Arkansas Tech University
World Wide Web Site Policies

Web Policy Committee Members:

Ms. Shauna Donnell
Mr. Adam Fowler
Dr. David Hoelzeman
Ms. Jayne Jones
Ms. Lori LeBahn
Ms. Susie Nicholson
Ms. Carol Trusty
Dr. David G. Underwood, Chair
Mr. Ken Wester

Arkansas Tech University
World Wide Web Site Policies
 

Contents:

Introduction

1. Recognition of Copyright and Right to Privacy

1.1 General Policy Statement
1.2 Guidelines

Introduction

Arkansas Tech University makes this Web server and other computing resources available to support and promote the mission of the University. It is expected that individuals placing information on a server in the Tech network, will abide by all applicable University policies and all laws governing the use of electronic communications media. For more detailed information please refer to the Tech Appropriate Use of Computer Resources Policy.

This guide is provided to assist offices, departments, and individuals within Arkansas Tech University in the construction of Web pages and the development of a consistent Web presence providing easy navigation and reflecting well on the University. Publication on the Web requires the same dedication to accuracy and good presentation as would be expected in a printed document. Whatever is published on the Web will reflect on Tech and on its faculty, staff, and students.

Policies addressing additional specific issues related to the University's Web site are posted at http://webdev.atu.edu/policies.htm. These additional policies may include instructions and use for server side includes, official graphics information, server usage, maintenance and reporting issues, web storage, location, technical information and Web specifications. Technical policies will change over time due to the dynamic environment of the Web and the technology required to keep the Web viable. Individuals or groups responsible for developing official Tech Web pages should familiarize themselves with those additional policies and review them regularly to insure compliance.

Any pages that are found not to be in compliance with this, or other extant Tech Web policy, may be disabled at the discretion of the Web Policy Committee after consultation with the Webmaster. Pages that have been disabled due to non-compliance may be reinstated once the identified problem(s) have been corrected and the corrections have been verified to the satisfaction of the Web Policy Committee and the Webmaster.

1. Recognition of Copyright and Right to Privacy.

Purpose of Policies

To ensure that published materials follow applicable laws and regulations, and respect the intellectual property and privacy rights of others.
 

1.1 General Policy Statement

Copyrighted photographs, text or graphics created by another person may not be placed on a page without documented permission of the photographer, artist or author. Developers should be aware of all legal issues, especially copyright, which might apply to their Web pages. In the absence of legislation or test cases in connection with the Internet, Arkansas Tech University will observe the same copyright rules for its server as it does for printed materials. Any pages that allow for the dissemination over the Internet of encryption algorithms or their products must abide by federal laws governing the use of this code. Revealing information about individuals, groups, or organizations without their permission, unless the information is already public, constitutes an invasion of privacy, and is prohibited. The use of Social Security Numbers (or equivalent) for purposes of identification is specifically prohibited.

1.2 Guidelines

You may not place any materials owned by others, i.e. copyrighted works, on your Web page without the expressed permission of the copyright owner. (Examples: cartoons, articles, photographs, songs, software, or graphics scanned in from published works or other Web pages).

Assume materials you find on the Web are copyrighted unless a disclaimer or waiver is expressly stated. You may include quotations of a few words provided you identify the author and the work from which the quotation is taken.

If you wish to include something from another Web page in one of your Web pages, then link to it rather than copy it. However, it is your responsibility to verify the link remains active and appropriate.

You may not place any pictures or videos of people on a Web page without the expressed permission of the people in the picture or video. The permission to use the picture or video should be signed and a copy maintained on file. Exceptions to this requirement are discussed in Section 2.2. Every person has a right to privacy that includes the right to restrict the use of his/her own image. In addition, the picture or video may be protected by copyright.

The University network should not be used for the storage of non-Web related information. Additionally, as Web sites are changed and updated, the previous version of the pages or site should be archived offline and the older version removed from the network.

2. Official Site Pages

Purpose of Policies

To ensure that the Arkansas Tech University World Wide Web site presents accurate information, easy navigation and a consistent image.

2.1 General Policy Statement

2.1.1 Responsibility for the Arkansas Tech University Web

Arkansas Tech University's World Wide Web site is considered an official University publication and external marketing system, as well as a campus-wide information resource. Only approved University information will be communicated through Tech's home page and all other official pages that are linked to it.

