UNIVERSITY of NORTH DAKOTA
UNIVERSITY & PUBLIC RELATIONS POLICY LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY WEBSITE
Policy: University Website
not an
approved
policy
Responsible Executive: VP for University & Public Affairs
Responsible Office:
Issued:
Latest Review / Revision: February 25, 2013
POLICY STATEMENT [The Policy Statement states the requirements or provisions which this policy is placing on/extending to
the University community, and why, but does not describe “how-to” procedures.]
The University of North Dakota (UND) is liable for its Web content, therefor websites must adhere to University
identity guidelines. Websites must be constructed using the approved content management system (CMS) unless
given an exemption by the vice president for University & Public Affairs. Entities not adhering to these
requirements will not be hosted on University servers.
REASON FOR POLICY [The Reason for Policy recognizes the legitimate interests of all parties, describes the problem or
conflict the policy will resolve, and cites any legal or regulatory reasons for the policy.]
UND resources, including its website, must be used in accordance with state laws and North Dakota University
System (NDUS) Procedure 1901.2; and must be sustained in a manner that maintains identity guidelines, quality
control, manages risk, optimizes usability, and provides consistency. This policy further defines the terms and
conditions for all websites hosted on UND servers.
SCOPE OF POLICY [The Scope of the Policy explains who is affected by the policy, who should observe it and follow its
procedures, and who must understand it in order to do their job or utilize services.]
This policy applies to:








President
Vice Presidents
Deans, Directors & Department Heads
Area Managers & Supervisors
Faculty
Staff
Students


Others: All Web servers connected to, and
Web pages hosted on, the UND.edu domain.
Others: All Web servers belonging to UND,
regardless of their domain, and all Web pages
hosted on them, regardless of content.
Others: All Web pages that represent UND or
its affiliates in any capacity, regardless of their
domain or where they are hosted.
Note: This policy is applicable only to websites that are available to the general public or generally to members of
the UND community. Password protected websites intended for private use or documents shared by defined groups
of users are not covered, provided that they may not be viewed by others.
Page 1 of 7
UND Finance & Operations Policy Library
Section 2, Finance
Cell Phones and Other Mobile Devices 2.18
WEB SITE REFERENCES [Insert links below]
This policy:
Division of University & Public Affairs:
CONTENTS [This is the last section to update. If desired, it can be made linkable to take readers to particular sections of the document.]
Policy Statement
1
Reason for Policy
1
Scope of Policy
1
Web Site References
2
Related Information
3
Contacts
3
Definitions
3
Principles
4
Procedures
5
TBD
5
Responsibilities
6
Forms
6
Appendices
7
Revision Record
7
Page 2 of 7
UND Finance & Operations Policy Library
Section 2, Finance
Cell Phones and Other Mobile Devices 2.18
RELATED INFORMATION [This section should only include information that is directly related to the policy. The Related
Information should be listed alphabetically or chronologically and provide links for the reader.

