Website Support FAQs

Can any student organization request a website?

SE Technical Services provides web hosting and technical support to the following undergraduate student organizations only:

• Undergraduate student organizations recognized by Student Engagement.

• Greek Organizations registered by Fraternity & Sorority Affairs.

• Sports clubs registered with Competitive Club Sports.

A complete list of these organizations can be found by referring to the  'Cuse Activities website.

What options are available for website hosting?

WordPress

SE Technical Services provides organizations and clubs with access to a convenient method of creating websites using WordPress. WordPress is an easy-to-use content management/blogging tool that can be enhanced through the use of plugins and themes. Our implementation allows us to maintain blogs and websites for multiple organizations and clubs with a single installation of WordPress while still providing those organizations the ability to customize their individual site. To request a hosted site in the WordPress environment, please contact SE Technical Services at sehelp@syr.edu.

Can a Student Organization request any domain name for its website?

Generally, no. Web sites hosted in the Technical Services’ WordPress environment have the following URL: https://studentorgs.syr.edu/<name> where <name> represents a single word description of the organization (e.g. https://studentorgs.syr.edu/sailing).

Who can edit/maintain a Student Organization website?

Student Organization’s can request that any member of their organization be provided access to edit/update their website. Login to the WordPress environment is restricted by NetID so student organizations can send the website URL and NetIDs of members who need access to sehelp@syr.edu.

How long are websites active? Do they ever expire?

Technical Services will monitor activity on the websites of student organizations. Organization websites that have not been updated from year to year may be deactivated and have their access to the WordPress environment removed. Initially, an inactive site will be archived (i.e. it will no longer be visible but saved in the WordPress environment). If an organization's website or account has been archived, please email sehelp@syr.edu to have the website brought back online. Sites that are archived with no further activity for an extended period will be deleted.

Are there any limitations on the size and type of content on a Student Organization website?

Technical Services currently does not limit the amount of space or pages that an organization’s web site uses. The content of all submissions from student organizations must be consistent with Syracuse University’s Code of Student Conduct, Office of Student Activities’ standards and institutional values. Issues regarding content and illegal use of the Student Experience web site will be directed to the organization’s consultant in the Office of Student Activities. Storing copyrighted software or media on a Student Organization website is strictly forbidden. Also, to ensure that members of the university community can effectively access web content, websites hosted by the university should adhere to the University Accessibility Policy. Technical Services can provide guidance on making an organization website more accessible.  Please note: Student organization websites can not collect payments. Please refer to your consultant in the the Office of Student Activities, Barnes Center Recreation or the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs for fundraising options.

Will ESE Technical Services develop a website for a Student Organization?

Technical Services will build a basic website structure for student organizations but it is the responsibility of the organization to input the website content. Technical Services can provide training on the use of WordPress if organizations require it. We can also assist organizations if their needs are more complicated than basic web pages. Email sehelp@syr.edu to request training or additional assistance. 

Does ESE Technical Services provide E-mail accounts for use in conjunction with a Student Organization’s website?

Technical Services can't create email accounts for student organizations and sports clubs but students have the ability to create an email address themselves! If a student organization finds it necessary to have an e-mail account affiliated with its corresponding web site, they can create a group in SUMail (the student email system in the Office365 environment) and add organization members to it. Groups created in the Office365 environment will have an associated @groups.syr.edu email address (e.g. if you create a group in SUMail called sailingclub, it will have an email address of sailingclub@groups.syr.edu). Emails sent to that address will be directed to all members of the SUMail group. To create a group, organizations can follow these steps:

1. Have an officer in the student organization log into their SUMail account

2. At the very bottom of the student's mail folders, should be a link that reads "New Group". Click that link.

3. In the "New Group" dialog box, enter a name and description for the new group. Keep the Privacy setting set to "Private" so only organization or club members can see emails sent to the group.

4. Click the "Create" button to create the group. The creator of the group can then add other organization members, set owners of the group, invite others to join the group, specify whether someone outside the group can email it and control whether members receive all email communications to the group email. For further details on these options, refer to the Microsoft article on Office 365 Groups.