Cascade CMS: Web Editor

Cascade is an online content management system (CMS) that enables approved users to design and maintain their Valdosta State University departmental webpages. It is also the CMS that Web Services uses to maintain the overall university website, including the home page, colleges' splash pages, the campus directory, and more.

Cascade uses a WYSIWYG (what-you-see-is-what-you-get) editor; so you don't need to know HTML coding to use it. It's accessible from any computer with an internet access and no special software is required.

Learn More about Cascade

NEW USERS: To gain editing rights to your departmental site, you must first attend a Cascade Basic Training. Typically, at least one session is offered each month. Experienced Cascade users are welcome to attend trainings as refresher courses any time.

Once you have successfully completed training, Web Services will create your account based on the information you provide:

  • Name and Username
  • Department, Division, or College site
  • Publisher or Author Rights - What's the difference?
    An Author and a Publisher can create and edit content. However, those who have Author rights cannot directly publish content without generating a Workflow. A Publisher must first review and approve the content generated by the Author before it can be published (go live). A Publisher can also bypass the 'Start Workflow' prompt and approve his/her own work.

LOG IN TO CASCADE

Cascade CMS is available from any computer with internet access.

  1. Open your preferred web browser (reference Supported Browsers)
  2. Navigate to https://link.valdosta.edu
  3. Enter your VSU Username only and Password, click Login

cascade-login
Tip: A link to Cascade CMS is also listed on the MyVSU login screen below the Sign In button.

Supported Web Browsers:
Chrome 50+
Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer 11
Mozilla Firefox 45+
Safari 8+

How-to Guides

Read the Cascade 8 How-to Guide
Watch Recorded Hannon Hill Webinar |1hr 49m


In-House End-User Training

In collaboration with Employee & Organizational Development, we offer training sessions to help you effectively use the technologies available at VSU. Classes are free to VSU employees, including student employees and graduate assistants.

Register for workshops at: www.valdosta.edu/training

15 participants max; 3 participants minimum to conduct training; otherwise canceled one day prior.
Dates, times, and location subject to change.
Additional training may be offered throughout the semester.
Sessions can be in-person or via Teams, particularly if no room is available or conditions warrant.


CASCADE PART 1

Location: Odum 2633

The Cascade Basic class is required for those who are assigned to edit their departmental web site. This training can also serve as a 'refresher' for those who already have access. Training topics include:

Login, Dashboard, Sites, Asset Tree
Create, Edit, Publish, Live, Unpublish, Delete
Assets: Pages, Images, Files, Folders
My Content: Recent, Drafts, Locks, Workflows

  • April 12th, 9 am - 11:30 am
  • April 25th, 2:30 pm - 5 pm (Odum 3270)

 

CASCADE PART 2 (Optional)

Location: Odum 2633

This optional training picks up where Cascade Basic left off and introduces web editing features such as: embedded video, _info page, modules, forms, and more. The training is intended for those who already have rights to edit their college or departmental website. Prerequisite: Cascade Basic.

  • April 13th, 9 am - 11 am
  • April 26th, 3 pm - 5 pm

 

MODERN INTERFACE:  a new look with larger fonts, a new color scheme, and a different layout

Cascade 8 Dashboard

ADD CONTENT MENU:  the New menu has been replaced by the Add Content menu. To add new assets to your site, click the pink circle with a plus sign.

Add Content Menu

ICON COLORS:  icons for pages, blocks, files and links are now grayish black instead of blue and green; folder icons are still yellow.

Several icons in the CMS

ASSET NAME: the System Name field is now called Page Name (or File Name or Link Name). The name in this field also appears in the URL address.

Page Name field outlined in red

UPDATED EDITOR: the WYSIWYG editor has a new look with formatting options located in different places.

Full WYSIWYG toolbar

PREVIEW FEATURE: This feature shows a live preview of each edit you make; it refreshes automatically each time you make a change in the edit screen.
  • To resize the preview: Drag the divider between the preview and the edit screen.
  • To hide the preview: Click Hide Edit Preview.
  • To hide the edit screen: Click Preview Draft to view a full-page version of the preview.

HannonHill Instruction Video (No audio):

previewfeature.png

IMAGE ALIGNMENT: align an image inline with your text by selecting align-right from the Class dropdown instead of using the Advanced tab within the Insert/Edit Image editor.
Class align-right outlined in red; Advanced tab crossed out in red

 

CHECK CONTENT & SUBMIT: use the new Check Content & Submit button to check for broken links and spelling before submitting an asset.

Arrow pointing to three dots; red outline around Check Content & Submit button


SUCCESS MESSAGES: notifications that an action was completed successfully now appear at the bottom of the screen instead of at the top.

 

TRASH: formerly named the Recycle Bin, Trash is now located in the Site Content Menu and contains deleted assets. Assets can still be restored for 30 days from the Trash.

Trash can in site content menu

Visual Identity Guide- A distinctive visual identity program is critical for Valdosta State University to maintain a clear, consistent image before its various constituencies. This guide is designed to assist everyone in proper use of the institution’s identity marks.

NEED HELP? Contact Web Services at webservices@valdosta.edu or submit a ticket at solutions.valdosta.edu

Division of Information Technology
  • 1500 N. Patterson St. Valdosta, Georgia 31698
  • Mailing Address
    1500 N. Patterson St.
    Valdosta, GA 31698
  • Solutions Center
  • Phone: 229.245.4357
  • Fax
  • Fax: 229.245.4349
  • VSU Solutions Center

    Eastern Standard Times

    Mon-Thurs: 8 am - 7 pm

    Friday: 8 am - 5 pm

    Saturday: 9 am - 2 pm

    Sunday: 9 am - 3 pm