Faculty Web Sites FAQ

Information Technology Services supports web sites for all faculty and instructors. ITS has created a new hosting platform for faculty pages at sites.roosevelt.edu based on the popular WordPress blogging application.

What are the benefits of the WordPress - based site?

WordPress can support the creation of simple home pages using skills similar to those required for basic word processing, but it also offers support for a wide range of additional features:

• Tabbed display of multiple pages
• Easy control of text styles support for custom headers
• Blogging with optional user comments
• Posting of images and audio and video content
• Document libraries
• Calendars
• Integration with social networking services such as Facebook and Twitter

In most cases no specialized technical knowledge is required to add these features to your site. Plus, you can log into your site using your standard network/email password.

When will the new faculty site be available for use?

The RU Sites service is now in production and ITS is accepting requests from faculty who wish to create new sites.

Who is eligible for space on the site?

This site is open to all faculty and adjunct instructors.

How do I request a site on the new server?

To request an account on RU Sites, please contact the Help Desk in writing from the Request Support tab on the Help Desk site (you can also submit your request by phone at 312.341.4357). An ITS technician will set up your account and help you get started.

I used the web form on the old system to generate my home page automatically. Can I use that method to create my new site?

The WordPress application does not come equipped with a web form tool for automatically generating web pages. However, the features of your old form-generated page can be replicated on the new system using ordinary word processor-style editing tools. See the WordPress Quickstart Guide for more information on page editing.

I'm currently using my own authoring software to create a custom web site. Can I upload my existing HTML files directly into WordPress?

WordPress uses a content management system that does not support the upload of complete web pages, so you will need to recreate your new site manually. Fortunately, you may in some cases be able to use copy/paste techniques to add blocks of HTML-coded content from your old pages into pages on your new site to speed the migration process.

Can I move my document library from the old server to the new one?

Yes. Most file types, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF, image, and multimedia files, can be uploaded into WordPress and made available to visitors to your site. Some media files can be configured to display directly in the WordPress environment.

Where can I learn about editing my web site?

For a quick introduction to creating a basic home page in WordPress, consult the WordPress Quickstart Guide. Links to detailed documentation are available on the WordPress site.

When did the old faculty web server go away?

After an adequate transition period, the old faculty web server was decommissioned on May 10, 2011, one week after the close of Spring semester.

How will my students and colleagues find my site?

Faculty members can modify their personal profiles on the university directory service to include links to their new sites. Follow the "Edit your record" link on the Faculty and Staff Directory page.

16 Jun 2011