Standards

The following are management, design, content, navigation, accessibility, and usability standards for Montclair State University Web sites:

Policies

General

All aspects of Montclair State’s Web presence represent official communications from the University to the public, and all content must adhere to University policies and standards, FERPA, and all local, state, federal, and international laws.

Web pages and sites must comply with the University brand and Identity, may not violate University policies and standards, or local, state, federal or international laws, and are subject to editing or removal by Web Services. Web pages must adhere to the Montclair State University code of conduct, and all copyright rules and restrictions, in accordance with the University’s standards and requirements, and as stated in the Student’s Code of Conduct, Employee Handbook, and the Faculty Handbook. Additionally, all Web sites must comply with all applicable rules, regulations and laws under the University’s Guidelines for Responsible Computing.

Servers, Domain Names, and Web Applications

Official University Web sites are hosted on the Montclair State University web server cluster. Separate domain names, or off-site hosting, may not be purchased. Requests for domain names, as well as all Web application development for the University Web site, must be approved by Web Services and OIT Systems and Security. No purchases of third-party software will be approved prior to review.

Server Access

Misuse of server access will result in removal of server privileges and any other appropriate action based on University policies and procedures.

Access to web directories and the content management system for page construction and editing is limited to University NetID login.

Navigation

A Web site’s navigation and site map must be considered in totality before construction and should be reviewed regularly.

Content management system (CSM) users who choose to alter virtual file names may only use letters and numbers and may not contain spaces or other special characters.

For pages not yet transitioned into the CMS must follow the previous version of our navigation standards:

Initial pages in all directories should have the filename, “index.” Subdirectories should be created to organize the site structure and meet W3 directory standards for optimum navigation. Plan ahead for subdirectory organization of files and filenames so URLs don’t change, thus breaking any links to that page or bookmark. Use identifiable words rather than acronyms. Update existing pages using the same filename. Only include dates in filenames if two files with the same content need to be available simultaneously. Otherwise, do not use dates in filenames as they cause links to expire when the filename changes.

Links

Link colors and styles are defined in the templates and may not be altered.

Links to pages not on the Montclair State Web site must open in a new window or tab via the “target” attribute. Links to other pages within the Montclair State Web site should not open in a new window or tab.  Links to pages on other Web sites must refer to pages that are specifically related to Montclair State University.

Do not use images maps for multiple links attached to one page.

Content

Define your audience and develop your content and page structure to meet their needs. All content should comply with University Editorial Style and Usage Guidelines. 

• For long pages attempt to summarize the content in the first paragraph. 
• Do not use all caps or justified paragraphs. 
• Use heading tags to organize content by subject.
• Use ordered or unordered lists instead of comma-separated lists. 
• Spell out “Montclair State University” for the first reference.  Consequent references should be one of the following: Montclair State University, Montclair State, or the University.
• Management (Dean’s or VP’s office) is responsible for approving content.
• Content review and link verification should be done at least twice a year.

Curriculum information posted on department Web sites must be dynamically linked to the University Catalog.

The University News System is the official tool for publishing news, announcements, alerts, etc. and the University Events Calendar is the official tool for announcing events. (See the Tools section of this site for further information.)

Links to Faculty and Staff Profile pages must be included in pages that list Faculty/Staff.  Faculty and staff members may not use the department or college web site for personal or biographical pages – instead faculty and staff members must use the web space provided by OIT via NetDrive.

University Identification and Use of Logos

All Web pages must adhere to Montclair State University logo policies. This includes the proper use of the Montclair State logo as established by University Communications. Logos of other institutions or companies must be smaller than the Montclair State logo and may only be linked if the link is to a specific Web page directly related to information about a service or affiliation to Montclair State provided by the institution or company.

Design and Page Construction

A page’s design must be constructed to convey the content of the page.

All pages and sites must adhere to the University templates and styles without alteration. Font sizes should not be set manually. Instead, heading tags (H1-H6) and paragraphs (P) should be used to appropriately describe content and the template CSS will determine font sizes automatically.

Use bold text (<b> tag or <strong> tag) to highlight salient details. A good rule-of-thumb is to bold the main “point” of a paragraph. Use italics (<i> tag or <em> tag)to impart an insistent tone of voice.

Blink and Underline tags must not be used.

Images and Media

Images must be appropriate, free of copyright restrictions (attribution must be provided when necessary), cropped and sized properly for Web use. Image maps that create multiple links on one image must not be used.  

Use official Montclair State University images from the University Photogallery. However, stock images from the University Communications Graphic Design area or professional grade images may be employed if necessary.

University Web-gallery tools must be used for all Web page slide shows and Flash animation. Alternate Flash animation and multi-media projects must be coordinated with Web Services.

All images must have alternate text (alt tags) attached.

Use of interactivity and animation must be appropriate.

Accessibility

All pages must adhere to the standards set forth under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and meet section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act regulations and policies.

Alternative text to non-text content must be provided.

Background, foreground, text and link colors must impair usability.

All functionality must be available via keyboard navigation or a keyboard navigable alternative must be supplied. Pages can be tested for accessibility at: wave.webaim.org.

Pages should be tested on both PC and Mac platforms and on multiple versions of Web browsers – Internet Explorer [for PC], Firefox [for PC and Mac], Chrome [PC and Mac], and Safari [Mac].  If possible test pages on alternate web-accessible platforms such as smartphones and tablets.