dotCMS

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

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. 

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 request training.

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 ANR Technology Services for technical support at (517) 355-3776 or via email at anr.support@msu.edu. To request a training, please email webadmin@anr.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

Professional Development

  • follow us on youtube
  • follow us on linkedin
Michigan State University
  • Spartans Will.
  • © Michigan State University

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential.

Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707.

We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).