UAF website standards and requirements
Memo from the Associate Vice Chancellor
TO: UAF Deans, Directors and Department Heads
FROM: Ann Ringstad, Associate Vice Chancellor for UAF University Relations
DATE: Sept. 29, 2005
SUBJECT: UAF website standards and requirements
UAF has taken on the challenge of creating a uniform institutional identity in all of our promotional efforts. We are making progress in the publications area, and for that I thank you. We are now moving into the next phase by extending our branding to the World Wide Web.
UAF web guidelines must be followed. This is necessary not only to create brand recognition, but to also meet federal and state requirements to provide accessible information to persons with disabilities, and assist users with a more cohesive method of obtaining information. Guidelines and standards for developing UAF websites have been established for some time and are posted on the Web at: http://www.uaf.edu/Marketing and Communications/standards/web/. All UAF affiliated entity websites must be brought into compliance by September 1, 2006. I encourage departments to review these guidelines to see how UAF websites can be adapted to conform to the standards. If you are considering a website update, it is imperative that you work with University Relations from the beginning, rather than after the fact, as you put your design elements in place.
As you start looking at how you can satisfy the requirements, be aware that help is available. Web savvy staff can find easy-to-follow instructions in the guidelines for adding the official UAF banner or a customized alternate banner to a site. Request alternate banners online at http://www.uaf.edu/marketing/standards/web/banners.html. A University Relations web developer will create it and help implement its use.
Additional web services are available on campus for a fee and University Relations provides consultations without charge. Free training classes are scheduled each semester. If a web development firm is hired, the UAF guidelines must still be followed. For more details about the services offered at UAF, please see the help section of the guidelines.
Thank you to all departments already working on their websites to bring them into compliance. We are beginning to strengthen our web presence as a result of your efforts.
University Relations will be contacting departments shortly to update web account records and to discuss any concerns with respect to the guidelines. If you have questions in the meantime, please contact a UR web representative:
Jackie Stormer - jackie.stormer@uaf.edu - 1928
Susan Gibson - susan.gibson@uaf.edu - 2784
Gretchen King - g.king@uaf.edu - 2786
Jenn Baker - j.baker@uaf.edu - 6863