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EnglishWho is UChicago Voices for and what can it be used for?
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UChicago Voices is for University of Chicago students, faculty, and staff who need a self-service website or blog. It is a free platform provided by IT Services, built on WordPress, and hosted by Edublogs. You can use it for class blogs, ePortfolios, research groups, clubs, and similar purposes. Access is tied to your CNet ID and password, so you need valid University credentials to use it.
Who can use it
The platform is open to three groups at the University:
- Students — for portfolios, personal sites, or group projects
- Faculty — for course blogs, research sites, or academic portfolios
- Staff — for club sites, departmental projects, or other academic uses
Because sign-in is managed through CNet ID, eligibility follows your existing University account. If you have a CNet ID, you are in the intended audience.
What you can use it for
The site lists several supported uses. The two most common are:
Class blogs
Instructors teaching a course can request a class blog. These come with full support from Academic Technology Solutions staff, who will:
- Help set up the site
- Enroll your students
- Provide technical support
- Offer in-class training
To start, fill out the Class Blog Request form linked from the Voices site.
ePortfolios and other academic uses
If you need a site for an ePortfolio or another academic purpose, the guidance is to contact Academic Technology Solutions directly rather than using the class blog form.
Research groups and clubs
The platform description also names research groups and clubs as suitable uses. These fall under the general "request a website" path rather than the class blog process.
What the platform gives you
Before requesting a site, it helps to know what you get. The listed features are:
| Feature | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Collaborate | Write alone or publish with multiple authors |
| UChicago Theme | Customize the official template |
| Mobile Ready | Build from computer, tablet, or phone |
| Voices in the Cloud | Back-ups and security are handled for you |
| Insight | Dashboard tracks statistics and visitors |
| Secure | Identity managed by CNet ID and password |
| Diversity of Content | Upload and embed video, photos, files, podcasts, and more |
| Plugins | Dozens of pre-installed plugins extend functionality |
How to get started
The path depends on your use case:
- Teaching a course and want a class blog — complete the Class Blog Request form. Expect staff support with setup, student enrollment, and training.
- Need an ePortfolio or other academic site — contact Academic Technology Solutions to discuss your needs.
- Starting a research group or club site — use the general "Request a Website" option on the Voices site.
Is it the right fit?
UChicago Voices fits if you want a WordPress-based site without managing hosting, security, or backups yourself, and if your work is academic or University-affiliated. It is less suited if you need a platform outside the University's identity system or full control over the hosting environment. For course-related work, the added staff support for class blogs is a clear reason to use this platform over a generic WordPress install.