministries blog (blogs.hope.edu/campus-ministries/) which features a recording of each message given during our thrice-weekly chapel services as well as our weekly Sunday night Gatherings.

Library Search (hope.edu/lib)

On the Van Wylen Library’s website, students have access to a myriad of search options through the library’s own resources. These include The MightyFind, a search engine optimized to assist students in starting research projects by showing them an abundance of online resources related to their subject that can be refined by content type, date published, and more. Another option included is the Online Reference Shelf, which searches through encyclopedias, dictionaries, and almanacs to further define terms and concepts.

These resources are ones that will equip students with the knowledge to better tackle the year ahead and best utilize all that your Hope College education can offer.