The Official University Presence on the Internet
Standards and Practices

 

The University of Montevallo recognizes the value and potential of publishing on the Internet, and so allows and encourages faculty, staff and students to publish information related to their colleges, departments and organizations. The quality of information published by the University plays an important role in maintaining and enhancing the reputation and image of the University.

These guidelines set high standards to ensure that information published electronically follows the same standards as printed materials. The actions of users of the campus network and World Wide Web shall be governed by UM Policies 01:01 (Use of Information Resources), 01.011 (Computer Resources Security) and 01:015 (World-Wide Web Pages), this document, and any supporting documents mentioned herein.

I. Use of the Network

The University of Montevallo's computing and network resources are to facilitate and support the mission of the University. Access is granted to the computing system and the network because it is a tool to meet the academic goals and the mission of the University. This access is a privilege, not a right.

University of Montevallo technology resources may not be used to create web pages for personal business or gain. Advertising, selling, and/or soliciting by businesses, agencies or individuals are prohibited. Exceptions, if any, must be approved in writing by the vice president for the appropriate division.

The computer system and network are shared by all members of the University community. Because it is a shared resource, individuals should use the system responsibly in pursuit of University-related functions and in doing so, should not infringe on the rights, integrity, or privacy of others or their data. The ability to use the network and the system in no way exempts anyone from the necessities of ethical behavior and responsible use in the University community.

Use of a shared system and network carries certain obligations. Users shall abide by the Code for Computer Resource Use which is fully transcribed in the "Guide to Student Computing" and the "Guide to Faculty and Staff Computing" (of which this document is a part). All users shall assume full responsibility - legal, financial, or otherwise - for their actions on the network.

Web pages that are accessed to an excessive degree can be a drain on computer resources. Except where significant to the University's mission, such activity may require that those pages be moved to a private Internet provider.

II. Design and Content of University Web Page

The purpose of the University of Montevallo web site is to provide access to information about the University, its mission, services, facility and students, and programs and events.  Web pages and online course information/instruction should be in accessible formats easily read by screen readers, text only versions, etc.

Official Pages

For the purpose of these guidelines, an official page is defined as a page or a group of pages that includes University documents and/or information and provides links to other pages. This list includes, but is not limited to the following pages:

• University Home Page
• Each college web site
  • College of Fine Arts
  • College of Education
  • College of Business
  • College of Arts and Science
• Each division web site
  • Division of Academic Affairs
  • Division of Student Affairs
  • Division of Business Affairs
  • Division of University Advancement
• Each University Department
  • Departments of each Division
  • Departments of each College
• Each student organization

The following elements will appear on all official web pages:

• A link back to the University home page
• and site map
• Browser page title (i.e. University of Montevallo – Page Title)
• Name of college/division/department
• Name and email address of contact person (i.e. webauthor@montevallo.edu, for example, admissions@montevallo.edu)
• Date of last update (optional)
• Copyright statement
• Equal opportunity statement

Before becoming public, official pages and their revisions must be approved by the Public Relations Director, the WebMaster and the appropriate persons as indicated on the following list:

• Each college web site – College Deans
• Each division web site – Vice President of each division
• Each college department – Department Chair, Dean of the College
• Each division department – Department Director, Division VP
• Each student organization – Director of Student Activities, VP for Student Affairs

Custom CGI programs and scripts are not allowed. If need for a CGI utility should arise, a written request, including the reason for its use, should be sent to webmaster@montevallo.edu.

Department, Division and College Pages

Each department, division and college will designate a faculty/staff member to be its author. The web author is responsible for maintaining the accuracy of the information and to assure that the published information is the most current information available. Department, Division and College pages area designed and maintained by the assigned web author.

The first time a site is constructed, all pages in the site must be reviewed by the Public Relations Director, the WebMaster and the appropriate persons as indicated on the preceding list. Any subsequent changes will require the following: text changes may be made by the assigned web author; any graphics, technical or design changes must be approved by the Public Relations Director and the WebMaster.

Departments, divisions and colleges are responsible for the content, preparation and maintenance of their own web sites. The information should be accurate, current, and useful. They must create their own protocols for testing web pages before they are published. Sign off procedure should also be created and followed.

At the beginning of each academic term, it is the responsibility of the assigned web author to update or remove obsolete information.

If hardware/software used to create web pages conforms to University hardware/software standards, help on creating web pages can be requested by sending email to webmaster@montevallo.edu

Student Organizations Pages

Each student organization will designate a web author, who is responsible for maintaining the accuracy of the information and to assure that the published information is the most current information available.

For the purpose of these guidelines, student organization pages are all pages of each student organization. They provide information such as history, announcements, members or calendar of events of Student Organizations.

The first time a site is constructed, all pages in the site must be reviewed by the Director of Student Life, and the WebMaster. Any subsequent changes will require the following: text changes may be made by the assigned web author; any graphics, technical or design changes must be approved by the WebMaster.  Organizations are required to use the University’s template.

Any University-approved student organization will be allowed to have its own web site. Protocols for testing and sign-off procedures are to be created by the Office of Student Life, with guidance from the WebMaster.

At the beginning of each academic term, it is the responsibility of the student organization assigned web author to update or remove obsolete information.

To inquire about setting up or updating your web page, please contact the Office of Student Life.
 

