19.04 / University Websites

Effective: July 24, 2003Last Revised: August 17, 2026

  1. Initiating Authority

    1. Chief Information Officer serves as the initiating authority for this policy.

  2. Purpose

    1. The increased usage of the Internet and Websites as convenient and productive means of communicating information and as vehicles to relay and receive information requires that policies be developed to govern and enhance such usage relative to Websites and servers affiliated with the University. The purpose of this policy is to set forth the University’s requirements and restrictions for using Websites and servers affiliated with the University.

  3. Policy

    1. Official University Websites

      1. Official University Websites must be hosted and maintained on University Servers, unless the University’s Chief Information Officer and the Chief Information Security Officer approve a non-University Server or service to host an Official University Website in accordance with the procedures of this policy.
      2. Official University Websites must use the University’s registered domain name of wichita.edu or a Nonstandard Domain Name that has been approved in accordance with Policy 19.21 / University Domain Names.
      3. No information or data classified as “WSU Private Data” or a higher level of sensitivity classification under Policy 19.20 / Data Sensitivity Classification shall be posted to Official University Websites without explicit authorization from the designated data owner.
      4. Official University Websites must comply with all applicable accessibility requirements, including, but not limited to: (1) The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended (ADA); (2) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; (3) Title II of the ADA and its implementing regulations, including the Department of Justice regulations governing accessibility of web content and mobile applications, as amended from time to time; (4) any applicable state laws and regulations governing accessibility of information technology and digital communications; and (5) all applicable University policies, standards, procedures, and technical requirements governing digital accessibility.

    2. Unofficial Websites

      1. The views and opinions expressed on Unofficial Websites are strictly those of the site author/creator. Unofficial Websites shall in no way create the impression that they represent the views and opinions of the State of Kansas, the Kansas Board of Regents, or Wichita State University.
      2. The University reserves the right to require an Employee to display the following disclaimer on their Unofficial Website if, in the University’s sole discretion, the Unofficial Website contains statements or information that could be reasonably construed as an expression of views or opinions of the University, or an official statement or act of the University:

        Disclaimer of Official Status

        This Unofficial Website is created and maintained by [insert contact information]. The views and opinions expressed on this site are strictly those of the site author/creator and in no way represent the views and opinions of the State of Kansas, the Kansas Board of Regents, or Wichita State University.

      3. Unofficial Websites are the sole and exclusive responsibility of the author/creator. The University is under no obligation to promote, maintain, or link to Unofficial Websites, and Unofficial Websites may be blocked from University Systems if they become a security risk to the University.
      4. Unofficial Websites hosted by third-party webservice providers shall not be used as an alternative to an Official University Website for conveying or carrying out University business.
      5. No information or data classified as “WSU Private Data” or a higher level of sensitivity classification under Policy 19.20 / Data Sensitivity Classification shall be posted to Unofficial Websites without explicit authorization from the designated data owner.

    3. Hosting of Unofficial Websites on University Servers

      1. The University does not host Unofficial Websites on its University Servers, unless the University’s Chief Information Officer and the Chief Information Security Officer have approved an exception for the Unofficial Website, taking into consideration all governing laws, regulations, and policies and any other security and/or compliance risks.
      2. Exceptions for hosting Unofficial Websites on University Servers will only be considered under the following circumstances:
        1. The University may consider hosting Websites for external entities such as professional associations, consortiums and/or academic or professional journals when the external entity has a relationship with the University that supports the University's mission. Such a relationship may be demonstrated by one or more of the following criteria:
          1. The University is a member of the external entity;
          2. The external entity is an organization of which a member of the University faculty or staff is a member, and the appropriate department chair, director or vice president approves the hosting as being in support of the University's mission;
          3. The University has a contractual obligation for the hosting of a Website for the external entity; or
          4. The President of the University or the President's designee determines that it is appropriate for the University to host that entity's Website.
        2. The University may consider hosting Websites related to the professional activities of faculty, staff, student groups, or Non-Controlled Affiliated Organizations when such Websites further the mission of the University. Written approval for outside employment covering the professional activity must be on file with the appropriate vice president, if applicable, as a component of the approval process for the Website.

