Template Program

The EdTech Center has developed a website template program to help Northeastern groups enhance their Web presence while adhering to Northeastern University graphics standards.

Each website built through the template program is based on an interface that has been previously designed, but can be easily customized to meet specific needs. Several website templates are available for you to choose from. All designs adhere to W3C standards and accessibility guidelines.

Once you have chosen a design, your website will be moved through a streamlined development process using existing features and code.

All websites are built using WordPress as the content management system (CMS). This system will allow you to easily maintain the content on your website through an easy to use online interface.

Eligibility

Northeastern departments, centers, and academic groups are eligible to participate in the EdTech Center’s template program.

Please note: Due to the large number of requests, there is a waiting list for the template program. Before your project can be put in the queue, you must read and sign the Template Program Agreement. In order for your project to remain active, you must adhere to the terms of this agreement. Otherwise your project will be moved to the waiting list until which time resources allow your project to be reactivated.

If a template is not appropriate for your project, the EdTech Center may be able to collaborate with your group on a custom project if it is in support of teaching and/or research. You may also create a WordPress website on your own by requesting a WordPress installation on one of the NUWeb servers.

Costs

The basic template program is provided to Northeastern departments and academic groups at no charge*. The following functionality can be included in your template project with minimal customization at no extra cost.

• Rotating banner images
• Events calendar
• Google forms that collect data into a spreadsheet
• Flickr photoviewer
• Google Analytics for gathering website statistics

* You are responsible for purchasing any stock photography used in your template website. Functionality beyond that of the basic template program may be added for a fee.

Timeline

The time required to complete your project varies depending on the following factors:

• How many projects the EdTech Center is involved in at the time your project is initiated.
• How long it takes the content experts (you) to draft and finalize a content outline.
• How long it takes the content experts (you) to develop the actual content.
• What, if any, additional functionality is needed to meet the project goals.

Once the content has been developed and delivered to us, an average template website with no custom functionality usually takes us about 2-4 weeks to build and populate with content. Expect sites with customized functionality to take longer.

Roles and Responsibilities

As a Templates Program Partner your group will be required to:

• Read and sign the Template Program Agreement and bring it with you to your first meeting with us.
• Carefully consider and thoroughly answer the EdTech Center's Getting Started Questions prior to meeting with us to discusss your project goals.
• Work with EdTech Center staff to establish timelines and milestones as well as a content delivery plan.
• Provide a completed content outline before the website development process can begin.
• Develop and provide content to the EdTech Center team as specified in the content delivery plan.
• Cover any costs associated with developing your project. For example, images are often needed for the interface design. If stock photography is used, your group will be required to pay for it. More information about the use of images in your project.
• Take responsibility for maintaining the website, post-launch.

The EdTech Center will:

• Work with you to determine audience and objectives.
• Help you refine your ideas and content.
• Work with you to establish timelines and milestones as well as a content delivery plan.
• Help you choose a template that will meet the needs of your end-users.
• Build the website using the selected template.
• Develop any additional functionality, as needed.
• Populate the website with content.
• Train at least one person in your unit to use the CMS.
• Assist you in obtaining web space and a custom URL on the Northeastern web server (nuweb9) **
• Take all steps necessary to launch the website according to the established timeline.

** Please note: Websites developed by the EdTech Center are hosted exclusively on the nuweb9 server which has been configured to support WordPress.

For more information regarding the EdTech Center’s template program, please contact Rachel Bertolani at r.bertolani@neu.edu.