To the greatest extent possible, all official Tech Web pages will be housed on a server maintained and operated by Computer Services in order to ensure the quality and consistency of the University's Web presence. Computer Services must be consulted and approval must be obtained from the Web Policy Committee and the Webmaster if it is technologically necessary to house the site on a server other than one maintained and operated by Computer Services. In those cases where an alternate server is used, the department or organization publishing the Web pages will not be released from any of the requirements included in this or other pertinent Tech Web Policies. Additionally, the department or organization hosting the site on an alternative server (i.e., one not owned and operated by Computer Services) will be responsible for the maintenance and operation of that server so that the resources of Computer Services staff will not be impacted.

If it is determined that a separate departmental/organizational server or software is incompatible with the official Tech Web or Tech server, whether it is the result of an upgrade in technology or software on the Tech Web or Tech servers, the departmental/organizational link will be disabled until it is brought into compliance and the compliance has been verified.

The Web Policy Committee and the Webmaster will regularly review all official Tech Web pages in an effort to assure quality and consistency. In order to be included as an official Tech Web page, there must be an approved Web publisher responsible for the page. The Web Policy Committee and Webmaster will check pages for accuracy of content and adherence to policy guidelines.

2.1.2 Content of Official Site Pages

The Web Policy Committee and Webmaster will provide or designate official versions of such documents as the fact sheet, history of the University, and standard graphics on the Web server. Departments should link directly to the relevant portion of these documents when official descriptions are appropriate (e.g., for course offerings and admission, major, and degree requirements) and should not replicate these documents in their own Web pages. Statistical information not on the fact sheet should be confirmed through the Office of Institutional Research before it is included on a page. Alterations of the University logo will not be allowed without prior approval by the Web Policy Committee.

Each official homepage must include standard identification and links:

. the approved Tech header - see Instructions for Server Side Includes
. a link to the University home page. For extremely long pages, we recommend that this link be at both the top and bottom of the page
. sitemap
. directory
. search
. for documents meant to be viewed in sequence, access to "previous" and "next" entries provided at the bottom of the page, or top and bottom if the document is lengthy.
. the Arkansas Tech University copyright statement:

Copyright © Arkansas Tech University
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Russellville, Arkansas 72801 USA
For general information, telephone: (479) 968-0389
All trademarks herein belong to their respective owners.
 

All official pages should have text labels for any graphical or iconic links in order to provide equivalent access to the information and reference links for non-graphical browsers. In general, providers should be aware that users access information from a variety of hardware and software tools. Web publishers are encouraged to accommodate all levels of technology.

2.2 General Guidelines for Official Pages

Each page on, or linked to, the official Tech Web site must have a designated Web publisher. This person is responsible for the information on the page, for ensuring the information is of the highest editorial standards (spelling, grammar, and accuracy), and for making accurate and timely updates. Web publishers will be notified of any problems in content or design that are discovered and, if the problem is not corrected, the Webmaster may remove the page or link from the site.

Web developers/publishers should consider carefully their audiences and the general technological capabilities of those audiences; use only the most widely used html standards and try to make pages accessible to non-graphical browsers. Developers should avoid internal acronyms and abbreviations; full departmental, building, and other names should be used; and telephone numbers should include area codes. Outdated, incomplete, or inaccurate information is of little use and departments should routinely review all text included on their pages.

Official information should be designed to be modular with "NAME" anchors so it will be possible for others to point to the information rather than duplicating portions.

The Web Policy Committee and Webmaster will establish a style sheet and graphics for the home page, first and second-level pages. The Web Policy Committee and Webmaster will develop an archive of scanned graphics and photographs. The images in these archives, including photographs, may be used without the necessity of acquiring additional permissions.

As new technology extends the design limitations of electronic publications, the Web Policy Committee and Webmaster will periodically update or redesign graphics and make the revisions available to all faculty and staff who are in charge of maintaining official pages. Developers/publishers should link to the images rather than copy them.

2.2.1 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance

When designing Web pages, ADA suggested guidelines should be followed whenever possible. These guidelines include:

. Provide equivalent alternatives to auditory and visual content
. Don't rely on color alone
. Provide clear navigation mechanisms
. Ensure that documents are clear and simple

For additional guidelines, consult the W3C Accessibility Guidelines.

3. Departmental and Organizational Web Sites

Purpose of Policies

To ensure that departmental and organizational Web pages present accurate information and follow principles of good practice.

3.1 General Policy Statement

3.1.1 Responsibility for Departmental and Organizational Sites

Individual academic and administrative departments and Tech-affiliated organizations (henceforth referred to as simply "departments"), including student organizations, may develop their own Web sites by requesting directory space on the Tech server from a sponsoring department. The sponsoring department will be responsible for creating and maintaining the information, for following principles of good practice, including recognition of copyright and right to privacy as described in Section 1 of this document and for assuring compliance with all applicable Tech and/or departmental Web policies.