Unofficial Pages

For the purpose of these guidelines, an unofficial page is a page that provides information related to a faculty/staff profile, faculty offered class such as syllabi and class schedule or faculty class research interests.

It is the responsibility of each faculty/staff member to create and maintain his/her web pages.

Unofficial Web Pages are free to every faculty/staff member and are for mission-related use only.

Because policies may change over time, web authors must review these policies from time to time.

All published web pages will have by default this disclaimer: The content of these web pages is not generated by and does not represent the views of University of Montevallo or any of its departments or organizations.

Custom CGI programs and scripts are not allowed. If need for a CGI utility should arise, a written request, including the reason for its use, should be sent to webmaster@montevallo.edu.

If hardware/software used to create web pages conforms to University hardware/software standards, help on creating web pages can be requested by sending email to webmaster@montevallo.edu.

Regarding the use of the network, the creation and publication of Web pages should follow the guidelines presented in part I of this document.

Web Site Administration

The Web Site is administered by the web author, Public Relations Department, and the campus WebMaster.

Each authoring unit is responsible for content, accuracy, and conformity to the University’s visual standards. The Public Relations Director will provide oversight and guidance to assure that University, department and student organization pages conform to the same high standards as other forms of published information. The Director reserves the right to review other pages and will bring non-conforming content and/or visual characteristics to the attention of web-site administrators for their review.

The WebMaster is responsible for the reliability and general organization of the Web Site. The WebMaster will report unreliable HTML links and references to the attention of the assigned web page author and will monitor the web site in general for technical problems. The WebMaster reserves the right to review pages for technical and performance purposes and will bring suspect content to the attention of the web site administrators members for their review.

The Information and Instructional Technology Committee is responsible for the long term planning of the Web site, the recommendation of practices and the organization of its overall structure. The committee will review and make recommendations about proposed changes in web guidelines, procedure and structure with regard to the Web Site.

III. Publication Standards

The quality of information published by the University of Montevallo plays an important role in establishing and/or maintaining the image of the institution to its many constituents. Information published electronically must be accurate, visually appealing and well written. Electronically published information must follow the same high standards as other forms of published information. Members of the University community should refer to the University of Montevallo Visual Standards Manual (available in all departments) for guidelines regarding usage of University logos, logotypes and wordmarks. The University's home page will always include the University's equal-opportunity/affirmative-action statement.

IV. Academic Freedom

Academic institutions exist for the transmission of knowledge, the pursuit of truth, the development of students, and the general well-being of society. Free inquiry and free expression are indispensable to attainment of these goals. As members of the academic community, students and faculty should be encouraged to develop the capacity for critical judgment and to engage in a sustained and independent search for the truth.

With the academic freedom of the campus environment goes individual intellectual responsibility. Hallmarks of that responsibility are to obtain and use material in manners which respect others in the campus community, the goals of intellectual inquiry and state and federal law.

V. Commercial and Illegal Activities Prohibited

Any use of University computer equipment or its network for commercial or unlawful purposes is prohibited. Law enforcement and other official agencies have their own definition of certain types of unlawful use of the network. These may include pornography, some types of solicitation, threats and harassment, among others.

Users must observe U.S. and international copyright laws and acceptable practices related to those laws, e.g., all copyrighted material including software must have prior permission of the copyright holder. Penalties for copyright violations may be severe.

VI. Security

The Department of Computer Services at the University of Montevallo, as the custodian of the campus-wide computing network, is responsible for maintaining information access while preserving overall security of all University computers and data communications services. The Department of Computer Services may recommend standards of security for Internet pages that community members produce, publish, or use to ensure that privacy and integrity of electronic information is maintained by the University.

Users of the University network have a responsibility to assist in maintaining the security of the University’s system. They are expected to secure and protect their passwords, user IDs, personal accounts and workstations. Users are responsible for use of their assigned accounts and must use only those computer and/or network accounts for which they have been authorized. Individuals aware of any breach of information or network security, or compromise of computer or network security safeguards, must report such situations to their department chair or director, or to Computer Services.

Use of the University Internet site constitutes consent to monitor to ensure proper operation, to verify the functioning of applicable security features, and for other like purposes. Unauthorized attempts to alter published University pages, to defeat or circumvent security features, or to utilize this system for other than its intended purposes are prohibited and may result in disciplinary action and/or prosecution.

VII. Sanctions/Appeals

All students, faculty and staff of the University of Montevallo community will have access to this document. Actual or alleged violations will be handled through normal channels: student judicial process for students; official processes and regular grievance procedures for faculty and staff. Details concerning these items may be found in the Fledgling, the Faculty Handbook and the Staff Handbook.

Concerns about violations of these policies should be brought to the attention of the alleged violator’s supervisor who will contact the computer user involved. Failure to resolve the situation through this contact will result in the filing of formal charges via the appropriate process outlined in the "Guide to Student Computing" or "Guide to Faculty and Staff Computing."

VIII. Oversight and Revisions

Changes in communication technology are expected to continue at a rapid pace as advances are made in virtually every aspect of electronic communication. The University web site administration will monitor this document on an annual basis to assure that it remains current. Revisions will be made as required to reflect relevant changes in electronic publishing. The current revision of this document will appear in annual publications of the Guide to Student Computing or Guide to Faculty and Staff Computing.