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Web Site Development Policy
(Full Version)

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Web Site Policy Document

INTRODUCTION: WEB SITE STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES
FOR INSTITUTIONAL AND PERSONAL PAGES

REQUIRED STANDARDS FOR PERSONAL WEB PAGES

REQUIRED STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES FOR INSTITUTIONAL WEB PAGES

SITE RESPONSIBILITY AND ENFORCEMENT OF STANDARDS

I. WEB SITE ENVIRONMENTS AND TOOLS
A. Server environment
B. Desktop development environments
C. Multimedia server environment
D. Web publishing tools
E. Graphic/image files

II. CONTENT ORGANIZATION/SITE ARCHITECTURE
A. Process for Organization

III. CONTENT TEXT – WRITING/STYLE/PRESENTATION
A. Common elements and conventions
B. Structure
C. Diction
D. Correctness
E. References

IV. UWRF BRANDING REQUIREMENTS
A.& B. Common page elements
C. Page size
D. Font style and size
E. Colors
F. Breadcrumbs
G. Content terminology and usage

V. WEB PUBLISHING CONVENTIONS
A. Navigation
B. Accessibility
C. Opening new browser windows
D. Limiting file size
D1. File Management and Naming
E. Optimizing images
F. Use of HTML
G. Use of publishing elements other than HTML
H. Use of layers
I. Use of frames
J. Naming of files
K. Addressing of files
L. Use of alt tags
M. Use of motion
N. Use of meta tags
O. Use of mailto tags vs. HTML/CGI contact forms
P. Use of “under construction” links
Q. Usability by search engines
R. Usability by various browsers/versions/technologies

APPENDIX A. TERMINOLOGY, USAGE, AND SPELLING

APPENDIX B. ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

Campus Web Development Office
21 North Hall, 425-0661
webmaster@uwrf.edu

REQUIRED STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES FOR INSTITUTIONAL WEB PAGES

The University of Wisconsin-River Falls (UWRF) Web Site Standards and Guidelines herein establishes the minimum standards to be followed on all institutional Web sites. In addition, this document contains recommendations and, where appropriate, explanations and references for further information. Each of the following standards and recommendations addresses one or more of three major areas: branding, accessibility, and functionality.

Branding is important to UWRF’s goal of providing a consistent look and feel to the university’s Web presence. Branding encompasses matters of site architecture, navigation, layout, graphics, colors and fonts, minimum page elements, and consistent terminology, usage, and spelling.

Accessibility issues address the need to make all university Web pages accessible to two groups:

1. people using various technologies (for example, browsers, search engines, operating systems, wireless systems), and
2. people with disabilities (including visual, mobility, and cognitive/language impairments).
   Accessibility issues affect layout and design, navigation, graphics and sound, use of software other than HTML, use of multimedia elements, file size, and usage conventions. UW System strongly recommends UWRF Web sites comply with section 508 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act .
   Functionality issues include content organization and presentation, adoption of common software, Web publishing tools, plug-ins, addressing schema, and file-naming conventions.
   Starting immediately, the following standards and recommendations must be observed on all UWRF office and department Web sites.
   At all times, the latest version of the UWRF Web Site Standards and Guidelines must be followed.

 

 

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