Approver(s):

Office of the President

Authorizes Release:

Chief of Staff for the President

Responsible Area:

University Communications

Review Cycle:

Annually or as required

Last Review:

August 2020

Related Policies and Additional References:

There are several digital spaces for St. Mary’s University members to post and receive necessary information. To ensure these spaces fulfill their intended purposes and meet expectations for where information can be found, all content should be placed in the appropriate channel.

Websites

St. Mary’s University and Law Websites (www.stmarytx.edu and law.stmarytx.edu)

Primary purpose: marketing tool to promote enrollment

As a method for student recruitment, the St. Mary’s website should focus on an external audience. Only information that is of use to prospective students or people outside our internal community belongs on these websites.

Some examples of content that should go on the St. Mary’s website:

  • Academic program descriptions
  • Admission and financial aid information
  • Details on conferences and lectures that are open to the public
  • Commencement information
  • Faculty bios

Some examples of content that should not go on the St. Mary’s website:

  • Degree plans (should go in Catalog)
  • Internal forms (should go in Gateway)
  • University policy (should go in Policy Library)

If you have content that is appropriate for the website, fill out the Web Content Update Request Form.

St. Mary’s Catalog (catalog.stmarytx.edu)

Primary purpose: document academic offerings for all programs

The St. Mary’s Catalog must be the legally binding and definitive source of degree program information and academic policies. These catalog pages will inform the St. Mary’s website program pages, which inform the program one-sheets created annually. 

Some examples of content that should go on the St. Mary’s catalog:

  • Required courses
  • Prerequisites
  • Degree plans
  • Course descriptions

If you have content that is appropriate for the catalog or if you need to update content housed on the catalog site, contact the Registrar’s Office.

Other St. Mary’s Websites

St. Mary’s Law Alumni Website (law.alumni.stmarytx.edu)

  • Designed to provide law alumni with a place to gather information, stay involved with the community and donate. If you have changes to be made, contact Law Advancement.

St. Mary’s Alumni Website (alumni.stmarytx.edu)

  • Designed to provide University alumni with a place to gather information, stay involved with the community and donate. If you have changes that need to be made, contact University Advancement.

St. Mary’s Policy Library Website (www.stmarytx.edu/policies)

  • Single repository for official university policies, such as policies, forms, handbooks and guidelines. It is maintained by University Communications. If you have changes that need to be made, contact University Communications who will direct you to the correct editor.

St. Mary’s Athletics (rattlerathletics.com)

  • The St. Mary’s Athletics website is the hub for all information related to collegiate sports. This includes game schedules, tickets and facilities. The site is maintained by the Athletics department.

Blume Library site (lib.stmarytx.edu)

  • The Louis J. Blume Library website is where students and faculty can access the digital collection, receive help with research and book a study room. The site is maintained by Blume Library.

Law Library website (lawlib.stmarytx.edu)
  • The Sarita Kenedy East Law Library website is where students and faculty can access the digital collection and receive help with research. The site is maintained by the Law Library.

Digital Commons (commons.stmarytx.edu)

  • Digital Commons is an online repository showcasing scholarly research, journal publications, creative works and expertise. These virtual university archives and special collections highlight the academic products created by St. Mary’s students, faculty and staff. The law site is maintained by sfowler@stmarytx.edu and the University site is maintained by jcrane3@stmarytx.edu.

Other Digital Tools

Gateway (gateway.stmarytx.edu)

Primary purpose: informational and transactional tool for students, faculty and staff

Gateway is meant to provide necessary information to the St. Mary’s internal community. Gateway should be the place where students, faculty and staff can reliably find the information needed to take advantage of all that the University has to offer. It is also the portal for all transactions.

Some examples of content that should go on Gateway:

  • Thorough details on student services, such as Health and Counseling
  • Course registration
  • Intramural sport and campus recreation information
  • Resident hall work order form

Some examples of content that should not go on Gateway:

  • Information meant for prospective students or parents (should go on St. Mary’s website).

If you have content that is appropriate for Gateway, make an IT ticket.

Canvas (stmarytx.instructure.com)

Primary purpose: portal for professors and students to exchange information

Canvas is the primary method of communication for professors to speak to their students and vice versa. It is maintained by Academic Technology Services. If you have questions regarding Canvas, contact Academic Technology Services.

Back to top