Other related University or SBHE policies

Related University or NDUS procedures

Documents required to complete the procedures

Documents that provide helpful, relevant information

State laws or ND Century Code. Relevant programs or training courses]
NDUS Procedure 1901.2
Subsection 3.1.2 – Intellectual
Property
ndus.edu/makers/procedures/NDUS/default.asp?PID=301&SID=62#3.1
SBHE Policy 1901.2 –
Computing Facilities
ndus.edu/makers/procedures/sbhe/default.asp?PID=126&SID=11
UND Identity Guidelines
UND.edu/identity/
UND Intellectual Property
Policy
UND.edu/research/intellectual-property/polices-and-procedures.cfm
WC3
w3.org
CONTACTS [The Contact section of the policy tells the reader who to contact with specific questions regarding the policy. The first item
is usually “Policy Clarification” which directs the reader to the Responsible Office. Other items relate to subject matter in the document about
which the reader may have follow-up questions.]
General questions about this policy can be answered by your department’s administrative office. Specific
questions should be directed to the following:
Subject
Contact
Telephone
Department/Office E-Mail /
Web Address
Policy Clarification,
Appeals and Exemptions
Division of
University & Public
Affairs
701.777.2731
UND.universityrelations@UND.edu
Copyrighted or Licensed
Material
General Counsel
701.777.6398
UND.edu/general-counsel
Confidential Information
and Content Ownership
Intellectual Property
Commercialization
& Economic
Development
701.777.6772
UND.edu/research/intellectualproperty
Identity Guidelines
UND Design Group
701.777.2731
identity@UND.edu
UND.edu/identity
DEFINITIONS [List unique terms that, by being defined, would add to the reader’s understanding of the basic policy. Define
unfamiliar terms, technical terms, and terms which special meanings. List all terms in alphabetical order.]
Academic Unit
A college, school, department or unit whose mission is predominantly teaching
and/or research.
Administrative Unit
A unit that provides the leadership and/or services that keep the University
operating and on mission.
Affiliate
An entity who has an officially recognized relationship with the University,
including organizations and student clubs.
Class Website
Website hosted for the purpose of managing a class through activities such as
posting a syllabus and assignments.
Page 3 of 7
UND Finance & Operations Policy Library
Section 2, Finance
Cell Phones and Other Mobile Devices 2.18
Content Developer
A university representative with authorized access to the CMS and has the
ability to edit Web content.
CMS
Content Management System. Software application used to store, edit and
publish Web pages via a series of managed templates. UND uses OmniUpdate
(OU) Campus as its CMS.
Content Owner
The academic or administrative unit head with primary responsibility for the
Web content. The content owner may or may not have direct access to the
CMS.
Domain
Denotes an entity on the Internet. UND’s primary domain name is UND.edu,
although UND owned servers have various domain names.
External Entity Website
Website developed, maintained or hosted by entities other than UND but has
an officially recognized relationship with the University that supports the
University’s mission. The website is used by the University to conduct official
business or represent the official voice of the University. Such a relationship
may be demonstrated by one or more of the following:
1. The entity is owned, operated or managed by UND.
2. The University has, or enters into, an authorized contractual relationship
for Web hosting with the entity, including a requirement that the content
owner indemnify and hold harmless the University for and against any
and all third-party claims arising out of such hosting.
3. The vice president for University & Public Affairs determines that the
entity has another relationship to the University sufficient to support the
University’s mission.
Externally Hosted Web
Content
University Web content hosted by external service providers and managed
through University owned contracts. University Web content that is externally
hosted is also governed by sections of this policy.
Individual Website
Website developed and maintained by UND students, faculty and staff that
represents, advances or connects to the University’s work and mission.
Personal Website
Website developed and maintained by individuals for the purpose of personal
self-expression, communication or other personal uses that are not related to
the individual’s officially recognized relationship with the University.
University Web Content
Any content (i.e. text, data, images, documents, video and audio files) hosted
on UND servers or by outside firms that represents the work of the University.
Such content is owned by the University, except as may otherwise be provided
in the University’s Intellectual Property Policy, in which case the content is
licensed for use by the University.
W3C
World Wide Web Consortium. The W3C develops protocols and guidelines on
topics such as Web accessibility, internationalization and Web devices.
Page 4 of 7
UND Finance & Operations Policy Library
Section 2, Finance
Cell Phones and Other Mobile Devices 2.18
PRINCIPLES [The “Overview” section: The “Principles” section of a policy is an expansion of the Policy Statement, an “overview”.
This section allows for a fuller description of the contents than what was possible in the “statement” section. Generally 1 to 4 paragraphs.]
OVERVIEW – This policy governs the use of the UND website. It defines which websites must be constructed
using the approved CMS and which University entities are allowed to be hosted on University servers.
UND resources, including its website, must be used in accordance with state laws and NDUS Procedure 1901.2;
and must be sustained in a manner that maintains identity guidelines, quality control, manages risk, optimizes
usability, and provides consistency. This policy further defines the terms and conditions for all websites hosted on
UND servers.
CONTENT OWNERSHIP AND RESPONSIBILITY – Development, administration and management of Web
content is the sole responsibility of the corresponding unit. Web content ownership and responsibility issues will
be directed to deans, directors or vice presidents offices that are ultimately responsible for all entities in their
portfolio and the content developers who have access to their Web pages.
PROCEDURES [A Finance & Operations University policy at UND must contain procedures for compliance. This section will mirror
the “Responsibilities” section which outlines required actions by job function, whereas in the “Procedures” section, such actions are listed by
the tasks themselves.]
Web Hosting
As noted in the table below, Web hosting is determined based on a unit’s relationship with the University.
Websites that are required to use the CMS may also be required to use a predefined template.
Unit Type
Academic Unit
Administrative Unit
