Hot off the Press! This month's edition of The Core Report. The Core Report provides Rochester WordPress administrators with helpful news, updates, and resources every month. You're receiving this email because you have WordPress administrator access to a University of Rochester website.

The Core Report | February 2026

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The Core Report

The Core Report provides URochester 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.

Letter from the editor

The work you don’t see

Some of the most important work we do is the kind you don’t immediately see.

As the University aligns distributed web properties, the structure supporting them carries increasing weight. February centered on advancing one of the frameworks that will unify major administrative portfolios within a coherent, scalable environment.

This was a month of architecture — shared patterns, deliberate navigation models, durable systems. Decisions that reduce fragmentation before it forms. Investments that make future growth steadier and more efficient. Rochester Core remains the foundation. This month strengthened the system that supports it.

A smiling man named Phil Sennett wearing a white shirt, exuding a friendly and approachable demeanor.

Phil Sennett
Director, Web Solutions + UX 

University Marketing and Communications | University of Rochester

Students walking on a snowy sidewalk at the University of Rochester's river campus during winter weather.


in this edition

↳ Rochester Core theme updates

↳ Rochester Core in action

↳ Training and resources

↳ University news

Rochester Core theme updates

Rochester Core is the University’s WordPress theme. Explore features that have been released and what's coming next. 

Three layered blue and gray stack on white background.

Introducing Rochester Mantle

Rochester Mantle is a new layer built on top of Rochester Core that supports new structured and dynamic content types. We’re partnering with Administration and Finance to build it over the coming weeks, after completion, it will be available for University-wide use. 


Two blue gear icons.

Performance optimizations

Behind the scenes, we’re streamlining plugins and reducing system calls to improve speed and reliability. Your site loads faster and runs more efficiently as a result.


Blue quote icon.

Testimonial component 

Highlight real voices from students, faculty, and partners with flexible quote styling. Review best practices to structure quotes clearly.

Explore instructions and demo »


Blue shield icon.

Review your site admins

Site administrators can log in to WordPress, go to Users → All Users, and review who currently has access. Confirm permissions reflect current roles and remove accounts that are no longer needed.


Rochester Core in action

Rochester Core runs on 100+ University WordPress sites, serving a wide variety of audience needs and business goals.
Screenshot of the University of Rochester capital campaign website, showcasing its design and layout.


For Ever Better Campaign

The For Ever Better website serves as the digital home for the University’s comprehensive capital campaign. Built with Rochester Core, the site blends compelling storytelling with clear structure, guiding alumni, donors, and community members through campaign priorities, impact areas, and opportunities to engage and give.

Visit the site »

Building better with URochester resources

Access tools and guidance to create work that reflects the excellence and identity of the University of Rochester.

Solid blue circle on a black background.

Resource

Making PDFs accessible

Many PDFs across the University were created before current accessibility standards and may create barriers for users. Now is the time to reduce outdated documents, replace content with accessible web pages when possible, and remediate PDFs that must remain online.
Read the article »
Blue checklist icon on white background

training session

Digital accessibility quick wins

đź“Ś  Virtual sessions

🗓️ Several sessions over the next few weeks

A focused 30-minute sessions that tackle one high-impact accessibility topic at a time, with common mistakes and simple fixes across web pages, documents, and PDFs.

Sign up to attend »
Blue color swatch icon.

resource

Access brand color standards

Have you explored the University’s updated brand color palette? Take a moment to review the approved colors, refresh your stylesheets, and ensure your digital content reflects current standards. Access ready-to-use values and guidance to keep your work aligned and consistent across web experiences.

Open brand color standards »

University News

University updates

These recent announcements may require updates on some University sites. Review any pages that reference these roles and update them if needed.

  • Dean of the University of Rochester Libraries
    Timothy McGeary has been named University Librarian and the Andrew H. and Janet Dayton Neilly Dean of the University of Rochester Libraries. He will begin his role on March 1, 2026.

  • Update tuition information
    If you publish tuition or financial aid information, review your content to ensure it reflects the approved 2026–27 academic year updates.

  • Highlight named professorships
    If you publish faculty updates, consider sharing the recent named professorship appointments and linking to the official announcement.
Need help? Contact our team »

Have a great month, URochester

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.