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School of Medicine IT

About the SOM Web System

The School of Medicine (SOM) Web System is a centrally managed WordPress platform designed to support departmental, program, center, and lab websites across the School of Medicine. It provides a shared technical foundation, consistent design, and built-in accessibility and security features to ensure SOM websites are reliable, and compliant with University standards.

Features

  • Free website and hosting.
  • Easy-to-use editing interface — no HTML knowledge required.
  • SOM-branded theme for consistency.
  • Responsive and accessible theme that functions on all devices.
  • Free training & documentation for site editors.
  • Dedicated support team for technical assistance.
  • Data backups for site security.
  • Routine code updates for performance and security.
  • Analytics for site optimization.

Eligibility

Before requesting a site, review eligibility requirements to ensure your site qualifies as an official School of Medicine website.

Access Requirements

All site editors must have a UNC Onyen to access SOM websites. Health Care employees without an Onyen can obtain an affiliate Onyen.

A Centrally Managed Platform

All SOM websites are built within a shared WordPress environment maintained by the SOM IT Web Team. This centralized approach allows us to:

  • Maintain consistent branding and navigation across sites
  • Apply accessibility standards that are built into the theme
  • Ensure security updates and performance improvements are applied system-wide
  • Reduce technical burden on individual departments

Individual sites do not operate independently. While each site controls its own content, the underlying system, theme, and available tools are managed centrally.

Built for Accessibility, Consistency, and SEO

The SOM Web System is designed so that accessible and well-structured content is the default, not an add-on.

  • Pages, headings, navigation, and layouts are pre-styled for accessibility and consistency
  • Editors should not customize fonts, colors, spacing, or layouts beyond documented options
  • More accessible content improves usability and search engine visibility

Following system guidelines ensures your site works well for all users, including those using assistive technologies and mobile devices.

Standardized Tools and Features

To ensure long-term maintainability, the SOM Web System provides a curated set of approved tools, including:

  • A shared theme with a responsive layout
  • A limited set of vetted plugins
  • Structured content tools (Cells, directories, forms, tables, etc.)

Roles, Ownership, and Responsibilities

While the SOM IT Web Team manages the underlying web platform, each site is responsible for its own content.

Each site has a designated Primary Site Administrator who serves as the main point of contact for the website. This role oversees site setup, user access, training requirements, and overall adherence to SOM standards.

Content creation and ongoing maintenance are typically shared among multiple site editors. These editors are responsible for keeping information current, accessible, and aligned with the site’s purpose.

Content Guidelines and Security Responsibilities

The SOM web system is intended for publishing public, informational content. It is not a secure platform for storing private data, internal documents, or sensitive information.

To learn more, review:

  • Unsuitable Content – Content types that should never be placed on SOM websites
  • Data Security – How to protect sensitive information and avoid security risks

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