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West Texas A&M University Web Guidelines and Procedures
Approved May 2004

(There is also a printable version of this document which requires Adobe Reader.)

Overview

As the image and reputation of West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) is determined by the quality of information that is conveyed to our constituencies, content of all Web pages residing on University servers or servers funded by University budgets, must be accurate, timely and in compliance with local, state and federal laws.

The Chief Information Officer and the Web Advisory Committee (WAC) consider all matters related to the WTAMU Web site and make specific recommendations to the administration.

WTAMU department heads will appoint Content Coordinators who are responsible for overseeing all department Web pages and for assuring the timeliness and accuracy of all content in department Web sites.

The Web Advisory Committee reserves the right to review any department Web site to ensure consistency and compliance with University Web guidelines and procedures and may request changes based on the requirements contained in this policy. Individuals who violate the requirements contained in this document may have their web account privileges suspended or terminated. The Web Advisory Committee must approve all requests for placement of content (links, text, etc.) on the University home page with the exception of the news and information sections.

The Office of Communication Services has responsibility and authority for content relating to the news and information section.

Purpose

The University Web Guidelines are provided to aid in the development of a clear identity for the University on the World Wide Web in terms of standardization and consistency of Web sites across the University campus. Careful attention must be taken to adhere to established accessibility/usability standards and design standards.

The Web Guidelines and Procedures consist of requirements and recommendations for all Web sites.

The following definitions will apply:

Content Coordinator -- The Content Coordinator is responsible for overseeing all department Web pages and for assuring the timeliness and accuracy of all content.

Levels of Web pages:

  • First -- The home page located at http://www.wtamu.edu/. The home page is developed by the Web Advisory Committee and maintained by the Division of Information Technology and the Office of Communication Services.

  • Second -- Index pages (i.e. current students, prospective students, etc.). The index pages are developed by the Web Advisory Committee and maintained by the Division of Information Technology.

  • Third and subsequent pages -- All Web pages for colleges, divisions, departments, research centers and administrative offices are developed and maintained by departmental Content Coordinators.

General Guidelines:

  1. Compliance

    All official University Web pages must comply with West Texas A&M University Web guidelines and procedures as well as all applicable state and federal laws.

  2. Copyright

    Copyright laws must be strictly observed on all West Texas A&M University Web pages. Content Coordinators must have documented permission to copy and display copyrighted text, graphics or photographs on their pages.

  3. Links

    Links must be clearly identified and must comply with the overall mission of the University and departmental goals.

  4. Accessibility

  5. Name, Logos and Symbols

    All representations of the West Texas A&M University name, logos and symbols must conform to official guidelines outlined by the University. The logo and other official artwork may be found on the home page of the Office of Communication Services.

  6. Commercial Advertising

    Products or services, other than those officially approved by the University Web Advisory Committee, may not be sold from University Web sites.

  7. Recommended Design Guidelines

    Consistency:

    1. Third and subsequent level pages should:

      • link to the University home page,
      • include department name, and
      • provide easy access to departmental information.

    2. Other common elements include:

      • standardized use of the University logo placed in the same location on each home page and subsequent pages,
      • an e-mail address to which comments can be sent (i.e. Contact Us),
      • copyright statement, and
      • link to University search site.

    3. Content

      Content Coordinators should pay attention to ensure proper mechanics on all Web pages: spelling, grammar, punctuation, parallelism, etc. In general, content should:

      • contain relevant information void of wordiness,
      • have links to related pages,
      • provide a table of contents for large pages, and
      • avoid use of the ampersand (&) in departmental titles or links. The ampersand (&) is an official part of the West Texas A&M University wordmark and should NOT be used in any other context as an indiscriminate substitute for the word "and." It is reserved for use when referring to the University name, and if necessary, use illustrative, optimized graphics to explain an idea.

    4. University Colors - Content Coordinators are encouraged to use Web-safe University colors on their Web pages or use the pre-defined templates on their Web pages.

