Ferrum College Web Policies

1.      Scope of Web Policies

1.1           This policy shall apply to all web content on Ferrum College servers available through the internet listing http://www.ferrum.edu.

2.      Purpose of Web Policies

2.1.1      In an effort to maintain a consistent and competent web image throughout the whole of Ferrum College’s Internet presence, a set of standards must be created and maintained for all web pages under www.ferrum.edu.

2.1.2      These standards follow the existing policies and mission of Ferrum College and extend to both web page appearance and content.

2.1.3      The Ferrum College Web Polices will always be found in their current form at:  http://www.ferrum.edu/guides/webpolicies.html .

2.1.4      Policies will be reviewed and updated annually.

3.      Web Standards

3.1       Design Guidelines and Provisions

3.1.1      The Web Services Specialist will provide a set of HTML style guidelines as well as standard images, templates, and competent instructions for creating a Ferrum College standard web page.

3.1.2      These design guidelines will be located at all times at: http://www.ferrum.edu/guides.

3.1.3      These styles and standards may change with any official repositioning that may affect symbols such as the logo(s), motto(s) and any other brand-associated symbols or representations of Ferrum College.

3.1.4      Any changes in standards will be communicated through http://www.ferrum.edu/guides.

3.1.5      All web pages under the umbrella of www.ferrum.edu will be expected to conform to the College’s graphic standards.

3.1.6      Ferrum College reserves the right to edit, revise, or change design standards or elements on any official college page.

3.2       Content Guidelines

3.2.1      Pages must contain a link pointing to the www.ferrum.edu front page.

3.2.2      Page originator is responsible for reviewing and updating content at least twice annually.  Each page must include the date it was most recently reviewed.

3.2.3      Any and all copyright protected images or written works displayed must be properly authorized and not violate the rights of copyright owner(s).

3.2.4      Pages are to comply with all federal and state laws in addition to compliance with the existing mission and policies of Ferrum College.

3.2.5      Ferrum College reserves the right in its discretion to refuse to post and to remove any page that it deems to be inappropriate, offensive, defamatory, or otherwise in violation of the Web Policies or any other policy of Ferrum College.

3.2.6      Official changes in standards, design, qualifications and content may be implemented without prior notice, but not without campus-wide communication via e-mail and posting in the Web Policies.

3.2.7      Ferrum College reserves the right to edit, revise, or eliminate content on any official college page.

3.3       Federal Non-Profit Law and Acceptable Web Publication

3.3.1      Ferrum College, in accordance with Federal Law, prohibits the use of non-profit resource for personal financial or other gain.

3.3.2      “Resource” is defined as encompassing, but not limited to: network bandwidth, server space, web page code (HTML or otherwise) and e-mail.

3.3.3      Ferrum College facilities, equipment and network may not be used in connection with compensated work unrelated to the college.

3.4       Content Maintenance

3.4.1      While we encourage and respect creativity in web pages by departments, faculty, staff, and students, we reserve the right to not include or promote web pages with content that  may be deemed inappropriate or which violate any college policy.

3.4.2      Individuals, organizations and events wishing to create independently designed and maintained pages that do not directly utilize provided templates must contact the Web Services Specialist for consideration for the Site Map and other officially linked areas.  Please refer to appropriate categories in the Campus Web Policies for specifications and design and content instructions.

3.4.3      For Ferrum College, the Web Services Specialist will maintain and guide the design and appearance of primary pages of the www.ferrum.edu website including but not limited to:  the front page, subsequent visitor entrance pages (ex:  Alumni, Current Students, Faculty/Staff, and Prospective Students), Site Map, Search Engine, web promotions and marketing, and the pages of each Academic Division (re: 3.5 Divisional Web Pages).

3.4.4      Each department is responsible for any page representing their department.

3.5       Divisional Web Pages

3.5.1      Academic Division entrance pages will be created and maintained by the Web Services Specialist using content provided by Division Leaders.

