The Department of Student Activities is making a change to its web hosting policies that may impact your organization if your website is hosted on our server.

In the last few months, there have been problems with student organization developed websites that have resulted in security vulnerabilities.  After careful consideration and advisory from CIS Network Security, it has been determined that student organizations wanting to host their websites through the Department of Student Activities will be required to use the Drupal content management system.

Currently, 400 of the 600 websites we host utilize Drupal.  If your organization has a custom developed website, you will need to migrate your site to the Drupal system by November 1, 2009.

By requiring that organizations utilize Drupal, the department can provide a more stable resource for all student organizations.  If you currently have a page that is not using Drupal, please follow the steps below to request the creation of your Drupal site:

• Log in to StuAct Online at this address: http://studentactivities.tamu.edu/
• Click the name of your organization to view its profile.
• Click the "Web & E-mail" tab at the top of the page.
• On the first page that appears, you will see basic information about the Drupal system. The bottom of the page has a button labeled "Request a Drupal Site". Click this button.
• Your request will be received and processed as soon as possible. All of your old site files will be backed up and moved to a separate folder called "old". Drupal will be installed in the main area of your web space, and you will be able to start using it immediately. You will also receive an e-mail with a "Getting Started with Drupal" guide, detailing how to use your new site to its fullest potential.

For more information about the Drupal system, watch the 10-minute guided walkthrough of the system available at this page:
http://studentactivities.tamu.edu/online/help/tutorials?view=drupal

If your organization determines that Drupal does not meet your group's needs, we encourage you to utilize one of the many off-campus hosting solutions available (including Google Sites, iWeb, and Wordpress blogs) to host your web site. You are free to list any web address in your organization’s public profile, but you will only be able to use your ".tamu.edu" address if your site is hosted through Drupal.

Additionally, Secure FTP (SFTP) access has been disabled.  Your current site will remain visible to visitors, but you will need to request your Drupal site before you can make any changes to your web space.

If you have any questions about this transition and how it will affect your student organization, contact the Department of Student Activities at student-activities@tamu.edu.