CUNY Academic Commons

Hi All,

In conjunction with #21327 we discussed updating the language in the "Site Layout Setting" during site creation: https://commons.gc.cuny.edu/sites/create/

Updates to these blurbs may help clarify what users are selecting when they choose one of the layouts/templates. I notice we call these options both layouts and templates and we may want to choose a term. I think layout is actually more accurate but most people have been referring to these as template. Whatever we decide to go with, we should be clear in this section that layout does not equal Theme.

I think as part of this update we might revisit the titles of the layouts, in particular the "academic portfolio template", which I think should be changed to Faculty Portfolio, since many new portfolio layouts will be added by campuses.

Current text is pasted below. I will add a suggested rewrite in the next few days.

Site Layout

The Site Layout tool is designed to make the process of creating a Commons site a little easier by helping you choose a design and a collection of plugins that correspond to the purpose of your new site. The following layouts have been suggested by previous Commons users based on their experience.

Your new site will be configured to match the layout you choose below. These configurations are defaults only; they can be changed after your site has been created.

Default Template Demo (opens in new window)

The Blog layout is the default and provides a basic design for getting started with a website that features regular posts and content updates. It's a popular design for blogging, reflecting on scholarly work, or sharing regular news updates.

No plugin packages are included.
Teaching Template Demo (opens in new window)

Teaching Template

The Teaching Template launches a WordPress site that is pre-configured to meet common needs of those who teach courses using the CUNY Academic Commons. It has editable pre-set Home Page, Syllabus page, Course Schedule page, and a menu with links to pre-configured blog post category archives for Announcements, Resources, and all of your Posts. It also has a set of common widgets added by default to the sidebar, as well as our Teaching Plugin Package pre-activated.

All of these options are editable, but should you select the Teaching Template, we recommend that you do not then select a different theme, as the pre-configured options will no longer be in effect. Select this template if you plan to teach on the Commons, and want to save time in setting up your course site.
Academic Portfolio Template Demo (opens in new window)

Academic Portfolio Template

The Academic Portfolio Template launches a WordPress site pre-configured to present the work of a scholar and teacher. It contains an editable Home Page, CV Page, Research Page(s), Teaching Page, Service Page, and default blog category of "News." Select this template if you want to show off your work.
View the Template (opens in new window)

Conference Template

The Conference Template launches a WordPress site pre-configured for conference organizers who want to host their outreach on the Commons. The Conference Template comes with pages for proposal submission, presenter guidelines, registration, and more. The site is fully customizable and site admins and conference organizers can use, edit, and add new pages, posts, and plugins as needed.

The template also comes with several plugins activated to support hosting a conference website on the Commons. Gravity forms, Google Doc Shortcode Embed, and Eventbrite plugins can help streamline registration. Jetpack offers a suite of tools, including site analytics, Twitter integration, and a “subscribe” feature which allows attendees to sign up to receive updates from the site.
Browse Past Conferences on the Commons