      University Color Hex Number RGB Numbers
      White #FFFFFF R = 255, G = 255, B = 255
      Maroon #660000 R = 102, G = 0, B = 0
      Recommended Accent Colors:
      University Color Hex Number RGB Numbers
      Beige #EEE2B9 R = 238, G = 226, B = 185
      Tan #C2BD85 R = 194, G = 189, B = 133

    5. Backgrounds

      White is the preferred background for University pages.

    6. Web Typefaces

      • As a Web page designer, you can choose to use any font you wish. But if a user (anyone who views your Web page) does not have that particular font installed on his or her computer, the font will not be what you specified. Instead, a "default font" will appear. You will have no idea what that default font may be. Fortunately, a few fonts have become "standard" on most computers.

      • Arial is the preferred font for University pages.

      • "Relative" font sizes, such as plus and/or minus 1, are preferred for reasons of meeting accessibility guidelines. Fixed font sizes, such as 12 or 2, are not preferred.

      • For those who choose not to use the templates, we encourage the inclusion of the University stylesheet to format your Web pages. See hand coding the WT Templates for more information.

    7. Images

      • Images should be set to 72 dpi.

      • Alt tags are required for every image used on your Website.

  8. Management

    • Content Coordinators should centralize pages under their control.

  9. Content Management Software

    • Macromedia Contribute may be used to create and maintain departmental Web sites. With Contribute 2, non-technical users can make changes while maintaining site standards for style, layout and code without knowing HTML.

    • Content Coordinators must identify themselves by submitting a work order to the Information Technology Service Center (x4357) and attending an initial training session prior to using Contribute and/or posting/updating departmental Web pages. It is the responsibility of each department to notify Web Services when the departmental Content Coordinator changes.

    • Content Coordinators should request access and installation of the templates to the Information Technology Service Center at x4357 or by e-mail at itsc@mail.wtamu.edu.

  10. Website Templates

    • Content Coordinators who choose to hand code their pages should visit the WT Intranet (http://www.wtaccess.wtamu.edu/templates) to review and download the code used to generate WT pages.
    • Contribute users may access the template from within the Contribute program.
    • Each WTAMU Web Template contains `edit regions.' Content Coordinators should replace the placeholder information in each 'edit region' with department content.
    • Direct any questions concerning access to templates or use of templates to the Information Technology Service Center at x4357 or by e-mail at itsc@mail.wtamu.edu.

  11. Requirements Checklist

    • A quick checklist with links to further information about each item that should be included in every WTAMU Web page is provided on the next page:

West Texas A&M University Web Guidelines and Procedures for Content Coordinators

The University Web Guidelines and Procedures for Content Coordinators are provided to aid in the development of a clear, consistent identity for the University on the World Wide Web. Careful attention must be taken to adhere to established accessibility/usability and design standards. Because access to campus Web accounts is a privilege, individuals who violate the Web guidelines and procedures may have their Web account privileges suspended or terminated.

Content Coordinator Responsibilities Checklist:

_____ WTAMU Guidelines and Procedures read
 
_____ Copyright Statement
  _____ Copyright statement included
  _____ Permission for all copyrighted content (i.e. graphics, video, audio, text, etc).
 
_____ Accessibility
  _____ Bobby Approved, Priority Level 1
 
_____ Departmental Homepage Links
  _____ University home page
 
_____ Names, Logos and Symbols
  _____ Comply with University Style
 
_____ Contact Information
 
_____ Spelling and Grammar

How to Build Your Department Website:

  • Contact the Help Desk (ext. 4357) to setup your content coordinator account.
  • Register for a training session on Macromedia Contribute 2. (You are not required to use Macromedia Contribute 2. However, Academic Services does offer help and support for this software).
  • Select appropriate template for your department.

Requirements for Your Department Website:

  • Appropriate content.
  • Accessibility compliant (Priority Level 1).

Recommendations for Your Department Website:

  • Use Macromedia Contribute 2.
  • Select a template from Web services.
  • Link to WTAMU homepage. (This is provided with the Contribute 2 templates).
  • Association with department (if applicable).
  • Contact information.
  • Copyright date (this is not a last updated date).
  • Use the standard font Arial.
  • Use graphics to visually enhance your Web site. (For the fastest download results, use pictures that are set to 72 dpi).
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