How can I gain access to the University's web template?

The University's web template is available for use with Dreamweaver or as part of the Web CMS.  Traditionally, departments have used Dreamweaver to publish their websites.  This will continue for the foreseeable future until the Web CMS is fully rolled out.

Web CMS

To ensure good quality support and training for University staff, the Web CMS is being made available in a staged manner.  The order of the rollout is available.  A key aim of introducing the Web CMS is to support student recruitment and the rollout prioritisation to departments, centres, colleges and units reflects this.  In parallel with the rollout to academic departments, work is progressing with the administrative support departments (DFM, Registrar’s and Finance).

What can I do until the Web CMS is made available to my department/centre/unit?

Firstly, it is important to keep your website updated.  Secondly, if you wish to redevelop your website, please get in contact with the Web Office who can offer you advice and support on:

  1. Reviewing your content
  2. Upgrading your site to the University’s web template using Dreamweaver

In the long term, as stated in the Web CMS Policy (PDF , 106kb), each department/centre/unit will use the Web CMS which features the University template.  Consequently, work on the Web CMS needs to take priority over the rollout of the Dreamweaver template.  However, support is available and training materials have previously been developed.

Is upgrading to the University’s web template and then moving to the Web CMS not wasted effort?

No.  Many departments have found the process of reviewing their content extremely beneficial.  Adopting the University’s template will give your site a professional look and feel and avoid the time and cost of employing a web designer.  Provided the University’s web template is implemented as directed by the Web Office with no customisations being made, this will make the eventual migration to the Web CMS easier – a tool has been developed to import sites using the University’s standard template into the Web CMS.

 

Who to contact

William Mackintosh, Web Manager
01904 324878
william.mackintosh@york.ac.uk