New website creation policies and procedures

Recommendations will typically be one or more of the following offerings:

  1. UM-Dearborn Drupal (i.e., content as part of our main university’s website)

  2. UM-Dearborn Drupal siteroot (i.e., content as part of our main university’s website but on its own “branch,” like College of Business)

  3. Google Sites (non-branded)

  4. Blogger as part of U-M Google (e.g., the Deans’ blogs)

  5. Hosting on UM-Dearborn without use of the domain name umdearborn.edu (e.g., a university-related, separate initiative, like michigandifferencemakers.com)

  6. Hosting on UM-Dearborn on a different supported platform with use of the domain name umdearborn.edu (e.g., a website supporting specific faculty research, like research.umdearborn.edu/urise). These would also be subject to ITS governance.

  7. Hosting off UM-Dearborn without use of the domain name umdearborn.edu (e.g., a website for a student project)

  8. Social media (e.g., Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, etc.)

  9. VictorsLink

  10. Canvas

  11. Course Catalog

Sites in Options 3-6 are subject to review, approval, and semesterly renewal. Sites in Option 5 fall under the governance of ITS.

The existence of a website and/or application does not guarantee its approval and inclusion in UM-Dearborn’s ecosystem. Web Services should be contacted early in the process.

Generally, Web Services and ITS provide support for the following. All requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

TypeSubdomainHostingTheming (UM-Dearborn colors)**Theming (UM-Dearborn branding & logo)**
Recognized centers, institutes and labsyesyesyesyes
Special projects & initiativescase-by-casecase-by-casecase-by-casecase-by-case
Faculty researchcase-by-casecase-by-casecase-by-casecase-by-case
Student organizations (USOs)*yesyesyesyes
Student organizations (RSOs)nonoyesno
Student organizations (non-recognized)nononono
Blogsnocase-by-casecase-by-caseno
Student projectsnoyesnono
Faculty personal sitesnoyesnono

 

Note: Users with social media and/or blogs should work with our Social Media Specialist for advice on comments.

Note: All sites on our subdomain need to meet WCAG AA standards for accessibility.

Note: Blogger is available as part of the U-M Google Suite. However, from a content strategy perspective, we’ve found that blogs are hard to maintain over time and difficult to generate traffic to. Social media may be a better option.

*Note: University-sponsored student organizations can have a logo and theme, but Web Services doesn't currently have the capability to support a CMS template for these organizations.

**Note: As of September 2018, Web Services does not offer non-Drupal website templates that are in line with university brand standards. We are happy to advise and review sites for branding.