Philosophy
Over many years and changes, the University of Richmond's web platform has remained rooted in:
Clarity of architecture/navigation ("wayfinding") to maximize the user experience through a concise and intuitive approach, while reflecting the University's culture of individual attention and support.
Shared ecosystem of single-source content (i.e., not duplicating similar content on multiple sites) that demonstrates the breadth of opportunity at Richmond, dynamically delivering rich and related content to create pathways of exploration around the user.
A mindset of innovation, always aiming to be best-in-breed and demonstrating Richmond's position as a thought leader in higher education.
Content Management
The web at the University of Richmond is centrally managed, meaning that across all offices and departments, we use a single Content Management System (CMS), known as Cascade CMS. Within Cascade, we share page templates and upload content such as images, stories, and events, to the same server so that others may also utilize that content. Consistent design and sharable content are hallmarks of this approach, and ensure a cohesive experience across all sites for visitors to richmond.edu. Consult our Resources for more accurate and updated guidance.
Each site is part of our a larger web infrastructure at UR. To ensure consistency across all richmond.edu sites, a designated communicator within an office/department manages their site(s) and collaborates with University Communications and Web Services staff. Sites with high visibility to the public (ex: Admissions, Financial Aid) and frequent traffic from the campus community (ex: Dining, Arts & Sciences) typically require advanced CMS training and frequent collaboration with these offices to ensure messaging and branding is accurate. All other sites require basic CMS training and consultation from these offices as needed.
For common change requests and trainings, please submit a ticket through SpiderTechNet.
Hermes Evolution
And as we evolve into our newest web framework, Hermes, our web strategy has expanded to include the following goals:
- Modernize the technical infrastructure and site performance
- Optimize content strategy through data analytics
- Improve compliance with web accessibility guidelines
- Infuse the University’s brand expression
University Communications works closely with Web Services within Information Services to improve the overall quality of campus websites and increase ease of use for campus contributors. Web Services is responsible for the maintenance and technical support of the University's Web systems and software.