Departments should develop a thorough plan of implementation and maintenance for their Web sites. Outdated, incomplete, or inaccurate information is of little use and departments should review all text included on their pages.

3.1.2 Content

Departments should link directly to the official documents, such as the fact sheet and Catalog, for standard University information and should not replicate these documents in their own Web pages. Any statistical information about the University that is not on the fact sheet should be confirmed through the Office of Institutional Research before it is included on a page. The University logo may be incorporated into a departmental graphic, but may not otherwise be altered.

Each homepage must include standard identification and links:

. An organizational or departmental email address and a designated person to receive the mail or comments
. revision information - the date of last modification
. The official Arkansas Tech University copyright statement

3.1.3 Professional Home Pages of Faculty and Staff

Departments and offices may provide a directory/listing of personnel with links to individual professional home pages. Professional home pages are defined as a page or set of pages that represent the faculty/staff member within their respective discipline or professional role. Professional home pages must be configured in a positive and professional manner as defined by Tech and/or departmental policy. Only information related to an individual's administrative or academic responsibilities at Tech should be included on professional pages.

Faculty/Staff professional home pages may contain:

. Contact information
. Departmental information
. Course related materials or information
. Educational background information
. Links to professional articles published
. Personal Web site address and e-mail links
. Other information necessary to clarify or emphasize Tech related information as approved by the faculty/staff member's department.

Faculty/staff professional home pages may not contain:

. Commercial links unrelated to the instructional objectives of the course related materials and information
. Offensive material
. Illegal material
. Any material which is not in compliance with this, or other Tech Web policies

Departments and offices are encouraged to provide templates for professional pages. Individuals may not create personal home pages for housing on the Tech server or any official University server linked directly to it. However, an individual's personal home page, residing on a non-Tech server, may be linked through the professional home page if it is clearly identified as the individual's personal home page link.

Faculty/staff professional home pages will be regulated and maintained at the department level.

3.2 Style Recommendations

Departmental Web sites are encouraged to:

. use templates designed by the Webmaster to begin construction of their site.
. construct short and simple home pages which serve as tables of contents or indices to the other pages.
. use meaningful linking text (i.e., avoid the use of "click here" and other descriptions which are unclear or dependent on particular Web browsers).
. provide a suitable number of navigational aids, including links to peer pages within a department where not overly burdensome.
. employ active links to mentioned points in other pages.
. construct "hot button" short cuts at the top of the departmental home page to frequently accessed files and locations.
. define obvious click activated areas on image maps.
. utilize the "preformat" option for such documents as syllabi and those with tabular data so that the widest variety of browsers can effectively present the material.
. provide warnings (indicating, where appropriate, the size and type of file) for large links, movies, audio and other such files.
. indicate restricted access where appropriate.
 

4. Personal Home Pages

Purpose of Policies

To ensure that personal Web pages follow principles of good practice.

4.1 General Policy Statement

Arkansas Tech University does not allow individual Web pages to be placed on Tech servers, except as a link existing on a professional Web page as described in Section 3.1.3 above. Not allowing personal Web pages to reside on Tech servers is not to be construed as an attempt by Tech to restrict the free speech rights of individuals when using the Web.

Individual student, faculty, staff and alumnae/i pages may be linked to the official site only through a departmental, office, or organizational directory as described above in Section 3.1.1.

University computers are not to be used for commercial purposes.
Tech's policy on the use of computing resources (including the Web) is that they be used for instruction, research, or administrative support. Other uses may be deemed inappropriate and may lead to suspension of a user's Web privileges. Users who wish to pursue such uses are encouraged to investigate alternative Web providers. For more detailed information please refer to the Tech Appropriate Use of Computer Resources Policy.

Official University data should not be directly included on personal home pages, but provided through links to the official site.

All authors should list their E-mail address on their page, preferably as a <a href ="mailto: department@atu.edu"> link, so that browsers can respond directly to the author with comments or questions

5. Student Web Pages

Purpose of Policies

To ensure that the Tech Web has appropriate control over Web content and that principles of good practice are followed.

5.1 General Policy Statement

Student Web pages, or student portfolios, will not be stored on official Tech Web servers except when sponsored by an Tech department as described in Section 3.1.1 above. Students desiring to publish their credentials on-line for purposes of job searches should contact Norman Career Services at (479) 968-0278.

Faculty members who wish to incorporate Web design into their coursework should create a structure under their own Web site to store the student sites ("course sites"). Material published on course sites is governed by the same terms as a covered in this, and other existing Tech or departmental Web policy documents. Course sites will not be stored for more than 60 days after the conclusion of the course. The instructor is solely responsible for the content, creation, and deletion of these course sites.