Affiliate
Individual Websites
External Entities
Class Websites
Personal Websites
UND CMS Will Host
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No (use Blackboard)
No
CMS Template Required
Academic
Non Academic
Organization
Organization
No
No
No
Content Management System (CMS)
Any website hosted on a registered UND server must be in the approved CMS. Use of the official design
templates or elements thereof outside of the CMS is not permitted except in cases where the use of the CMS is
not viable and is approved by the vice president for University & Public Affairs. Hosting of UND pages on nonUND servers must be approved by the vice president for University & Public Affairs.
Any unit or individual seeking a complete exception to the CMS must provide a content management plan to
the vice president for University & Public Affairs that addresses the following:
1. Responsible parties and website access.
2. Compliance with World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and UND identity guidelines.
3. Ability to provide emergency notifications.
4. Description of how the website will not hinder a user’s ability to find content via the university-wide
search function and global (site-wide) navigation.
Externally Hosted Web Content
Non-university Web content should not use or replicate the University’s templates in a manner that confuses
content ownership. The University reserves all rights in its trademarks, service marks, and copyrighted works,
and unauthorized use is prohibited.
Page 5 of 7
UND Finance & Operations Policy Library
Section 2, Finance
Cell Phones and Other Mobile Devices 2.18
Identity Guidelines
UND websites must adhere to the UND identity guidelines presented on the UND Identity Guidelines website.
Accessibility
UND websites must comply with all North Dakota state and federal disability regulations and follow World
Wide Web Consortium (W3C) guidelines.
Use of Copyrighted or Licensed Material
See NDUS Procedure 1901.2, sub-part 3.1.2 Intellectual Property. Questions about specific content may be
directed to UND’s Office of General Counsel.
Special Applications/Databases
Special Web applications and databases hosted on the UND website and representing the official voice of the
University will adhere to standards referenced in this policy. Special Web applications and databases hosted on
UND servers resulting from contractual obligations and not representing UND are exempt from this policy.
Advertising, Political and Commercial Use, Endorsements and Sponsorship
Acknowledgements
It is the policy of UND not to permit advertising and commercial activities on the UND website. Use of the
UND website for political purposes and/or private gain is prohibited. To the extent their inclusion does not
express or unreasonably imply an endorsement, approval, or non-existent business relationship, links to UND
partners, sponsors and affiliates are permitted. For purposes of this policy, advertisements that are inseparable
from, or integrated with, otherwise permissible content, such as advertisements appearing in an uploaded copy
of a printed UND publication, shall not be a violation.
Confidentiality
Maintenance and protection of proprietary information is the responsibility of the corresponding unit. This
includes both proprietary information originated within UND as well as third party information provided to
UND under non-disclosure agreements. In addition, individuals are responsible for maintaining confidentiality
of research where development protectable technology is anticipated, per the obligations of UND’s Intellectual
Property Policy. Questions about confidentiality and specific content can be directed to UND’s Office of
Intellectual Property Commercialization & Economic Development.
Violations/Non-Compliance
UND reserves the right to refuse to host Web content, and to remove or modify Web content without
permission from the content owner provided a notice is given. Content and/or links to areas found to be in
violation of UND policies, or local, state, or federal laws, will be immediately terminated.
The following reasons are also grounds for termination:
1. Content does not adhere to the University's mission or policies.
2. Content violates United States copyright laws.
3. Content is harmful, obscene, offensive, defamatory or threatening.
4. Content is designed for personal purpose, or private financial gain or compensation, unless authorized
by contract.
5. Content is used to intimidate or single out an individual or group for degradation or harassment in
violation of federal or state law and official University policy.
6. Content is used to engage in or solicit any illegal activity in violation of federal or state law or official
University policy.
7. Content is outdated, inaccurate or poorly presented.
8. Content poses a performance problem or security risk.
Exceptions/Exemptions
Requests for exceptions or exemptions to this policy must be made in writing to the vice president of University
& Public Affairs.
Page 6 of 7
UND Finance & Operations Policy Library
Section 2, Finance
Cell Phones and Other Mobile Devices 2.18
Right to Appeal
Content owners or developers who have their Web content removed or modified may appeal the decision to the
vice president for University & Public Affairs.
Disclaimer
The University is not responsible for loss of information from computing misuse, malfunction of computing
hardware, malfunction of computing software, or external contamination of data or programs.
RESPONSIBILITIES [Summarize the responsibilities of all University parties and offices named in the policy. It’s a snapshot in
one location.]
Division of University &
Public Affairs
 Provide standards for design, editorial content, manages CMS access, and
leadership for the University’s website.
NDUS
 Provide server maintenance and technical programming support for the
University website.
General Counsel
 Provide consultation on copyrighted or licensed material, and state and
federal laws and regulations.
Intellectual Property
Commercialization &
Economic Development
 Provide consultation on confidential information and Web content
ownership.
UND Design Group
 Maintains and enforces UND identity guidelines.
Content Developer
 Create and maintain a Web presence that adheres to this policy.
Content Owner
 Develop, administer and manage Web content for their corresponding unit.
FORMS [List all related forms required for compliance and reference how they can be obtained (website, office, etc.)]
Web Space Request
UND.edu/web-support/form-web-space.cfm
OU User Account Request
UND.edu/web-support/form-users.cfm
APPENDICES [Optional - Appendices are used for informational materials that are helpful, but not directly related to the
implementation of the policy. List corresponding appendices and attach separate documents. Include location where available.]
REVISION RECORD [Track what type of changes or made and when.]
00/00/0000 – Policy Implementation



Page 7 of 7