In November, web-strategy consulting firm mStoner Inc. held numerous input sessions on the Waterloo and Brantford campuses to hear from the Laurier community. These sessions included open meetings for anyone from the Laurier community, as well as more focused meetings for specific user groups, such as faculties, departments and administrative units. The university also hosted an online discussion forum from Nov. 13 to 30. The input sessions and the online forum provided the consultant and the university with a wealth of information and many constructive suggestions, which will be used to develop a strategy plan that will help the university in developing a new website.

Next steps

• By Dec. 31, 2012:  consultant mStoner Inc. will develop and submit a preliminary Phase 1 strategy report to be reviewed by Laurier's Web Review Steering Committee.
• By Jan. 31, 2013:  consultant mStoner Inc. will develop and submit a final Phase 1 strategy report to be reviewed by Laurier's Web Review Steering Committee.
• February-March 2013:  Laurier's Web Review Steering Committee will develop and issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to identify a suitable web-services firm to create the new Laurier website.
• Spring 2013:  A web-development firm will be selected and the work needed to create a new Laurier website will begin.