1.0       Introduction

            The World Wide Web plays a pivotal role in conveying information about UW-Stout and provides a common point of access to networked resources for students, faculty, staff, alumni and others. Therefore, special attention needs to be given to UW-Stout's web presence.  This policy ensures that current, accurate and consistent information is presented on web servers under the authority of the university.  Questions regarding clarification or interpretation of this policy should be directed to the University Web Coordinator.

2.0       Scope of Policy

             This policy applies to all information on Stout servers, regardless of the server on which it resides, and to all individuals, committees or institutional units publishing information on university web servers. Activity and information posted on the web must conform to policies, rules and regulations of the university regardless of funding sources.

3.0       Definitions

            3.1 Administrative Information

            Information posted on university web servers by officially recognized units, programs and departments describing and supporting UW-Stout policies, programs, units and services.

            3.2 Academic Support Information

            Information posted on university web servers by faculty, staff, and units in support of teaching and academic research, including, but not limited to, online course materials and licensed databases.

            3.3 Unofficial Information

            Information posted on university web servers by students and student organizations and sites posted by faculty, staff, and students acting on their own behalf.

4.0       Statement of Policy

4.1        Administrative information must be current, accurate and consistent. Only recognized units, projects or programs may publish administrative information on university web servers. Content is subject to review and revision as described in section 5.0 Implementation of Policy.

             Sites with administrative information must conform to the UW-Stout Web Publishing Standards.

4.2        Academic support and unofficial information may be hosted on UW-Stout web servers by faculty, staff, students and SSA-approved student organizations. Faculty and staff may serve as host web server providers for affiliated professional organizations. Hosting academic support and unofficial information and web sites is subject to approval based on server capacity.

Academic support and unofficial web sites for the purpose of learning, teaching, research, public service, exploration, and experimentation are protected as basic elements of the academic environment. Free expression of ideas and pursuit of knowledge is considered central to the academic process of the campus. Therefore, on academic support and unofficial web sites, faculty, staff and students may publish freely and openly within the constraints of state and federal law, including copyright laws.

The university will not edit information on academic support or unofficial sites, nor accept responsibility for their content.

 4.3        Use of university web resources implies acceptance of all laws and policies related to web publishing, use of computing resources and academic misconduct. Engaging in activities in violation of federal or state laws, this or other policies of UW-Stout or UW System may result in the immediate loss of web access privileges.  The enforcement depends on the violation: academic violations will be handled by the Dean of Students; copyright violations by University Relations; other violations by Affirmative Action, Human Resources, or campus police as appropriate.

4.4        Use of university web resources by faculty, staff or students for personal gain, profit or commercial purposes is prohibited.

4.5        Commercial advertising on a university web site is prohibited.

4.6        Links included within the university's web sites may point to non-university websites, but are limited to those that meet the purposes of the university.  Inclusion of a link does not imply endorsement by UW-Stout or affiliation with the external organization.

5.0       Implementation of Policy

            5.1        The Web Review Committee will develop and maintain UW-Stout Web Publishing Standards to meet institutional needs.

            5.2       Units, projects or programs publishing information on the web hold primary responsibility for their content and must conform to this policy and the UW-Stout Web Publishing Standards.

            5.3        The University Web Coordinator in consultation with the Web Review Committee will assure compliance with this policy and the UW-Stout Web Publishing Standards.

5.4        The Web Review Committee will consist of the University Web Coordinator (ex officio) and others appointed by the Chancellor.

6.0       References

             Copyright Law U.S. Code Title 17

            Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)

            Family and Educational Rights and Privacy Act 34 CFR 99

            UW-System Policy on Use of University Information Technology Resources,

                        Board of Regents, 6/6/97

            UW-Stout Racist and Discriminatory Conduct Policy

            UW-Stout Policy No. 91-53 Sexual Harassment Policy

            W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0, 5/5/99

            Wisconsin Administrative Code: Chapter UWS 8 and Chapter Pers 24

            Wisconsin Administrative Code: Chapters UWS 14 and UWS 17

            Wisconsin Administrative Code: Chapters UWS 18 and UWS 21

            Wisconsin Statutes, section 943.70

            Wisconsin Statutes, Chapter 11

            UW-Stout Web Publishing Standards

            UW-Stout Identity and Publications Standards Policy 90-52

            UW-Stout Identity Standards