From: Information Technology Services and Marketing & Communications

All HSU departments are now able to utilize OpenHSU for building and maintaining their websites.

OpenHSU is a Drupal-based tool customized for HSU. It makes it easier to create websites that fit within University brand and design guidelines, and that function well on desktops and mobile devices. It also makes it much easier to update content.

Visit web.humboldt.edu for more information, an OpenHSU user guide, examples of sites built using OpenHSU, and general requirements for official campus websites.

OpenHSU has been in development a number of years, and has already been tested and implemented extensively across campus. New features are being added on an ongoing basis as needs are identified, and additional training is planned.

Plans are to finish migrating most of HSU’s public-facing websites over the next 18 months, with a limited number of exceptions.

In most cases, departments can transfer existing content or start a new site with the help of ITS web support staff. The process involves a short consultation and training. In other cases, such as departments within the academic Colleges, specific templates or guidelines may be required.  For a limited number of sites with a strong external marketing function, more assistance with content and design will be necessary. These types of sites may require a consultation or project with Marketing & Communications.

Adoption of OpenHSU has a number of benefits at the University level. It allows for better support and training for website content managers, more oversight of security updates, and better design consistency across campus, and it helps with efforts to make resources more accessible as part of CSU’s Accessible Technology Initiative. All of this creates a better experience for users.

Sites on OpenHSU are also hosted off-campus, reducing the overall cost and staff time needed to maintain servers for public-facing websites.

For more information or to request an OpenHSU site for your department, visit web.humboldt.edu or email webadmin@humboldt.edu. For general support with OpenHSU sites, you may also contact the ITS Help Desk at 826-4357.