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K-State Research and Extension
123 Umberger Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506-3401
785-532-5820
extadmin@ksu.edu

September 24, 2024

Local Unit Website Upgrades

Submitted by Meg Stopps

We are working closely with the Web Services Department to get all local unit websites into the updated university website templates by the end of this year. If you have not signed up to have your local unit website moved to the new templates, please do so in this shared sign-up document. Web Services will use the point of contact you have listed to begin your website upgrade. You will notice, we are currently working through this list and crossing off sites as we go.

There are two options for upgrades. Option #1 is the less labor intensive of the two. Web Services will simply take your existing site and migrate it to the updated design. Option #2 requires more skill and understanding of the content management system (CMS), and is for those who want to make bigger changes to their websites, like reorganizing/changing site navigation. I've included more details on each option below...

Option 1:

  • Easiest option.
  • Web services will migrate existing pages into the new look (automatic upgrade).
  • Takes approximately 1-3 days to complete. During this time, you will need to be available should web services have questions for you during the migration process.
  • Because banner image sizes have changed in the new design, you will have to update these/upload new images. We have provided links to image galleries with photos formatted for the new templates in the resources document linked below. You are free to use these in the process.

Option 2:

  • More labor intensive and requires more in-depth knowledge/understanding of the content management system (CMS). I compare this one to being given a sandbox and tools, but it's up to you to build the sandcastle how you imagine/envision.
  • Web services would make a copy of your website in a development site (i.e. beta site) not visible to the public.
  • The beta site would allow you to manipulate your website/make major changes without them being live for the public to see.
  • If immediate changes need to be made to your site, you would have to make sure they also get made to the beta site.
  • Once you have the beta site how you want it, web services would publish the site (make it live) and archive the old website.

Small disclaimer: the CMS is not changing. The website management system will still look the same when you login to your website using your K-State eid. Only webpage templates/designs will look different.

Here is a helpful document that goes through all web-related resources available to you.