The Core Report | March 2025 |
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The Core Report |
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The Core Report provides Rochester WordPress administrators with news and resources every month. You’re receiving this because you have administrative access to a University WordPress site, or serve on the University’s Web Governance Council. |
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Letter from the editor |
Threaded together |
The University is in a season of change—with the strategic plan, new marketing campaigns, new operating structures, and shifts in how we show up in the world. As that work unfolds, our digital projects need to move with it, supporting not just individual goals but the bigger picture. Whether it’s a component redesign or a restructured site, every project plays a role in shaping how we tell our story, serve our audiences, and stay aligned in the midst of motion. |
Wherever you are in your work—launching something new, cleaning up a page, or just figuring out what comes next—know that there are tools to guide you. The resources and documentation we've shared below are to help you move forward with confidence, at your own pace. You don’t have to figure it all out from scratch—and you might be surprised by how far a few small steps can take you. |
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Phil Sennett
Director, Web Solutions + UX University Marketing and Communications | University of Rochester |
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Rochester Core theme updates |
Rochester Core is the University’s WordPress theme. Explore features that have been released and what's coming next. |
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Now available |
Card component |
The updated card component is here! With flexible CTA options, customizable layouts, built-in icon support, and improved styling, it’s easier than ever to build clean, engaging content blocks. |
| Check out the new card component » |
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in development |
Tab component |
We’re introducing a new tab component to help organize content in a compact, user-friendly way. This feature will make it easier to personalize experiences by tailoring information to audiences—while keeping pages scannable. |
| Explore the prototype » |
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Coming soon |
Header and navigation updates |
We’re redesigning the primary navigation to make space for more menu items and improve how search and utility links appear—so the whole experience feels clearer, more intuitive, and easier to use on all devices. |
| Preview the new experience » |
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have an idea? |
Request a feature for Rochester Core |
Rochester Core is always evolving, and your feedback helps shape its future. If you have a feature idea or an improvement request, let us know—we’re always looking for ways to make the platform better. |
| Submit a request » |
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Rochester Core in action |
Rochester Core runs on over 100 University WordPress sites—serving a wide variety of audience needs and business goals. |
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Campaign for the United Way |
The Campaign for the United Way site brings the University community together to support a great cause. Built with Rochester Core, it’s a clear, focused space for sharing impact, encouraging participation, and making it easy to give. |
| Visit the site » |
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Industry insights |
This month’s industry insights are all about Analytics—using data to understand performance and drive improvements. |
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💡 Quick tip: Set a monthly check-in to review your site’s performance |
A regular look at your analytics can reveal trends, flag issues, and highlight what’s working. Just 30 minutes a month can spark ideas and help you make more informed content and design decisions. |
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Building better with Rochester resources |
Access tools and guidance to create work that reflects the excellence and identity of the University of Rochester. |
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training guide |
Directory component |
Looking to showcase your team? The Directory component helps you create a clean, organized listing of staff or faculty with photos, contact info, and more. The guide includes setup instructions, tips, and live examples. |
| Explore the guide » |
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training session |
Introduction to PDF accessibility |
📌 Virtual Session 🗓️ Monday, April 28, 2 p.m. |
Learn how to create accessible PDFs and ensure documents are usable by everyone—no matter their tools or abilities. |
| Sign up to attend » |
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University resource |
Hear from your audience with Gravity Forms |
Gravity Forms is a WordPress tool for creating custom forms, collecting submissions, and managing responses—all without touching code. If your site's on Core, you have it already! |
| Review the documentation » |
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university news |
‘Make the World Ever Better’ image campaign |
The University’s first enterprise-wide marketing campaign is here. Check out the digital playbook and toolkit to explore the strategy, access shareable content, and help bring the campaign to life across your digital channels. |
| Access the campaign toolkit » |
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Have a great month, Rochester |
You’ll receive the next edition of The Core Report in April. |
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The Core Report is produced monthly by University Marketing and Communications. You’re receiving this because you have administrative access to a University of Rochester WordPress site, or serve on the University’s Web Governance Council. |
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