As in the case with higher education in general, cultural adaption of a Web content management system (“cms”) here at Union is a mixed bag: 1) Some have grudgingly come to terms with it. 2) For some dental surgery is a more attractive alternative. 3) And then there are the artistically-inclined among us (we are a liberal arts college after all) that view “cms” as an opportunity to give full expression to their inner muses (see my “Painting Between the Lines” post).
This post is directed at groups 1 and 2. We urgently need to talk, and to be frank we may not always agree, and that’s okay, as long as we continue speaking to one another. As grandma used to say: “The best way to get something done is to begin.” Consider this the beginning of our conversation.
I still consider myself “new” (heck, I only started three months ago) and I’m loaded with questions. Perhaps many of the following you’ve answered before. But indulge me: What are the barriers that get between you and content management? Training? The system itself? The lack of clear and consistent exceptions? Is the online instruction manual too dense?
Or does this issue cut deeper than that: You don’t feel managing your corner of the website is your responsibility?
Fire away!
Ken George
Web Communications Director
Office of Marketing and Communications
Sorry for my ignorance, but who is this really aimed at? It seems you are concerned that some people are not using the CMS, though they should be.
Who do you expect to use the CMS? And those that are not using it — are they making web pages some other way or are they just not making web pages at all?
No apology needed. I’m the one not being clear.
This posted is an aimed at those in the Union community that trained on CMS, use it sporadically, if at all. Work study students often fill the breach. Given the frequent turnover in this labor pool, editorial consistency inevitably suffers.
My intent is to spark a conversation that will help me as Web communications director illuminate specific reasons for the breakdown and generate a plan to address it.
If you have any relevant experience in this matters I’d be appreciative if you shared it!
Thanks for the comments.
Ken George
Office of Marketing and Communications
Any chance of CMS training classes in the near future?
Absolutely Penny!
Please contact me at and I will be happy to set up some training time for you.
Thanks very much,
Ken George
Office of Marketing and Communications
Thanks for the offer Ken! I will be in touch with you shortly.