Webmaster Agreement

A Web Content Manager (sometimes referred to as the department webmaster) will maintain a USA Unit's (see USA Web Policies for definitions) information on the USA Web Server, serve as liaison to the University Webmaster and serve as a contact point for the USA and Internet community.

Each department or unit -- academic or administrative -- as well as other centers or authorized organizations is allowed to maintain a presence on the University's website. The unit must have an individual appointed as the key contact who is responsible for content on their site. The Key Contact can either maintain the site or pass the editing to an authorized user with access to the CMS.

Webmasters are requested to perform the following functions:

Coordinate within their organization the gathering of information for Internet/intranet publication
Coordinate with the USA Webmaster concerning the organization's website
Review and comply with the USA Web Policies and Web Publishing Procedures
Prepare the information for publishing on the Internet /intranet
Serve as a contact point via e-mail for inquiries from the USA and Internet community
Provide timely and up-to-date information
Ensure all links on the site are live and tested
Check pages for spelling and grammar errors prior to publishing on the web
Ensure all pages meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 level AA standards -- this includes pages published via the CMS or documents/PDFs linked to a published page
Ensure all documents (pdf, doc, xsl, ppt, etc.) uploaded to resources pass accessibility checks
Ensure videos (linked or embedded) that include narration contain accurate captioning
Verify that proper authorization has been obtained for all images and graphics used and required attribution given. Please contact Web Services if you have any questions.
Frequently scan and review the site to detect, remove or update outdated content.
Remove pages, documents and images that are no longer linked on the site.
Check published pages in mobile and tablet view to ensure they are fully responsive and report any issues to the USA Webmaster.

Content Management

By transitioning to the content management system (CMS), an underlying goal for the University’s website was to create a more uniform, professional look for all pages. To help users in development of their pages, templates and other design elements (assets and snippets) have been designed and are available in the University’s content management system. Each element has been tested and is mobile responsive for display of the content in a user-friendly format on tablets and phones. The web content manager should utilize these tools to develop pages for the organizational unit. When editing assets, the web content manager should work with Web Services if different functionality is needed to ensure compatibility. Please note that if content is not mobile responsive or does not display correctly, Web Services reserves the right to remove it from the University website.

It is very important that one individual in each USA Unit be responsible for its information. If a user notices incorrect information on a web page, an incorrect link, or has a suggestion for other information that might be useful, the user should be able to e-mail the designated person to make the correction or consider the suggestion.

Requesting a Site

A website can be created for any official university unit. This includes academic and administrative departments as well as officially sanctioned organizations.

To request a site, please contact Web Services at webmaster@southalabama.edu.

Requesting/Changing Webmaster Access

After you request your site, obtain a Webmaster account for the individual responsible for developing and maintaining site content. The webmaster request must be approved by the department chair or dean. To complete a request to add or change Webmaster, click the link below and submit your request.

Assign a New Webmaster (CMS)

* