Web Publication Policy

This policy, like the existing university publication policy, was developed because the visual and verbal images TTU presents are important to the university's success. The intent is to present a consistent image of the university and to ensure that web-based material accurately represents the university, complies with legal and ethical standards, and meets standards of computing use set forth in the TTU Code of Computing Practice.

1. The official university home page is the document located at http://www.tntech.edu/
2. Material posted to the main university Web server or to other Web servers that meets all of the following criteria is considered official communication and must follow the Web Site Requirements, University Web Style Guidelines and be reviewed for format and style by the appropriate area within the Office of Public Affairs:
   • Bears the name of Tennessee Technological University.
   • Is intended to represent university departments, offices and services, associations and student organizations.
   • Can be accessed by individuals off campus.

   Official communication should comply, when applicable, to the university's publications policy, which sets forth graphic standards governing use of the university logo and seal. These items are described in sections 6.3.1 and 6.3.2 of the publications policy.

3. The following materials are not considered official communication. Authors are urged to comply with the Web Site Requirements and University Web Style Guidelines, but materials do not require review by the Office of Public Affairs:
   
   • Personal homepages.
   • Material posted by university employees that may include the university name but whose primary focus is to represent professional or civic organizations and target their communication to those audiences. Because this material reflects upon the university, employees are strongly encouraged to follow style guidelines and consult with the Office of Public Affairs.
   • Course web sites

   Unofficial material is the responsibility of the poster. Because it is accessible through university servers and/or networks, however, it must conform to legal and ethical standards, including laws and policies governing copyright, libel, sexual harassment and pornography.

4. This TTU World Wide Web publications policy also applies to "unofficial" servers maintained by university offices or organizations. Such scope is necessary since links between university servers may appear seamless to outside users.

5. In general, both official and unofficial information available on university servers is governed by the TTU Code of Computing Practice, which sets forth moral, ethical and legal standards for university computing activity.

   In addition, information distributed on servers must be the intellectual property of the individuals distributing it and must not contain copyrighted material that has not been cleared by the copyright holder for distribution. All servers using the name Tennessee Technological University must include a statement on a main menu or home page identifying the office or individual responsible for maintaining the information.

6. The director of the Office of Public Affairs, in conjunction with the Information Technology Services (ITS), may waive these requirements for individual offices or projects.

7. This policy is not intended to limit the ability of offices to produce their own materials. The Public Affairs Office and Photographic Services have a staff of professional writers, editors, designers and photographers to help offices and departments produce material for off-campus audiences. These professionals are able to advise about and produce materials that will meet this policy. Offices are invited to use these services, which in most cases are provided at no charge. When offices elect to produce materials covered by this policy on their own, final review for graphical presentation and format by the appropriate area in the Office of Public Affairs is required before the material can be intentionally distributed to off-campus audiences or linked to the university's main page. Offices are encouraged to consult with the Office of Public Affairs or the Information Technology Services (ITS) with any questions about interpretation of this policy.

8. Should you discover university Web material that is out of date or in conflict with Tennessee Tech policies, please contact both the individual author and webmaster@tntech.edu.