What is being done?
A soft launch of the new Queens College website will occur during the week of Spring Break. The QC website has undergone a complete redesign, build, and development within WordPress, a content management system (CMS).
Why is this being done?
The new website will provide a more user-friendly experience, easier navigation, full accessibility, and quicker search functionality. It will also offer a seamless mobile-friendly interface that adapts to user’s devices. We consulted with students, faculty, and staff throughout the development of the new website and hosted various demo sessions, and we will continue working with all areas to ensure a successful rollout.
Will the current SharePoint website be active once the WordPress site launches?
The current public Queens College website on SharePoint will not be available once the new website launches. For this reason, we kindly ask that you complete the required training and begin to publish content.
Will we still have access to edit our current website after the soft launch (and for how long)?
You will not have access to edit any SharePoint sites once the WordPress site launches. We kindly ask that you complete the required training and begin to publish content.
What happens to MyQC?
*Please note the Queens College intranet, MyQC, will not change at this time. We will explore options to update the intranet in the future.
Who is performing the work?
The Office of Communications and Marketing and the Office of Information Technology Services in consultation with students, faculty and staff.
When will the upgrade be complete?
We expect to cutover to the new system by the week of Spring Break (04/18-04/21). We will provide regular updates via QCmailers and emails as we approached the soft launch date.
What training will be provided to users?
Information Technology Services (ITS) will provide support to the campus community throughout the transition including:
-
CMS virtual training and support
- "Getting Started" tutorials
- Digital access basics
- Accessibility training
- CMS access to designated content editors
- Virtual orientations for new content editors
Communications and Marketing (C&M) will provide such support as:
- Website branding guidance
- Editorial guidance
- Assistance with images
What color scheme will the new website use?
Consistent with the Queens College branding guidelines, the color scheme of black, red and white was chosen.
How do I Get Started?
Each department head should designate at minimum one content publisher to maintain departmental site content. In addition, each department may choose to designate content editors to create and edit content that is reviewed and published by a content publisher. Please use the following link to request content publisher or content editor access for your department https://support.qc.cuny.edu/support/catalog/items/81. If you have questions or issues regarding designating a content publisher, you may contact ITS and Communications via the emails listed below.
Once access is approved by department heads, requestors will receive access to the required training. Content publishers and editors will be provided with access to the new website prior to the official launch to update content. Note that some pages will have been migrated as early as July 2020 and may require updates.
A strong emphasis has been placed on accessibility to ensure that website content is viewable to all users. We will work with departments and campus groups to ensure content publishers and content editors receive the appropriate training. All documentation and training will be easily accessible on the new website and via Fresh Service (https://support.qc.cuny.edu/support/solutions).
Where can I find available training?
Training is available via LinkedIn Learning and will be provided once content publisher or content editor access is approved by the department head.
How do I request a new webpage on the current SharePoint website?
Due to the extensive nature of the redesign project and the upcoming soft launch of the new website, we have placed a moratorium on new webpages on the current SharePoint website. Exceptions for institutional level, time-critical requests will be considered. Please email support@qc.cuny.edu.
How can I help support the redesign project at this point?
If you are a department head, please designate someone as a content publisher. If you have been designated as a content publisher for your department, please use the following link to request content publisher access: https://support.qc.cuny.edu/support/catalog/items/81, complete the required training and begin to update your departmental content.
Will my site URL change?
All websites hosted on the current SharePoint site will change. All sites hosted outside of SharePoint will remain the same. For example: www.biology.qc.cuny.edu will change, however, www.qc.cuny.edu/biology will not change.
What is a content publisher?
Content publishers are responsible for the overall maintenance of their assigned webpages. They create, edit, delete, and save content and have the exclusive power to publish changes. They coordinate with content editors and coordinators to ensure webpages reflect accurate information, and they liaise with ITS and Communications and Marketing. Content publisher responsibilities include the following:
- Content publishers are responsible for the overall maintenance of their assigned webpages. They create, edit, delete, and save content and have the exclusive power to publish changes. They coordinate with content editors and coordinators to ensure webpages reflect accurate information, and they liaise with ITS and Communications and Marketing. Content publisher responsibilities include:
- Completing content publisher training.
- Completing and remaining abreast of the content management system (CMS) and ADA web-compliance training.
- Conducting regular review (every six months) of webpages to remove/refresh outdated content. This includes updating promotional material, recapping events after they occur, and ensuring all links and forms are working.
- Ensuring all content, including text, photos, videos, and PDFs, whether posted by the department or with the assistance of others, is in compliance with QC website guidelines and ADA accessibility regulations.
- Reviewing and publishing content that is submitted by content editors.
- Deleting content as necessary.
- Creating and/or editing copy on existing pages. This includes posting news, events, or updates at the direction of, or in collaboration with, their chairperson or director
- Consulting with the Office of Communications and Marketing throughout the year as needed
As a content publisher, what content may I edit, update and publish?
The header and footer are the only items that cannot be changed. You may update documents, images, text and other items. Content editors may only request updates to items contained on the webpage with the exception of the header and footer.
What is a content editor?
Content editors are responsible for the day-to-day maintenance of their assigned webpages. They can create, edit, and delete content on their assigned webpages, however, they cannot publish changes. Content revisions are sent to content publishers for review and publishing. They coordinate with other content editors and coordinators to ensure webpages reflect accurate information. Content editor responsibilities include the following:
• Completing required content editor training.
• Completing and remaining abreast of CMS and ADA web-compliance training.
• Conducting monthly reviews of webpages to remove or refresh outdated content. This includes updating promotional material, title and office changes, recapping events after they occur, and ensuring that all links and forms are working.
• Ensuring that all content—including text, photos, videos, and PDFs, whether posted themselves or with the assistance of other editors—is in compliance with QC website guidelines and ADA accessibility regulations.
• Creating and editing content on existing pages. This includes posting news and event updates in collaboration with their chairperson or director and/or content coordinators to be approved and published by a content publisher.
What is a content coordinator?
Content coordinators serve as a department/school/office project manager to ensure that website updates occur in a timely manner. They liaise with publishers, editors, and subject matter experts. Access does not need to be requested for this role; it is an internal assignment.
What is a subject matter expert?
Subject matter experts are usually those responsible for the execution of programs, events, initiatives and more at the college. As the name implies, they know all there is to know about a particular subject and can provide accurate, relevant, and timely information to content coordinators, editors, and publishers in order to keep the website current. Access does not need to be requested for this role; it is an internal assignment.
I received content publisher access for my department, but I do not see some of my sites. What should I do?
Please complete the following request: https://support.qc.cuny.edu/support/catalog/items/134
What additional plug-ins or features are available?
There are many WordPress has a diverse group of plug-ins. Functionality, cost and security assessments are required for any plug-ins not currently installed on the website. To submit a plug-in request for review please use the feedback submission form using the following link: https://support.qc.cuny.edu/support/catalog/items/139..
My website/webpage contains outdated information? How do I update it?
Please contact the content publisher for your department. If you are the content publisher, your request must be approved by the department head and you must complete the required training before gaining access.
Where is the campus directory?
We are still developing the directory. The directory will be available in the next several months. We appreciate your patience as we continue to implement improvements.
Still have Questions?
Troubleshooting and technical support questions should be directed to the Information Technology Services at support@qc.cuny.edu
Content and graphic inquiries should be directed to the Office of Communications and Marketing at COMM_QCWebsite@qc.cuny.edu
The Office of Communications and Marketing and the Office of Information Technology Services will be testing and continuing to develop the website in the months ahead to ensure quality. Please look to your Queens College email for additional information and announcements.
*We will continue to add information to this FAQ as we receive inquiries*