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Cornell AAP Site Documentation

Cornell AAP Site Documentation

Quick Start

Event Pages

Step 1: Access the Events Section

Locate the left sidebar menu and select Events. Then click the Add New Event button at the top.

Step 2: Enter Event Title

Type your event page title. This will automatically create a unique URL for your page.

Step 3: Complete Required Tabs

You need to fill out three tabs: Time & Location, Event Description, and Contact & Links.

Time & Location

  • Select the Start Date using the calendar widget.
  • Select the Start Time (optional for exhibitions).
  • If your event spans multiple days, add an End Date.
  • Choose a prefilled location from the dropdown or use the Location Override field for custom addresses. Include building name, room number, and optionally a Google Maps link.

Event Description

  • Click the Event Description tab.
  • Add an Abstract and format text with bold, italics, hyperlinks, or lists.
  • Add speaker Biography details:
    • Click Add Row for each speaker.
    • Include name, title, headshot image, and biography.
  • Use Other Description for additional info or custom headings.

Contact & Links

  • Select a prefilled Contact Listing or enter custom contact info (name, phone, email).
  • Add sidebar details like reception info or related links.

Step 4: Add Metadata

  • Add Tags (speaker names, comma-separated).
  • Select Department, Campus, Focus, and Event Type.
  • If applicable, choose Levels of Study for admissions events.

Step 5: Upload Featured Image

  • Upload your featured image, which will act as your banner and thumbnail.
    • Featured image aspect ratio is 3:2 (3000×2000, 2160×1440, 1920×1280, or 1080×720)
  • Add Alt Text for accessibility.

Step 6: Save and Preview

When ready, click Save. Click Preview to review your event page.

Optional:

Add Recording

After the event, use the Recording tab to upload a video if available.

External Link

If an external link is provided, the post will redirect to the external source.

Student Work Pages

Step 1: Access the Student Work Section

Locate the left sidebar menu and select Student Work. Then click the Add New Student Work button.

Step 2: Enter Title

Type the title for your student work page. This will automatically create a unique URL for the page.

Step 3: Complete Required Tabs

You need to fill out three tabs: Student Profiles, Course Information, and Project Details.

Student Profiles

Click Add Student on the right-hand side.

Required fields:

  • Name
  • Degree
  • Graduation Year (do not use parentheses)

Optional fields:

  • Hometown
  • Headshot
  • Website (preferably personal or portfolio)

For group projects, click Add Student again to add additional students.

Course Information

Enter the official Course Title (ensure it matches the course catalog).

Add instructors:

  • Click Add Instructor.
  • If the instructor has a profile, type their name and select from the dropdown.
  • If not, enter their name manually.
  • Repeat for multiple instructors if needed.

Project Details

  • Add a Featured Asset (hero image or looping video).
  • Enter the Project Description:
    • You can format text with bold, italics, and hyperlinks.
  • Add an Image Gallery:
    • Include as many images as needed.
    • If images are low quality, use the legacy gallery view to downsize them.
  • (Optional) Add a Video Embed:
    • Click Add Video Embed and paste a Vimeo or YouTube URL.
    • Position the video above or below the gallery if needed.

Step 4: Add Metadata

Select:

  • Relevant Department
  • Campus location of the project
  • Degree type (Graduate or Undergraduate)
  • Specific Degree program associated with the student work

Step 5: Set Featured Image

Choose a Featured Image which will act as your thumbnail image.

Featured Image aspect ratio is 3:2 (3000×2000, 2160×1440, 1920×1280, or 1080×720)

Step 6: Save and Preview

When ready, click Save. Click Preview to review your student work page.

Newsletter

Step 1: Access the Newsletter Section

  • Go to the left sidebar menu and select Newsletters.
  • Use the search bar to find the standard newsletter template by typing “standard.”

Step 2: Clone the Template

  • Always clone the standard template when creating a new newsletter.
  • If you have a customized version you prefer, you can clone that instead.

Step 3: Edit the Draft

  • After cloning, click Edit to enter the back end.
  • Update the title immediately.
  • Click Save.

Step 4: Update the Header

  • Add the unit name and the send date.

Step 5: Edit the Content Blocks

  • Newsletter Single Image + Text Block: Add image, captions, title, formatted text, and hyperlink.
  • Newsletter Text Block: Use for titles and headings (start with H3, H4, etc.).
  • Newsletter Content Grid:
    • Pull news/events from the website.
    • Or override defaults for custom promo content (include image, subhead, and mandatory URL).
  • Newsletter Content List:
    • Displays items stacked vertically.
    • Reorder items by dragging.
  • Newsletter Message:
    • Add custom messaging (letters from the chair, notices, or event promos).
    • Can choose between text on the top or right of the image.
  • Additional Text Blocks:
    • Organize information with headings and paragraph text.
  • Single Image at End:
    • Suggested for “Photo of the Day” or other similarly related photo.

