added a public landing page instead of redirecting the the login page immediately

go/go/templates/public_landing.html

+{% extends 'base.html' %}
+
+
+{% block title %}
+Go - Welcome
+{% endblock %}
+
+
+{% block content %}
+
+<div class="page-header" id="banner">
+  <div class="row">
+    <div class="col-md-12">
+
+      <h1><strong>Go</strong></h1>
+      <p class="lead">University-branded URL shortening.</p>
+
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<div class="row">
+  <div class="col-md-12">
+
+    <h3>What is Go?</h3>
+    <p>
+    Mason Go is a product of the George Mason University
+    <a href="http://srct.gmu.edu">Student-Run Computing and Technology</a>
+    organization. Go provides University-branded URL shortening for administration,
+    ULife groups, and student organizations. Access is moderated by SRCT
+    administrators. Please log in in order to submit an access request.
+    </p>
+
+    <a href="{% url 'go_login' %}" class="btn btn-success">Log In</a>
+
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+{% endblock %}

go/go/views.py

@@ -75,7 +75,6 @@ Define user views here.
 """
 
 
-@login_required
 def index(request):
     """
     This view handles the homepage that the user is presented with when
@@ -85,6 +84,10 @@ def index(request):
     get the URL registration form.
     """
 
+    # If the user is not authenticated, show them a public landing page.
+    if not request.user.is_authenticated():
+        return render(request, 'public_landing.html')
+
     # If the user isn't registered, don't give them any leeway.
     if not is_approved(request.user):
         return render(request, 'not_registered.html')