dotCMS

DotCMS is a Content Management System (CMS) through which CANR departments and units can edit and maintain their websites.

Learning dotCMS

We recommend becoming familiar with the two most basic areas of the system first:

Advanced areas such as Templates and Widgets require additional system access. Please feel free to ask for those once you're comfortable. Profile Folders are also available for faculty with multi-page profiles.

If you've reviewed this documentation and still have questions, you can view the dotCMS training schedule and register for a session. Training sessions are offered on a recurring basis via Zoom. If you or a group of dotCMS users in your department/unit needs a different training date, then a Training Request Form can be completed.

dotCMS Training Schedule

To view training sessions available, please visit the training schedule page.

Logging into dotCMS

To access the website system, visit www.canr.msu.edu/admin and enter your MSU NetID and password. If you experience issues when attempting to log in, first ensure you are using the correct username and password. If the problem persists, contact ANR Information Technology for assistance at 517-355-3776 or send an email to anr.support@msu.edu. 

Demo Website

In addition to our training materials, there is a Demo Website featuring examples of each content type, widget, template, etc. It's not as useful as our training materials, but it can be helpful if you need to take a look at what a particular feature can do, or if you're trying to figure out if dotCMS has a particular capability.

Website Change Request Form

Need help with making an update to your website or don't have access to specific content in dotCMS to be able to edit it yourself? Submit a request for help to our web students using the Website Change Request Form.

What do I manage on our website? What do professional communicators manage?

Extension staff

Professional communicators
  • Updating text on a page
  • Updating or adding images on a page
  • Uploading files to link to on pages
  • Adding events 
  • Maintaining information on person pages
  • Current content on existing pages (review for accuracy, determine what needs to be updated, added or removed)
  • Strategic development
  • Rearranging navigation
  • Updating access/permissions
  • Adding new people when they are hired, and removing them when they leave Extension

When in doubt, email your Extension communicator. 

After reviewing the following Training Videos and Training Documentation content, if you have additional questions about using dotCMS, you can contact CANR's Web Platforms Trainer, Michelle Kryska at kryska@msu.edu. You may also speak with the trainer during office hours. For technical support, please contact ANR Technology Services at (517) 355-3776 or via email at anr.support@msu.edu. 

Training Videos

Below are several recorded training and walk-though videos that cover topics from basic dotCMS training, including how to create and edit pages and content, add an image or file to a page, create events, edit person profiles, and more.  

Training Documentation

Trainer Office Hours

Monday

9:00 - 10:00 a.m. 
Join the Zoom Meeting

Tuesday 

1:00 - 2:00 p.m
Join the Zoom Meeting

Wednesday

9:00 - 10:00 a.m. - Join the a.m. Zoom Meeting
OR
Virtual or in-person (on-campus) by appointment

Thursday 

1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Join the Zoom Meeting 

NOTE: Office hours are subject to change.