Web Hosting Policy

Publicly accessible web pages presenting Educational Equity-related information must be hosted within the unit's content management system.

Purpose

This policy, approved by the Vice Provost for Educational Equity, establishes a central web governance policy for all staff within the unit. The benefits of hosting all of the unit web pages in a single content management system include:

  • Search engine optimization
  • Mobile-friendly experience
  • Our sites are optimized to be easily viewed on any device including mobile
  • A strategic, unit-wide information architecture
  • Technical support to ensure availability of information, support and training with using the content management system, and/or assistance with information architecture
  • Consistent, representative branding (including compliance with Penn State policy AD54)
  • Accessibility compliance (per Penn State policy AD69)
  • Required privacy and legal statements
  • Secure, reliable environment (content backed up)
  • Site-wide Google Analytics
  • We are able to analyze web traffic for all Educational Equity-hosted websites and use the data to make improvements.
  • Ability to quickly make site-wide improvements or changes
  • If changes need to be made to comply with best practices or University policy, we can quickly implement them across the site.
As a result, we are able to increase our search rankings and visits to our websites, and provide a consistent user experience.  Additionally, it facilitates the ability to provide support, manage upgrades, comply with University policies, and consult on best web practices.

Scope

All publicly accessible web pages presenting Educational Equity information must adhere to the policy below. This includes all pages containing information sanctioned by the Vice Provost for Educational Equity and directly related to unit business or activities including, but not limited to:
 
  • Administrative programs
  • Academic support initiatives
  • Departments and units
  • Projects, Centers, Support Organizations

Policy

All web pages within the above scope must be published within the unit's content management system under one of the following domains:
Web pages presenting Educational Equity information should never be hosted outside of the unit content management system or under domains that are not psu.edu (such as .org or .com) unless approved as an exception by the Vice Provost. Additionally, approval from the Penn State Office of Strategic Communications may be required.

Exceptions

Exceptions to this policy may be granted in situations where it has been determined and agreed upon, per stated policy, that supplementary content cannot be adequately represented and/or managed within the unit content management system and/or under one of the domains specified above. Exceptions will not allow for a unit's primary online presence to be hosted outside of the Educational Equity content management system. Further, a unit's content cannot be duplicated outside of the unit content management system, as this violates the purpose of this policy.

Educational Equity information presented outside of the current environment, via an approved exception, must still comply with all University policies.