Academic Web Content Procedures

This page outlines the process for requesting web content updates to academic department webpages. Its purpose is to clarify the webpages maintained by academic areas versus those maintained by UMC, and to define roles related to content ownership, writing, and CMS updates.

Roles and Responsibilities

Below are the primary roles involved in maintaining and updating academic department webpages to help clarify ownership, expectations, and points of contact throughout the content request and publishing process.

College Marketing and Communications Managers (Mar/Comm Mngr)

The College Marketing and Communications Managers (Mar/Comm Mngr) work in UMC to craft strategic marketing and communications messages on behalf of the colleges to which they are assigned. Their responsibilities do not extend to departments unless a special exception is requested by the Dean and approved by the Associate Vice President for Marketing and Communications.

College Digital Content Managers (DCMs)

The College Digital Content Managers (DCMs) work in UMC to manage strategic website content on behalf of the colleges to which they are assigned. Their duties include strategy, CMS editing, and technical support based on the type of webpage involved and they work closely with all members of UMC to complete projects.

Academic Website Contact

Each academic website is required to have at least one website contact who serves as UMC's key point of contact for any website questions or support needs. The website contact facilitates content collection and CMS edits for webpages which only require routine maintenance. They can email webmaster@mtu.edu for any edits beyond what was provided in their training and are authorized to request edit access and training for additional academic CMS users.

Academic CMS Users

Each academic website is encouraged to have additional CMS users beyond the website contact. These users act as additional support for generating content and/or making CMS edits, and are especially useful in assisting with webpages where they are subject-matter experts, such as undergraduate advising or lab management.

Subject-matter Expert

The content for some webpages with a specific focus, such as a Message from the Chair, advising information, or alumni outreach, must be developed by a subject-matter expert (not the Academic Website Contact or the College Marketing and Communications Managers). In these cases, the lead for the given webpage type will identify the appropriate subject-matter expert and coordinate content collection.

Key Definitions

Strategy Lead

Responsible for initiating the creation or review of a webpage type.

Content Lead

Responsible for either creating the necessary content or sourcing the content from a subject-matter expert, such as an advisor, department chair, faculty member, donor, etc.

CMS Support

Responsible for placing or editing content within the Content Management System (CMS) related to the webpage type. CMS products include Modern Campus CMS, Localist Events Calendar, WordPress, and cPanel through Central IT.

Breakdown of Responsibilities by Webpage Type

The table below identifies each webpage type, the responsible lead, who is expected to write or supply content, and who is responsible for publishing updates, so campus contacts know where responsibility begins and ends and how to request changes efficiently. Where Website Contact is listed as CMS Support, that individual should contact webmaster@mtu.edu for any work beyond what was included in their training.

Requesting CMS Content Updates

When a content update is needed, requests can be submitted as follows:

• Edits where DCM is noted as CMS Support can be emailed to webmaster@mtu.edu to be assigned to the appropriate team member.
• Edits where Website Contact is noted as CMS Support can be emailed directly to the appropriate site contact as documented in the CMS Site Contacts list.
  • Website Contacts and Academic CMS Users can email webmaster@mtu.edu for technical support or questions at any time.

Need Help?

If you need help with strategy or have questions about the CMS or best practices, please reach out to webmaster@mtu.edu to get in touch.