2008 Woodie Awards
Computer science students offer Web site building service
Elizabeth Simmons
Issue date: 2/8/08 Section: Campus
If you want to get your name out on the Web, you have to use all the right BITS and pieces-and Miami University's new student-run company, Benton Information Technology Solutions (BITS), can help accomplish just that.
According to BITS President Lauren Ward and Vice President Susan Critzer, BITS is an IT consulting business that focuses on dynamic Web design, with one client, Miami sorority Chi Omega, already under its belt.
"We think we have a great service for the Greek community," Ward said, adding that BITS is trying to work with Associated Student Government (ASG) and plans on marketing to uptown establishments and churches in Oxford.
Douglas Troy, computer science and systems analysis department chair and adviser for BITS, said he receives requests every semester from student groups seeking help creating their Web sites.
Troy said BITS was created to meet this need, however their primary goal reaches beyond that.
"(It) is to provide an opportunity for students to develop leadership and entrepreneurship," Troy said.
During the spring semester of 2007, Troy organized a board of directors for BITS composed of department faculty, alumni and Miami Information Technology (IT) Services members. This board then conducted interviews for the company's executive positions.
With the board's help, BITS opened last semester and now has an office in Benton 205-O. Currently the company employs 15-20 students in executive, technical and beginner positions where staff members can be taught the basics of Web programming. While most of the employees are computer science or systems analysis majors, Ward said that the company is open to all majors and already involves marketing and graphic design students who advertise for BITS and develop logos and page layouts, respectively.
Ward has big ideas for BITS as it continues to develop.
"The whole department is excited about this company," Ward said. "(There are) lots of opportunities for growth. We need to establish a solid foundation."
According to BITS President Lauren Ward and Vice President Susan Critzer, BITS is an IT consulting business that focuses on dynamic Web design, with one client, Miami sorority Chi Omega, already under its belt.
"We think we have a great service for the Greek community," Ward said, adding that BITS is trying to work with Associated Student Government (ASG) and plans on marketing to uptown establishments and churches in Oxford.
Douglas Troy, computer science and systems analysis department chair and adviser for BITS, said he receives requests every semester from student groups seeking help creating their Web sites.
Troy said BITS was created to meet this need, however their primary goal reaches beyond that.
"(It) is to provide an opportunity for students to develop leadership and entrepreneurship," Troy said.
During the spring semester of 2007, Troy organized a board of directors for BITS composed of department faculty, alumni and Miami Information Technology (IT) Services members. This board then conducted interviews for the company's executive positions.
With the board's help, BITS opened last semester and now has an office in Benton 205-O. Currently the company employs 15-20 students in executive, technical and beginner positions where staff members can be taught the basics of Web programming. While most of the employees are computer science or systems analysis majors, Ward said that the company is open to all majors and already involves marketing and graphic design students who advertise for BITS and develop logos and page layouts, respectively.
Ward has big ideas for BITS as it continues to develop.
"The whole department is excited about this company," Ward said. "(There are) lots of opportunities for growth. We need to establish a solid foundation."
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