WEBSITE CREATION POLICY
Revised February 2014
WEBSITE CREATION POLICY Life University web sites that are not hosted on the original “LIFE.edu” domain (also known as “microsites”) should exist to promote and provide information to the visitor about University programs, services, events, resources, facilities and personnel. All sites must support the University’s mission, vision and goals. Use of the Life University logo indicates that the site is an official University publication. Please submit the online Marketing Project Request form prior to using a University logo on a website. Individuals who develop and publish University web sites must ensure that their sites comply with the guidelines and standards referenced in this document, in University handbooks, and in federal Section 508 accessibility guidelines (www.section508.gov). Electronic information published to the web is subject to the same copyright and trademark laws as printed material. Individuals publishing and developing sites are therefore responsible to ensure that all information, graphics, images and sound files are used with permission and cited (preferably with links) when appropriate. Aesthetically, sites and pages should follow Life University standards established by the LIFE’s Marketing Department’s Style Guide. The Marketing Department will grant exceptions to Style Guide adherence for web pages on occasion.
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Content All content for all university web sites must, at minimum, support the University’s mission. However, departments may have additional guidelines and restrictions, in line with those of the University’s, for their web sites. All published content must be accurate and current. For this reason, rather than reproducing and republishing general University information or course descriptions, pages should link back to the appropriate page(s) on the University’s web site. Site developers should use engaging content such as images, photos, and video. Note, this type of content usually has large file sizes that may frustrate visitors who have slow connections or those on mobile devices. The use of such content, therefore, should be guided in part by the intended audience, the location of the intended audience, and its technical capabilities. Content should not include any advertising. However, Life University event sites may identify and link to sponsors of those events.
Content Violations Content that violates local or federal law, or infringes University policy may be subject to immediate removal. Listed below are some types of inappropriate content: • Libelous statements • Use and/or distribution of pirated (illegally obtained) software, sound or video files • Use and/or distribution of destructive software • Illegal use of copyrighted material • Use of pornographic or lascivious material • Pages that redirect or link to sites with any of the previously listed materials
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Look and Feel The look and feel of a site refers to its aesthetics, functionality and navigation. While we do not expect or want all sites to mirror each other in these aspects, all University sites should, at minimum, be noticeably associated with Life University. Functionally, this serves to enhance the visitors’ experience so they are not repeatedly looking for the navigation, search, or other features in new places on each University-associated site. A general unified look helps in promoting a unified marketing message across all University sites. Therefore, all website developers should work with the Marketing Department to determine to what extent a site could, and should, deviate from the University’s brand. At the very minimum, this would entail including the University logo and a link back to LIFE.edu. Note, even at this minimum level of unified look, the site’s inclusion of the University logo will be taken by the public , and specifically provided for by this policy, as a sign of University endorsement. All parties must therefore work to ensure the accuracy of all content. Maintenance and Management Details of content maintenance will be worked out with the Marketing Department during the project planning. The general options are listed below in step 9. Please consider the importance of content maintenance and management while planning your project submission since outdated or inaccurate information reflects poorly on the site’s owner, Life University. Getting Started To begin the process, please submit a Project Request Form at http://LIFE.edu/marketing
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Web Creation Policy Agreement Please sign and return to the Marketing Department. Fax: 678.331.4392; Email: lifemarketingdept@gmail.com
_______________________________________________________________________ Site name
_______________________________________________________________________ Your name
____________________________________________________ Signature
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_________________ Date
Life University Department of Marketing 1269 Barclay Circle SE Marietta, Georgia 30060 USA 770-426-2833
WEBSITE CREATION POLICY Revised February 2014