The University of North Carolina at Charlotte recognizes the value and potential of the Web as a tool to support the University’s primary missions of instruction, research, and public service. Therefore, faculty, staff, students, and academic and administrative units are encouraged to take full advantage of the technology available to sustain those missions.

The UNC Charlotte homepage is intended to welcome visitors and serve as an institutional directory for prospective and current students, employees, and alumni. It is intended to provide information that addresses University constituents and their needs and interests. University units that wish to provide information for the Web are encouraged to do so.

Responsible Use

All University web pages must comply with Policy Statement #66, “Responsible Use of University Computing and Electronic Communication Resources” and other related University policies.

Web Page Format

All University web pages should contain the following information:

1. Appropriate identification of the University by use of an approved logo or trademark;

2. Name of the unit publishing the page;

3. Name and/or e-mail address of page manager;

4. Date page was last updated;

5. Link to the University homepage.

Procedures for developing web pages are available from Information & Technology Services (ITS). Software and templates may be downloaded from the University’s software server.

Accessibility

In developing new web pages, every effort should be made to make them accessible to disabled users. Assistance in designing accessible web pages is available from ITS.

Links to Non-University Web Sites

Links to non-university web sites should be related to the subject matter of the referring page. Placement of advertising or links to commercial websites on University websites is generally prohibited. However, the Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs has the authority to approve advertising or links to commercial websites if:

1.  A University website that is core to the missions of the University requires maintenance or resources that exceed University capabilities or internal allocations;

2.    A commercial link is used in an Internet bibliography;

3. A commercial link constitutes an acknowledgement of funding sources, proprietary technologies, or website developer, but only if used in a manner that does not detract from the educational or administrative purpose of the University website; such acknowledgements shall not constitute and should not imply an endorsement by the University;

4.   A commercial link is deemed appropriate by the Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs, in consultation with the Chancellor.

Any page linking to a non-University website shall include an appropriate disclaimer providing that the University does not endorse or take any responsibility for the content of the external site.

As a general rule, links to non-University Web sites should open a new, smaller browser window whenever possible.

Use of University Name and Registered Marks

The University logo on University web pages is appropriate for the use of any University academic or administrative unit. It may not be modified in any way. The logo may not be used on an individual’s homepage. Use of the University Athletics logos is reserved for use only by the Department of Athletics or with the express written permission of that department.

Hosting Web Sites for External Entities

Web sites for entities such as professional associations, consortiums, or journals that are not University units, University affiliates, or registered student organizations may be hosted on University servers only when the entity has a relationship with the University that supports the University's missions of instruction, research, and public service and only upon approval of the Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs. Such a relationship may be demonstrated by one or more of the following circumstances:

1. The entity is an organization of which the University itself is a member.

2.   The entity is an organization of which a faculty or staff member is a member, and the relevant department chair, director, or vice chancellor approves the hosting as being in support of the University’s instruction, research, and public service missions.

3. The University has, or enters into, a contractual relationship with the entity for hosting its website.

University Data

Units referring to information maintained by another unit should coordinate access and use with the data custodian in compliance with Policy Statement #102, “Data and Information Access and Security.”

Dynamic information (course enrollment, tuition, directory information, etc.) should be retrieved from the appropriate University operational database.

When time-sensitive data is published, the effective term or expiration date of such data should be stated.

Individual Web Pages

Authors are solely responsible for the content of individual web pages. However, if the content or appearance violate Policy Statement #66, “Responsible Use of University Computing and Electronic Communication Resources,” the Code of Student Responsibility, or any other University policy, the University reserves the right to remove the homepage from the server, discontinue the individual account, and take such other action as may be necessary in its discretion.

Policy Management

The Chancellor shall appoint a person or persons to administer, interpret, and enforce this Policy and the standards set forth herein.

(Initially approved by the Board of Trustees September 27, 2002)