Detailed Standards

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

Management:

1. Official University Web sites are hosted on the Montclair State University web server.
2. Separate domain names may not be purchased for hosting off-site. Requests for domain names, to be hosted on Montclair State servers, must be made through Web Services and OIT Systems and Security.
3. When it becomes available, offical University Web sites must be transitioned to and managed in the University's CMS system.
4. Content managers must log in with their own NetID and password, not a generic or shared username and password.
5. All pages on the Montclair State Web site represent official communications from the University to the public, and therefore all content must adhere to University policies and standards - including FERPA and the University's Guidelines for Responsible Computing - and all local, state, federal and international law.
6. Adherence to the Montclair State University code of conduct, and to all copyright rules and restriction on the use of written, graphical, video and audio materials and data, in accordance with the University's standards and requirements for acknowledgment of sources in academic work, and as stated in the Student's Code of Conduct and the Faculty Handbook, must be met in all aspects of the Montclair State University Web presence.
7. All Web pages are subject to Web Services Standards regarding both content and technical structure and are subject to editing or removal by Web Services.

Content:

1. Define your audience and construct your content and page structure to meet their needs.
2. Write for the Web, not print.
1. For long pages, attempt to summarize the content in the first paragraph.
2. Use HTML headings (H1 - H6) to organize pages into topics and sub-topics
3. Use ordered or unordered lists instead of comma-separated lists.
4. Try not to be wordy, and stay on message.
3. All content should observe standards set forth by University Editorial Style and Usage Guidelines, and properly reviewed and approved by appropriate management.
4. Use "Montclair State University" for first reference. Consequent references should be one of the following: Montclair State University, Montclair State or University
5. Use bold to highlight salient details. Use italics to add emphasis or an urgent tone.
6. Do not copy content from Microsoft Word. It bring extra unnecessary and often hazardous code with it.
7. Do not alter or amend the template CSS definitions.
8. The Blink and Underline tags should not be used.
9. Curriculum information posted on department Web sites should be dynamically linked to the University Catalog. (See University Catalog under the Tools section of this site.)
10. Links to Faculty and Staff Profile pages should be included on all pages that list faculty and staff. (See Faculty and Staff Profiles Pages under the Tools section of this site.)
11. The University News System is the official tool for publishing news, announcements, alerts, etc. (See University News System under the Tools section of this site.)
12. The University Events Calendar is the official tool for announcing events. (See University Events Calendar on the Tools section of the site.)

University Identification and Use of Logos

1. All Web pages must adhere to Montclair State University logo policies. This includes:
1. The proper use of the Montclair State logo as established by University Communications, Office of Graphic Design.
2. 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 that institution or company.
3. Links to pages off the Montclair State Web site should open in a new window or tab via the "target" attribute.

Navigation

1. A Web site's navigation and site map must be considered in totality before construction and should be reviewed regularly.
2. Content management system (CMS) users who choose to alter virtual file names may only use letters and numbers and may not use spaces or other special characters.

The following rules apply for sites not currently using the CMS:

1. Initial pages in all main and subdirectories should have the filename "index." IE:  the subdirectory "/webservices/standards/" should have as its initial page the filename "index.html" or "index.php."
2. Subdirectories should be created to organize the site structure and meet W3 directory standards for optimum navigation.
3. Organize the files and directories to conform to navigation.  IE:  a link titled "About Us" should match a directory name "aboutus."
4. Update existing pages using the same filename.  Do not include dates in filenames as they cause links to expire when the file name changes.  IE:  catalog.html, not catalog08.html.
5. Keep URLs clear and direct. Use identifiable words rather than acronyms.
6. Plan ahead for subdirectory organization of files and filenames so your URLs don't change, thereby breaking any links to that page or bookmarks. This also affects any print publication of that URL.

Links

1. Links to pages not on the Montclair State Web site should 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.
2. Links should use descriptive wording such as "Online Application" and not "Click Here" in order to ensure proper search indexing.
3. Graphics that are links should have alternate text (Alt Tags) attached, for ADA accessibility.
4. Link colors may not be altered from the template CSS.
5. Before you change links or remove pages/directories inform the Webmaster - and if appropriate the campus community - so that links to the old pages and directories can be removed as well.

Accessibility

1. All pages must adhere to the standards set forth through the American Disabilities Act and meet Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act regulations and policies.
2. Provide alternative text to non-text content.
3. Text, link, and background colors are established by the site templates and may not be altered. In order to ensure legibility for users with a wide array of visual ability fonts should be sized and contrasted appropriately.
4. All functionality must be available via keyboard navigation or a keyboard navigable alternative must be supplied. Test pages via: Wave.webaim.org
5. Pages should be tested on both PC, Mac, and mobile platforms; multiple versions of Web browsers - Internet Explorer (for PC), Firefox (for PC and Mac) and Safari (Mac). If you do not have access to these platforms please contact Web Services for testing.

Design and Page Construction

1. All aspects of the University Web presence should use the established templates and structures set forth by Web Services.
2. No alterations to the template structure or CSS may be made.
3. All pages should adhere to the fonts and colors specified in the University's page template.  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.
4. Pages should follow xhtml standards including closing all open tags.  IE: <p></p>
5. All Page Titles (Title Bars) must begin with "Montclair State University – " and include specific identity.  IE:  "Montclair State University – Web Services."

Images and Media

1. All images should be appropriate, and cropped and sized properly for Web use.  It is strongly encouraged that official Montclair State University images from the University Photogallery be used.  If not, professional grade images, appropriately obtained, should be used.
2. 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.
3. All images must have alternate text (alt tags) attached.
4. Use of interactivity and animation must be appropriate and should never impair the user experience.