Step 6: Manage Blocks

  • The template is exhaustive—you cannot add more blocks than what is provided in the standard template.
  • You can unlock and delete blocks, but deletion is permanent, and restoration of blocks will require admin assistance.

Step 7: Add Metadata

  • Include Department, Office, or unit information.

Step 8: Prepare for Sending

  • If using Lyris, check the Send with Lyris box.
  • Publish your newsletter to switch it from Draft mode.

Revisions and Workflow

Step 1: Locate the Page to Edit

  • Go to the relevant section (Pages, People, Events, Student Work).
  • Find the page you want to update (e.g., Reunion 2025).
  • Click Edit.

Step 2: Make a Revision

  • When prompted, click Make Revision.
  • Note: The title may slightly change while the revision is in progress.

Step 3: Apply Your Changes

  • Edit the content as needed (e.g., fix typos, update descriptions).
  • Click Save when finished.

Step 4: Submit to Workflow

  • Click Submit to Workflow.
  • In the dialog box:
    • Set priority level (Low, Normal, High, Urgent).
    • Assign the revision to a specific admin.
    • Add detailed comments describing the change.

Step 5: Admin Review Process

  • If your submission meets requirements:
    • It will be published, and you’ll receive an email confirmation.
  • If issues exist:
    • You’ll receive an email and a task in Workflow for review.

Step 6: Address Feedback

  • Go to Workflows in the left sidebar.
  • Locate the revision task.
  • Review admin comments (e.g., “extra O in reunion, please address”).
  • Click Edit to fix the issue.
  • Check the entire page for style and errors.
  • Save your changes.

Step 7: Request Approval

  • Click Approval Request.
  • Select Complete for the action.
  • Set priority (Low, Normal, High, Urgent).
  • Send back to the original admin or add others if needed.
  • Add a comment (e.g., “Fix applied, ready to go”).
  • Submit your approval request.

Step 8: Final Publication

  • Once approved, the page will be published.
  • You’ll receive an email confirmation that changes are live.

Note: This Workflow also applies to newly created content.

Page Building and Editing

Step 1: Access the Pages Section

Locate the left sidebar menu and select Pages. Then click the Add Page button at the top.

Step 2: Enter Page Title

Type your page title first. This will automatically create a unique URL for your page. Then click Save Draft to create a draft page ready for content.

Step 3: Build Your Page Content

Pages use the Gutenberg Editor, which is block-based. You can add and arrange blocks to structure your content.

Adding Blocks

Use the blue plus sign on the left for the full block menu or the black plus sign on the right for a quick view. You can also type a forward slash (/) in a new line to access block shortcuts.

Common blocks include:

  • Headings (H2 by default; adjust to H3 for subheadings)
  • Paragraphs
  • Tables (set rows and columns, add header sections)
  • Lists (bulleted or numbered)
  • Side Note (can be aligned left or right)
  • Call-to-action links or buttons

Formatting Text

You can bold, italicize, and add hyperlinks within paragraph blocks. Use the block toolbar for additional options.

Previewing Your Page

Click the laptop icon to preview in desktop, tablet, or mobile view. Open in a new tab for easier comparison.

Step 4: Add Jump Links (Optional)

To create jump links, add anchors to headings in the block settings under Advanced. Each jump link needs at least two anchors to work properly.

Step 5: Add Topper and Featured Asset

Choose a topper style:

  • Text-only
  • Small Asset (4:3 image or looping video)
  • Large Asset (16:9 image or looping video)

Upload your image or video and hide captions if desired for a cleaner look.

Step 6: Add Metadata

Select:

  • Featured image (often the same as your topper image)
  • Excerpt (used for search or teasers)
  • Relevant Department or Unit

Step 7: Save and Submit for Review

Click Save Draft when ready. Use the workflow sidebar to submit your page for review:

  • Set priority (Low, Normal, High, Urgent)
  • Assign to a reviewer
  • Add a note (e.g., “New page ready for review and publishing”)

Once submitted, an admin will review and publish your page.

People Pages

Step 1: Access the People Section

  • Locate the left sidebar menu and select People. Then click the Add New Person button at the top.

Step 2: Add Person’s Name

  • Type the first and last name. This will automatically create a unique URL for your page.

