F/1.4 Policy on web pages and web servers

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1.4.1 General principles
1.4.2 Definitions
1.4.3 Web Governance Framework
1.4.4 Management of web pages and servers
1.4.5 Standards for material on web pages and web servers
1.4.6 Copyright issues associated with web publication
Related Documents
Modification History

1.4.1 General principles

The web is recognised as an important medium for

• learning and teaching and the provision of a flexible delivery medium for QUT courses;
• administrative interactions between QUT and its students/staff via the QUT Virtual portal;
• QUT marketing communication via the University's public web site.

All material placed on University web servers reflects on the University, and must identify the University in accordance with QUT's corporate identity standards. Websites used for teaching and learning must also comply with on-line teaching standards for appropriate presentation and management.

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1.4.2 Definitions

A "web page" is a file which can be displayed within a Web browser. The page may incorporate any combination of text, graphics and other media as appropriate, and may use hypertext links to move between its different parts and other Web pages. Each web page has an address called a Uniform Resource Locator or URL.

The " QUT home page " is the default web page directly accessible via the top level QUT uniform resource locator < http://www.qut.edu.au/ >

A "web server" is a computer that is always connected to the internet. It runs web server software that waits for browsers to request web pages from it. Each web server has a domain name (eg. qut.edu.au) that browsers use to locate the web server.

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1.4.3 Web Governance Framework

All organisational unit web pages and servers must be governed in accordance with the University's Web Governance Framework . Compliance with the Framework is the responsibility of the relevant executive dean of faculty, head of division or institute director.

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1.4.4 Management of web pages and servers

Web pages

All organisational unit home pages must include a link to the QUT home page. All organisational unit web pages must link to the organisational unit's home page.

All organisational unit home pages, web pages and unit or course home pages used for teaching and learning must

• stay within QUT's infrastructure (ie on servers hosted by QUT). Exceptions must be approved in writing by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Technology, Information and Learning Support);
• use the qut.edu.au or qut.com domains. Exceptions must be approved in writing by the Director, Marketing and Communication;
• follow corporate identity, accessibility and other standards as outlined in the QUT Web Manual . Exceptions must be approved in writing by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Technology, Information and Learning Support) in consultation with the Director, Marketing and Communication;
• include the University's CRICOS provider number in page footer information as a minimum requirement. The standard usage is "CRICOS No. 00213J" (refer to CRICOS guide );
• in the case of unit or course home pages used for teaching and learning, follow standards issued by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Technology, Information and Learning Support) for on-line teaching and learning sites.

Information indicating:

• the officer responsible for the material published on QUT web pages
• contact details for the relevant web master
• date of last review

should be recorded as metadata on the relevant web page.

Web servers

University web servers, including the principal University web server, web servers connected to the internet via the University, and web servers having a University internet address, may only be connected to the internet according to formal procedures as authorised from time to time by the Director, Information Technology Services.

The Director, Information Technology Services, may

• amend or remove from a web server any material which does not conform with legal requirements, the Information Facilities Rules or University policy, or which reflects adversely on the University, or is outdated;
• disconnect from the internet any web server which does not conform to this policy, or reflects adversely on the University; or
• remove or alter any files or material or disconnect any server which weakens network security or attracts so much network or internet traffic as to degrade network performance.

All web servers visible from outside the University must be designed to provide continuous service, and this requires adequate supervision and backup.

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1.4.5 Standards for material on web pages and web servers

All material placed on University web servers reflects on the University, and the University must be identifiable in accordance with Corporate Identity standards .

A person placing material on a University web server is responsible for

• the accuracy of the material;
• the spelling, grammar, presentation and appearance of the material;
• maintenance of the University's professional image;
• ensuring that the material remains up-to-date by reviewing the material as appropriate and at least once every six months;
• maintenance of links to ensure as far as possible that inactive or dead links, or links to incomplete material, are not included; and
• ensuring that the material conforms to University policy on the standards for material on University web servers as issued by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Technology, Information and Learning Support) from time to time.

Material placed on web servers must be related to University functions or activities, or otherwise approved by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Technology, Information and Learning Support). Information appearing on a University web page which is not related to a University function or activity must be clearly differentiated from official information and must state the person responsible for the information.

Only one version of any official University document or policy should exist on a University web page or web server. Any other references should be by a link to the original document, rather than by reproducing a copy, so that a single, definitive version is accessed.

Paid advertising by external organisations (ie an external advertiser's message or logo) on University web pages is not permitted. However, where a broader sponsorship arrangement exists with an external organisation, this may be acknowledged by QUT in text (no external logos) on the appropriate University web page/s. In these situations, the sponsor's name in the text may provide a hyperlink to the organisation's website or to more information about QUT's relationship with the organisation. Any exceptions to this policy must be approved by the Director, Marketing and Communication.

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1.4.6 Copyright issues associated with web publication

Material in which QUT does not own the copyright must be made available via QUT web pages and servers only in accordance with relevant Australian Government legislation and QUT's copyright policy (see F/5.1 ). Specifically, this means that it is provided through one of the following channels

• material available under statutory licence and identified as such;
• material available by direct contract (licence) with the copyright owner through the QUT Library;
• material available by specific and documented permission of the copyright owner.

The key determinants of the appropriate channel are the purpose for which the material is made available, the type of material, and the restrictions on access to the site. For further guidance, refer to the QUT Copyright Guide .

" Take down " procedures for material which infringes copyright

To adequately address copyright infringement risks in the context of content on University web pages and web servers, the Director, Information Technology Services, in conjunction with the Copyright Officer, has responsibility for implementing appropriate take down procedures for infringing material and for responding to a take down notice or complaint by copyright owners or others about infringing material.

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Related Documents

MOPP F/2.1 QUT Corporate identity policy

MOPP F/5.1 Copyright policy

MOPP Appendix 1(c) - Information Facilities Rules

QUT Web Manual

QUT Web Governance Framework

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Modification History

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