3.5.2      Maintenance will be provided once requested in writing (with appropriate information provided), on a first-come, first-serve basis.

3.5.3      Division Chairs will provide[1] written information to Admissions and Public Relations concerning, but not limited to:  Division description (mission, purpose, and goals), Faculty Roster and contact information, and the descriptions of special Division programs.

3.6           Departmental, Faculty, and Staff Web Pages

3.6.1      Departmental, Faculty, and Staff Web Pages for departmental or scholarly pursuit are to be created and maintained by the individual faculty or staff member.

3.6.2      Departmental, Faculty, and Staff web pages must adhere to the content guidelines set forth in the Web Policies.

3.6.3      Faculty and Staff web pages must adhere to the standards and guidelines set forth by the Web Services Specialist in the provided templates (http://www.ferrum.edu/guides).

3.6.4      Any pages linked from the Divisional pages must strictly adhere to template standards.  Pages subsequently linked from pages linked to Divisional pages are encouraged, but not required, to maintain the Template standards.  Such subsequent pages are, however, still under the realm of basic Web and College Policy.

3.7           Site Map Listing

3.7.1      The www.ferrum.edu Site Map will include only links for official web pages.

3.7.2      “Official Pages” are defined as those included in the Site Map.

3.7.3      The www.ferrum.edu Site Map may denote that additional pages may exist beyond those linked.

3.7.4      Desired modifications to a website other than those of Divisional, Public Relations, or front page matters will be considered on a relevant first-come, first-serve basis.  Requesting parties will first be referred to templates, tutorials and workshops for assistance in building and modifying web-related resources under their responsibility.

3.8           Web Browsers

3.8.1      The www.ferrum.edu site will operate under the assumption that the majority of the general public, including the students and employees of Ferrum College, browse the Internet with a browser no older than Internet Explorer/Netscape versions 4.0.

3.8.2      Plug-in requirements will be displayed on applicable pages with links where the Plug-ins may be downloaded.

3.8.3      The campus community should contact Computer Services (x5571) for help verifying or installing a browser or plug-in.

 

4.      Responsible Use Policy for College Computer & College Network Access

(Reprinted in part from the current Student Handbook)

The use of Ferrum College computers and its computer network is a privilege, not a right.

The following actions constitute irresponsible and unacceptable use of the Internet and Ferrum College computers and may result in a range of disciplinary actions (please see appropriate student, staff, or faculty handbooks):

• sending or receiving copyrighted materials without permission;

• using impolite, abusive, or otherwise objectionable language in public messages;

• placing unlawful information on College computers;

• using College computers in ways that violate local, state, federal, or international laws or statutes;

• excessive use of College computers for non-school related activities;

• sending messages that are likely to result in the loss of the recipient's work or systems;

• sending chain letters or pyramid schemes to lists or individuals, and any other types of use that would cause congestion on College computers or otherwise interfere with the work of others;

• using College computers or its network for commercial purposes;

• changing any computer file that does not belong to the user;

• giving one's password to others or allowing some one else to use one's password;

• using another's password without proper authorization;

• using College computers to send or retrieve pornographic material, inappropriate texts or graphic files;

• circumventing security measures on College or remote computers or networks;

• attempting to gain access to another's resources, programs, or data without proper authorization;

• vandalizing, which is any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another computer user;

• falsifying one's identity to others while on College computers;

• using computer programs to decode passwords or access control information;

• attempting to circumvent or subvert any system of security measures;

• engaging in any activity that might be harmful to systems or to any information stored thereon, such as creating or propagating viruses, disrupting services, or damaging files;

• using e-mail or messaging services to harass, intimidate, or threaten another person;

• wasting computer resources.

The items above should not be considered comprehensive. Other inappropriate actions not listed may also be considered irresponsible and unacceptable use of College computers and its network (i.e., violations addressed in Ferrum College's Student and Staff Handbooks). Violations may also be subject to local, state, federal, and international laws and statutes and may be prosecuted accordingly.