Policy 904.1 | Michigan Tech Senate

UNIVERSITY WEB PAGE POLICY
(Proposal 6-99)

Senate Policy 904.1

1. Publishing a Web Page at Michigan Tech
Use of the World Wide Web, Internet, e-mail, and other electronic/computing communications is
subject to existing University policies (e.g., harrassment, discrimination, etc.). Individuals,
departments, colleges, schools, and student organizations should become familiar with
University policies concerning the appropriate use of computers and the Michigan Tech network
as well as applicable state and federal laws. This section provides helpful guidelines for anyone
publishing a web page at Michigan Technological University.

1.1 Page Identification

All web pages on any server at Michigan Tech should identify who the page belongs to:
administrative or academic unit, student organization or individual student, faculty or staff
member.

1.2 Copyrighted materials

No one should place any materials owned by others (i.e., copyrighted works, trademarks or
protected material) on a web page without the expressed permission of the owner. Examples
are: cartoons, articles, photographs, songs, software, graphics scanned in from published works
or other web pages. It is suggested to link to and give credit to a relevant web page rather than
copy material from it.

Assume materials found on the World Wide Web are copyrighted unless a disclaimer or waiver
is expressly stated. Questions regarding copyright and fair use should be directed to the J.R.
Van Pelt Library. The Van Pelt Library web site has a copyright information page (on the web at
www.lib.mtu.edu). Contact the Assistant Director for Research Services at 487-3208 or send email
to tspence@mtu.edu for further assistance.

1.3 University Name and Logos

The complete name of the University is Michigan Technological University. It may be shortened
to Michigan Tech. The names of the University and its accompanying visual marks have been
licensed. By following the established guidelines, we can promote the University, what it stands
for, and who it represents in a positive manner. We will also be able to maintain and control the
respectability and credibility of the University and the quality of its reputation.

Organizations recognized by the University may use the name and symbols of the University on
their web pages. Scanned versions of the symbols may suffer from poor quality, therefore image
files should be downloaded directly from the logo download page (on the web at
www.mtu.edu/wwwhelp). The logos may not be defaced, distorted or shown in parts nor should
they be reduced so much that image details become broken. Other restrictions are covered in
the Trademark Licensing Program (on the web at www.admin.mtu.edu/rgs/ip_tl).

Individuals may identify themselves as a student, alumnus or employee of Michigan
Technological University; however, University symbols may not be used in such a way as to
suggest that personal pages are official University pages, nor may University symbols be used
in such a way as to imply sponsorship or endorsement. The University reserves the right to take
action against any use that does not conform to this policy.

Individuals, organizations, and businesses not affiliated with the University may not use any of
the registered symbols without prior written permission from the University. Apply for permission
with the Intellectual Property Administration, Michigan Technological University, or call for more
information at 906-487-2228.

1.4 Links to the Michigan Tech University Home Page

The Michigan Tech University Home Page is a gateway to the many WWW sites at Michigan
Technological University. Responsibility for this page is shared by the departments of
Information Technology and University Relations at Michigan Tech.

Web pages for administrative departments, academic departments, and recognized student
organizations should be linked to this Michigan Tech Home Page. All these pages should have
a contact person responsible for content and committed to keeping the web page up to date.
Servers should be stable and kept running twenty-four hours a day.

Individual or personal pages will not be included as links from the Michigan Tech Home Page.
Individual home pages of students, staff, and faculty may be linked within the structure of their
department web pages.

1.5 Privacy of Student Records

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law which is designed to
protect the privacy of a student's educational records. The Act prohibits the release of student
data such as grades to persons other than authorized University officials without the student's
written consent. A web page should not contain any student scores or grades in association
with names, student identification numbers or portions thereof, or other personal identifiers. If
scores or grades are posted, a code known only to the instructor and the individual student
should be used.

At Michigan Technological University, the student information which is considered public or
directory information is defined in the form of a Public Notice. Students may request that no
directory information be released by completing a request through the Public Safety Office. The
University's Associate Registrar is the custodian of student academic information and should be
contacted at (906) 487-2320 for any questions.

