The World Wide Web (WWW) is recognized as an important tool for communication,
learning and scholarship. Binghamton University provides web server resources
to departments and individuals for legitimate University business and for
scholarly activity. For information on computing resources for web pages,
see Instructional
and Personal Web Pages.
Part I: Applicable to all Binghamton University World Wide Web Pages
1. Web pages must be regarded in the same light as publications and written
communication. As such, all pages will abide by the federal copyright laws
and applicable laws and University policies relating to written expression.
Personal web pages are encouraged, but the content must be consistent with
the Rules of Student Conduct (students) and the Faculty/Staff Policy Handbook.
2. Only pages authored by students/faculty/staff of the University and about
University-related programs or related to the individual's role at the University
will be housed on the University network. Every page must identify its author/administrator,
who must provide an electronic mail link for correspondence and take responsibility
for any communication the page may generate. In addition, pages must include
the date when last updated.
3. The University recognizes the difference between official and unofficial
(or personal) pages. Official pages represent the University and its programs.
Personal pages should not give the impression that they are representing,
giving opinions or otherwise making statements on behalf of the University.
All pages by students or student groups are considered personal pages. All
unofficial pages should carry the following disclaimer:
"The views and opinions expressed on this page are those of the page
developers and not necessarily those of Binghamton University. Any comments
on the contents of this page should be directed to its developers."
4. Web pages supported by the University network may not be used for illegal
or non-University commercial purposes.
5. The University reserves the right to remove network access to groups
or individuals who ignore the guidelines or violate acceptable use policies
as defined. The University also reserves the right to remove access for
special problems such as pages that have become static, contain an excessive
number of invalid links to other sites or deny service to others because
of their popularity or content.
Part II: Applicable to Official University Web Pages
1. The page administrator of official pages must be a departmental
employee. While students may design department pages, they cannot serve
as administrators of official pages. Pages should include an email link
to the page administrator, who may be identified simply as "webmaster,"
and the date that the page was last modified or reviewed for accuracy.
2. Since browsers can link to a page without going through pages that are
logically "before" or "above" it, each page should identify
the department or unit and Binghamton University. The opening or title page
also should contain the phrase "State University of New York"
somewhere on the page.
3. All pages should carry a link (usually at the beginning or end) to the
page that comes logically before the page in question. By following such
links, a browser should be able to reach the University's home page in a
small number of steps. All pages linked to the University Home Page are
encouraged to use the icons provided to point to the University's Home Page.
4. Official information that already exists on University Pages (such as
Bulletin information, descriptions of the University etc.) may not be duplicated.
Links to the existing information should be made instead.
5. All official pages should follow the University's style guide for electronic
information to maintain consistency in the use of punctuation, capitalization,
titles and the University seal and logo. Questions should be addressed to
the Office of University Relations.
6. Official and unofficial information (how to use the WWW, interesting
pages on the WWW outside the University, Binghamton weather, etc.) should
not reside on the same page. Pages with links to both official and unofficial
information should link to official information first.
7. Academic departments and other University units are encouraged to develop
web pages to be linked to the Binghamton University Home Page.
8. Web page administrators should review pages regularly to keep them timely
and accurate.
The Office of University Relations will oversee the appearance of the Main
University Home Page and the pages directly linked from the main page. This
office will also review new pages before they are linked to University pages
to ensure consistency for the institution.
Department chairs and unit administrators are responsible for the content
of departmental pages. Departmental pages should not attempt to duplicate
official information and should refer readers to the correct pages for official
information.
Computing Services will manage the resource and technical issues regarding
web accounts, university servers and system configuration. This office will
coordinate with University Relations to determine which departmental pages
are ready for publication.
Binghamton University Computing Services provides web servers for three
categories of campus web publishers: individual departments desiring a reliable
and routinely backed-up web presence, individual students and staff who
desire personal web page space or a depository for course related web assignments,
and offices that use the web to capture or dispense secure data. These servers
are housed in Computing Services Operations area. They are regularly monitored
and backed-up by Operations staff.
Departmental Server: Each department can request accounts and disk
space on a central departmental web server. This central server is accessible
to the entire Internet community. It is not intended as a repository of
or channel to secure resources such as gradebooks or personnel and financial
records. Departments will be able to build and maintain their own web material
and publish them without Computing Services intervention. Those pages which
require cgi or other privileged resources should be installed by BU departmental
webmaster .
Individual Server: Each individual with a general access computer
account on BINGSUNS is able to build and publish web pages from that platform.
Web pages and related materials stored in this area will be accessible to
the Internet community. Links to a user's pages may be made from departmental
web pages and, at a future date, from the University on-line directory service.
Secure Server: The University also maintains a secure web server
for transactions involving sensitive or private information.
Other Campus Web Servers
Any department or individual with a computer connected to the campus Ethernet
is able to install web server software independent of these central server
resources. In such a case, the user should be able to guarantee a stable,
responsive system that is always powered on. Users with web service should
also be sure that the server has Domain Name Service (DNS). Requests for
DNS can be made electronically.
Last updated/reviewed: 08/28/97