Web Content Policy, KFUPM

Web Content Policy

University Relations & Community Outreach (URCO)

Created: / November, 2016
Last updated: / November, 2016
Version: / Draft
Author: /
Khurram Saeed,
Manager, Digital Services, URCO
Reviewer: /
Dr. Ashraf E. Al-Fagih,
Supervisor, University Relations & Community Outreach

Purpose

The University website is an important and first touch point for public who seeks information about King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM). Our Visitors, Students, Faculty and Staff rely on KFUPM websites for information and services. The accuracy and timeliness of information directly impacts the integrity and reputation of the University. The purpose of the Web Content Policy is to define the University’s position with respect to acceptable and accessible content.

Scope

This policy applies to all KFUPM employees who contribute content to the KFUPM web presence.Content includes but is not limited to: text, layout, video, audio and graphics.

Exclusions

This policy does not apply to:

Courseware, including scholarly work, student work and learning and teaching materials websites that have no relationship to KFUPM (for example, personal or private sites).

Objectives

  1. To ensure that content across the KFUPM web presence meets the expectations of its audience
  2. To support web publishing activities across the University throughout the content life cycle
  3. To define role and responsibilities of individuals and sectors to take ownership of web content
  4. To provide a single source of relevant, accessible, up-to-date and compelling content about KFUPM

Policy provisions

  1. Planning web content

1.1.User-centered content

KFUPM web content must be written and presented according to online audience expectation. User segments of KFUPM’s web presence include prospective students, parents, current students, faculty, alumni, staff, affiliates and partners. Content must serve both international and domestic audiences.

1.2.Content Ownership

In order to make content up-to-date, relevant, accessible and compelling, Content Owners are accountable for the content published on their respective websites. Content owners ensure that the content they produce,complies with web standards, accessibility and copyright.

  1. Creating Web Content
  2. Content Types

Web editors must structure their content according to the Content Type Instruction to ensure that new content is searchable, accommodated within the information architecture and used effectively across websites, channels and devices.

2.2.Content Authoring

Only University-approved web editors, who are conversant with required English and Arabic language writing skillsas well as operate according to Brand (Visual Identity) Guideline,can publish content on University websites.

Public Relations & Information Departmentcan be contactedfor further guidance and necessary support of content translation, quality review and proof reading.

2.3.Metadata standards

When preparing information for the KFUPM website, web editors must follow the metadata schema endorsed by the Metadata Procedure.

This schema supports the KFUPM content management system’s dynamic functionality, ensuring content is fed to its appropriate location on a web page. Poorly applied metadata not only compromises content integrity but also hinders users when searching for information.

2.4.Cross-channel dissemination

The University website is considered as a first official source of information for online audience, KFUPM’s content management system serves as a central point from which content can be disseminated to multiple channels, devices and audiences.

The Social Media Policy provides direction for web editors to enhance the reachability ofonline material using social media networks. The relevant content can be used for KFUPM's official social media networks for conveying consistent 'message' to wider group of target audience.

2.5.Web Standards

Written content must be perceivable and understandable to all users, including those using assistive technologies.

Images, video, audio and animated content must be perceivable and understandable to all users. Include an alternate method of conveying meaning beyond the visual representation (e.g. captions/subtitles) to ensure that those using assistive technologies can correctly interpret the image.

Furthermore, images used on websites must be aligned with following standards:

1. Use images for the appropriate purpose

  • Images on the KFUPM web presence need to have a communication function related to the content with which they appear.
  • Images depicting KFUPM students, staff and locations are preferred to images that are not specific to KFUPM.

2. Ensure that images are of sufficient quality

3. Apply the KFUPM'svisual brand identity correctly

Content Owners must review web links on respective websites regularly and may be removed for any of the following reasons:

  • The link no longer points to the original information or resource to which it was intended to point;
  • The Web site contains inaccurate or misleading information or has changed such that it is no longer in compliance with the acceptance criteria;
  • The Web site is permanently unreachable or remains unavailable for a lengthy period.

2.6.Accessibility standards

Content standards of accessibility ensure an inclusive web experience and access by the widest possible audience, including those with disabilities. Our standards are based on the internationally recognized Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) produced by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).Web pages and all content should be easily rendered by a wide variety of web browsers.

2.7.Copyright

Content on KFUPM University websites must conform to copyright laws. Written permission is required from the owner of copyrighted content before copyrighted information can be placed on University website.

2.8.Privacy

Protect user privacy and handle personal information responsibly. We should be conscientious regarding any personal data that we collect, including how we collect, store, use, or share them, all of which should be done pursuant to the UniversityPrivacy Policy, laws and IT policies.Ensure that personalinformation, photographs or other intellectual property is not published on public websites without due authorization.

  1. Maintaining Web Content
  2. Content lifecycle

Outdated information on a web page might affect brand and repute of the University.When managing and maintaining content, web editors must follow the stages described as below:

  1. Develop
  2. Manage
  3. Evaluate/Decommission

It is responsibility of the Content Owner to conduct periodic content review exercise for either updating ordecommissioningthe old content from KFUPM website, where it is necessary.

Failure to adhere to these standards will cause the web presence to accumulate large quantities of irrelevant data, which can hinder searches and compromise the web presence’s role as a single source of truth.

3.2.Compliance

University Relations & Community Outreach (URCO) department reserves the right to monitor the use of resources provided and/or managed by the University for the purposes of determining adherence to this Policy. Monitoring will be performed in accordance web content policy.

Public Relations & Information Unit of URCO will continue oversight of this policy and may take necessary action.

Contacts:

University Relations & Community Outreach
Manager, Digital Services,
7thFloor, Building 21, KFUPM
Email:
Phone: (013) 860 8811
Fax: (013) 860 8822

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