Contra Costa College

Web Publishing Guidelines

Purpose

There are currently over 2000 pages on the Contra Costa College web site that can be viewed by internet users around the world. The following Web Publishing Guidelines are intended to:

Assist the college community maintain official web pages in a consistent and accurate way

and

Provide the maximum possible artistic and intellectual freedom for the publication of unofficial web pages.

Official Web Page Standards

1. If it is determined by the college that an official web page does not comply with these web-publishing guidelines, the page may be temporarily hidden from the system. The web page author will be notified and given an opportunity to modify the page or to appeal the decision.

2. Official college web pages should be reviewed at least once a semester by the author of each web page. All information contained: should be checked to ensure that it is accurate and current, does not conflict with the college's values and is an extension of the mission statement (as defined in the “What We Believe” section of the college catalog as well as other appropriate college documents), and does not violate any state or federal law, including all applicable copyright and trademark regulations.

3. No photographs depicting past or present staff or students should be published on the college web page without written permission.

4. Official college web pages should:

a. Use only the course names, numbers and abbreviations that conform to the official nomenclature published in the current college catalog.

b. Provide a navigation bar and/or menu for easy navigation.

c. When using the CCC logo, obtain a copy of the official version from Technology Services. (60 X 120).

d. Include the e-mail address for the web page author.

e. Include the date the web page was last modified.

f. Provide a link back to the CCC homepage. (http://www.contracosta.cc.ca.us)

g. Avoid any dead end links that do not provide a way to navigate to another page.

h. Obtain approval by the appropriate manager prior to publication of a new department or division web page.

i. Each page should be carefully edited for correct spelling, punctuation, grammar and style.

j. To avoid inconsistencies and/or duplication of effort, whenever possible web authors should link to existing material, rather than repost the same information.

Unofficial Web Page Standards

a. Faculty, staff or student organizations, as well as individual members of the college community, may wish to post unofficial web pages containing material that is not already included on any of the official college pages.

b. Unofficial web pages must display the following disclaimer

This is an unofficial web page and the views expressed here are those of the author, who is solely responsible for the content. The opinions expressed on this page do not necessarily represent the views of Contra Costa College.

c. It is the responsibility of the unofficial web page author to conform to all relevant laws, including copyright and trademark regulations, as well as applicable college rules and regulations.

d. Unofficial web pages must be in good taste and must not be in conflict with the college mission statement or beliefs as stated in the “What we Believe” section of the college catalog and other official college publications as appropriate.

e. Unofficial web pages cannot contain a personal business or commercial enterprise.

f. If it is determined by the college that an unofficial web page does not comply with any of the web-publishing guidelines, the page may be immediately removed from the system. The web page author will be notified and given an opportunity to modify the page and/or to appeal the decision.

Additional Web Page Standards

a. ADA compliance

1. Include Alt Tag information for graphics (to comply with ADA legislation)

2. Avoid use of links such as: “Click Here”. Link names should represent the name of what they are linked to.

3. Check each completed web page with Bobbie, or similar software, to determine ADA compliance.

b. Existing web pages published prior to these guidelines\

1. A substantial number of pages have been published prior to the adoption of these guidelines. These pages should be reviewed and/or modified to ensure that they conform to all appropriate guidelines, policies and applicable laws.

c. Copyright ownership

1. The college retains ownership of the copyright for all material published on the official web site.

Prepared by Roger Polk,

7-26-2001, version 2