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EnglishWhat Features Does UChicago Voices Provide?
Updated
UChicago Voices is a free, self-service web platform for students, faculty, and staff to build blogs and websites for portfolios, courses, research groups, clubs, and similar uses. It is provided by IT Services, powered by WordPress, and hosted by Edublogs. The features below describe what the platform itself offers; access requires a CNet ID and password, and class blogs for courses are set up through a separate request form with support from Academic Technology Solutions staff.
Core Publishing and Collaboration Features
Multi-author collaboration
You can write alone or publish with multiple authors on the same site. This matters for group research projects, club sites, and course blogs where several people contribute.
The UChicago Theme
An official template is available and can be customized to suit your needs. If you want a site that looks consistent with university branding without building a design from scratch, this is the starting point.
Mobile-ready creation
Sites can be created and edited from a computer, tablet, or phone. This is useful for quick updates between classes or while traveling, though heavier editing tasks are typically easier on a larger screen.
Hosting, Security, and Insight
Cloud hosting with backups
The platform handles backups and security for you, so you do not need to manage server maintenance yourself. This is one of the main reasons to choose Voices over a self-hosted WordPress install.
Secure identity via CNet ID
Your identity is managed through your CNet ID and password. You do not create a separate account, and access follows your existing university credentials.
Dashboard statistics
Your dashboard tracks site statistics, including who is visiting and related metrics. This helps instructors gauge student engagement on a class blog or helps project owners see traffic patterns.
Content and Extensibility
Diverse media support
You can upload and embed videos, photos, files, podcasts, and other content types. For ePortfolios, this means you can present written work alongside recorded presentations or media projects.
Installed plugins
Dozens of plugins are already installed, extending what your site can do. Because the plugin set is managed for you, you avoid the compatibility and update problems that come with maintaining plugins on your own.
Matching Features to Your Use Case
| If you need to… | Relevant features |
|---|---|
| Run a course blog with students enrolled | Class Blog Request form; multi-author publishing; ATS staff support and in-class training |
| Build an ePortfolio or other academic site | Contact Academic Technology Solutions; UChicago Theme; media embedding |
| Publish with a research group or club | Multi-author collaboration; installed plugins; dashboard statistics |
| Update content from anywhere | Mobile-ready creation; cloud hosting with backups |
| Keep access tied to your university identity | CNet ID and password login |
What the Features Do Not Cover
The available information does not specify storage limits, the exact list of installed plugins, or whether sites can be exported. If your project depends on a particular plugin or a large media library, confirm those details with Academic Technology Solutions before committing. For course blogs specifically, the Class Blog Request form is the correct entry point, and the support team handles setup, student enrollment, and training rather than leaving you to configure it alone.