Java EE (Java Enterprise Edition) General Discussion

Hi, all. We're choosing tools for developing intranet and Internet portals
for our university and want to know what options are available. Don't laugh,
but we're still using ASP for our Web apps! We'd like to know:
- How easy it is to build a flexible, reliable, data-driven portal for a
higher ed site using Java/JSP?
- What portal-specific features does Java offer?
- How difficult/easy is it to maintain such a portal?
- Can such a portal be tied to a SQL Server or Oracle db on the backend
easily?
- From beginning to end, on average, how much time would it take to
build such a portal with Java vs. some of the other tools?
- Are there any example sites for higher ed?
- We need a dynamic site that will capture the students' eye and keep
them coming back. Are there guidelines on how to build portals to hook your
audience and make the experience so dynamic and fresh that they'd actually
want to use the site each day?

We know that's asking a lot, but your guidance is much appreciated. Thank
you :)