Step 3: Add Metadata and Sidebar Information

  • Add Tags (first and last name)
  • Select primary Department, do not select Offices, and select primary Campus.
  • Select Person Types (for faculty, select Faculty and select a subtype. For postdocs and research associates, select Other Academics. If you’re unsure, ask Communications to help clarify.)
  • Select Research Areas as requested. If a research area is not found, enter it manually in later section.
  • Add Featured Image (headshot with alt text “Headshot of First Last”)
  • Add External Link if the faculty member’s primary appointment is not at Cornell AAP. If this is true, use this option to link faculty member’s profile in their home department.
  • Add Centers if the faculty member is specifically hired to a center.

Step 4: Complete Profile Overview Tab

  • Scroll to the top of the page and locate the Person section and Profile Overview tab.
  • Add First Name and Last Name.
  • Leave Display Name blank.
  • Optionally, upload a PDF of their CV.
  • Add the faculty member’s Title, such as Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, Lecturer, etc. If the faculty member is the director of a lab, add a second title and format it as “Director, Lab Name.”
  • Add Contact Information including their full office address, office phone, and NetID email.
  • Add optional Connect Links, which are social media profile URLs. For Link Text, add the title of the website, such as LinkedIn.
  • Add a brief Biography.
  • Add optional Affiliations, such as administrative roles, fellowships, or memberships outside Cornell AAP. For example, a faculty fellow in sustainability at the Atkinson Center. You can link the faculty member’s profile at the Atkinson Center, or link the Atkinson Center itself.
  • Add Research Areas if the faculty member listed research areas that were not captured above. List them in sentence case, such as “Sustainable agricultural practices.” If adding more than one research area, add in alphabetical order.

Step 5: Complete Content Blocks Tab

  • Scroll to the top of the page and locate the Person section and Content Blocks tab.
  • Add images to the Asset section. (This section can be skipped and Featured Research can be used instead, which appears later on.) For the Type dropdown, if the faculty member provided one image, use Asset. If the faculty member provided 3 or more images, use Carousel. For this example, let’s use Carousel.
    • Within the Carousel, choose Ribbon to display images in a straight line and choose Stack to arrange images in an overlapping stack.
    • Upload images in the Contents section. Location the Asset Type dropdown and select Image and upload an image. Add a caption in the Text box. [Example: Last, First, Last, First, and First Last. Title of Work (year), Location. image / credit name]
    • Repeat for all images. 

Step 6: Complete Optional Tabs

  • Add an optional Quote if requested by the faculty member. Add in sentence case and do not include quotation marks. Leave Citation blank.
  • Add Featured Research if the faculty member did not want to use the Asset or Carousel options.
    • Add a brief Title of the research area and a brief Description with details about the research area, such as an abstract or overview. Add an optional Link to a publication and an optional Image.
  • Add Books in reverse chronological order, meaning the newest book appears first.
    • Add Book Title as it appears on the book. The Byline is the citation; Use Chicago Manual of Style, specifically a tool like Cite Fast. Copy and paste the citation, removing the title, as you already pasted it in Book Title. [Example: Last, First, and First Last. Year. Publisher.] Add an optional Book Cover image and an optional Link to the book.
  • Add Selected Publications in reverse chronological order, meaning the newest publication appears first.
    • Add the publication Title as it appears in the journal. The Details are for the citation; Use the Chicago Manual of Style, specifically a tool like Cite Fast. Copy and paste the citation, removing the title, as you already pasted it in Title. [Example: Last, First, and First Last. Year. Journal Name 1 (100): 100–12.] Add an optional Link to the publication.
  • Add Classes by adding the exact course title in Class Title, and the exact Class Number as the example suggests. Links for classes are optional.
  • Add Selected Awards, Grants, and Fellowships. 
    • The Name is the brief award title in title case. The Description includes the details of the award, institution, location, and a separate line for the year. [Example: First Place in Sustainability, Institute Name, Location {next line} Year] Add an optional Link to the award.
  • Add Selected Exhibitions and Presentations.
    • The Name is the title of the exhibition or presentation in title case. The Description includes details of contributors, exhibition/presentation, location, and year. [Example: Last, First, and First Last. Exhibition Name, Location, Year.]. Add an optional Link to the exhibition or presentation website.
  • Leave News and Events as-is.
  • Add Related Links if the faculty member has a lab website, personal website, or other external website.

Step 7: Save and Submit for Review

Click Save Draft when ready. Use the workflow sidebar to submit your page for review:

  • Set priority (Low, Normal, High, Urgent)
  • Assign to a reviewer
  • Add a note (e.g., “New page ready for review and publishing”)

Once submitted, an admin will review and publish your page.