For more information regarding privacy and confidentiality please visit the Office of Student
Records and Registration website (on the web at www.admin.mtu.edu/em).

1.6 MTU Network Services

Reselling or redistributing network services provided by the Michigan Tech network to
individuals or organizations not affiliated with Michigan Tech is not permitted.

For faculty and staff, policies regarding use of Michigan Tech facilities are described in the
Michigan Tech Conflict of Interest Policy. Copies are available from the Conflict of Interest
Coordinator or Research Services (contact at 487-2225).

1.7 Threats and other Prohibited Uses of Web Pages

Threatening another person is prohibited by University policy. This policy applies to electronic
communications including web pages. Also web pages may not be used to commit fraudulent
behavior, misappropriate someone else's identity or incite others to commit illegal acts.

1.8 Faculty, Staff and Student Home Pages

Subject to available resources, departments are encouraged to provide space for students,
faculty and staff members to develop home pages. Use of the World Wide Web is a valuable
educational and communication tool. However, all home pages are subject to all University
policies and state and federal laws.

All policies for students documented in the Michigan Tech Student Handbook (on the web at
www.mtu.edu/studenthandbook) apply to electronic communications including web pages. For
students, failing to follow Michigan Tech policy can lead to discipline up to and including
possible expulsion from the university. All policies for faculty documented in the Michigan Tech
Faculty Handbook apply to electronic communications including web pages. For faculty and
staff, failing to follow Michigan Tech policies can lead to discipline up to and including possible
termination.

2. Departments and Organizations Publishing Web Pages at Michigan Tech

The functional requirements listed in this section are set to ensure that use of the Michigan Tech
Web is as straightforward as possible for users without stifling creativity and the needs of
individual departments.

2.1 Required for School, College and Department Web Pages

The term department below is understood to be any administrative or academic unit at Michigan
Tech. The University Relations office should be contacted to review new department home
pages for consistency of message and readability. Send e-mail with the URL's of pages to be
reviewed to the Michigan Tech Webmaster (webmaster@mtu.edu).

Michigan Tech web policy requires the following for department web pages:

a link to the Michigan Tech Home Page. The reason for this is many people will come to
the page from off-campus sites without ever having passed through the Michigan Tech
Home Page. A link to the Michigan Tech Home Page will help them learn more about the
University.
a link to the main department home page from any other department web pages such as
learning centers, instructional and program information pages.
a date the page was last updated. A date helps visitors know the information on the page
is checked and up to date. For time critical material such as course information, faculty
and staff lists, rate sheets, hours of operation for labs, a page expiration date should be
used.
a valid e-mail address for visitors to send comments and feedback. Such feedback is one
way to learn if a web page is reaching the desired audience and to find out if web pages
appear successfully on other browsers. It is especially convenient if the e-mail address is
a "mailto:" link.
the address and telephone number of the department. Reason: Readers may want to
contact the department by mail or phone instead of e-mail.
disclaimer for links to department member home pages. Directory web pages which lead
to any self-maintained home pages of students, staff and faculty should be preceded by
the following:

This is to notify you that the material you are accessing is not an official web page of Michigan
Technological University or the xx department. Michigan Tech is not responsible, and hereby
disclaims all liability for any data, information, or opinions contained in unofficial web pages. Any
comments related to the contents of personal home pages should be directed to the author of
the pages.

Note: department web pages should not give the appearance of endorsing commercial products
or services.

2.2 Student Organizations

Any student organization registered with the Office of Student Affairs may have a home page
linked to the Michigan Tech Home Page. All policies for student organizations documented in
the Michigan Tech Student Handbook apply to electronic communications, including web pages.

As an Internet provider, it is the University's policy to terminate the accounts of repeat infringers
as defined by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998.

Adopted by Senate: November 4, 1998
Administration proposed amendments: January 25, 2000
Amendments adopted by Senate: January 26, 2000
Approved by President: February 17, 2000
Replaced MTU with Michigan Tech per university policy: 28 January 2014