    4. Use of Marks, Logos and the University Seal

      1. University marks, logos and the University seal may be used on Official University Websites in accordance with Policy 20.11 / Use of the University's Name, Seal, Logos or Marks.
      2. University marks, logos and the University seal shall not be used on Unofficial Websites without permission in accordance with Policy 20.11 / Use of the University's Name, Seal, Logos or Marks.

    5. Compliance

      1. All Official University Websites, and Unofficial Websites hosted on University Servers or connected to University Systems, must comply with all governing rules, policies, procedures or regulations of the University and the Kansas Board of Regents, and all local, state, and federal laws and regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, as applicable.
      2. Website owners shall review the content of their Websites annually, at a minimum, to ensure compliance with all governing rules, policies, procedures or regulations of the University and the Kansas Board of Regents, including this policy, and all local, state, and federal laws and regulations.

  4. Enforcement

    1. The University maintains final and absolute discretion with regard to what appears on or in connection with Official University Websites, and Unofficial Websites that are maintained or accessed on University Servers.
    2. Websites that fail to comply with applicable federal, state or local law, or any rules, policies, procedures or regulations of the University and the Kansas Board of Regents, including content, privacy, accessibility, and security requirements, may be immediately suspended, blocked, shut down and/or removed by the University.
    3. The University will take appropriate action in response to any Website, regardless of host, that uses University marks, logos, or seals without authorization, or that creates the false impression that it represents the views and opinions of the University. Further information on use of the University’s name or marks may be found in Policy 20.11 / Use of the University's Name, Seal, Logos or Marks.
    4. Employees who violate this policy may be denied further access to University computing and information technology resources and may be subject to corrective action.
    5. The University may temporarily suspend, block or restrict access to an account when it reasonably appears appropriate or necessary to do so to protect the integrity, security or functionality of University computing and information technology resources or to protect the University from liability.
    6. The University may also refer suspected violations of applicable law to appropriate law enforcement or investigative agencies.
    7. Enforcement of this policy shall be the responsibility of the Chief Information Officer and Information Security.

  5. Definitions

    1. For the purpose of this policy only, the following definitions shall apply:
      1. Employee: An individual who provides services to the University on a regular basis in exchange for compensation and receives a W-2 for such services. This includes temporary and part-time Employees.
      2. Non-Controlled Affiliated Organizations: Wichita State University Foundation and Alumni Engagement.
      3. Nonstandard Domain Name: Any domain name that does not end in "wichita.edu" but represents an Official University Website.
      4. Official University Websites: Websites that represent the official views and opinions of the University, as authorized by the University in accordance with University policies and procedures.
      5. University: Wichita State University.
      6. University Servers: Any web server owned, administered, and/or managed by the University.
      7. University Systems: University owned or operated software, applications, data systems, folders, files, drives, servers, networks, or services, including University operated cloud services.
      8. Unofficial Websites: Any Website that does not represent the official views and opinions of the University. Examples of Unofficial Websites may include, but are not limited to, personal sites of faculty, staff, students, and Non-Controlled Affiliated Organizations.
      9. Website: A collection of linked web pages containing text, graphics, sound files, etc. residing on a web server.
      10. wichita.edu: Registered Internet domain name owned and controlled by the University.

  6. Administrative Procedure

    1. Applications for hosting Unofficial Websites on University Servers must be submitted to the University's Chief Information Officer at helpdesk@wichita.edu.
    2. Requests for approval to use a non-University Server or service to host an Official University Website must be submitted to the University’s Chief Information Officer at helpdesk@wichita.edu.

  7. Applicable Laws and Additional Resources

    1. Americans with Disabilities Act
    2. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
    3. Americans with Disabilities Act Title II Regulations
    4. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (“WCAG”) version 2.1 Level AA
    5. WSU Policy 8.11 / Accessible Content
    6. WSU Policy 19.20 / Data Sensitivity Classification
    7. WSU Policy 19.21 / University Domain Names
    8. WSU Policy 20.11 / Use of the University's Name, Seal, Logos or Marks
    9. Accessibility at Wichita State University

  8. Revision Dates

    1. August 17, 2026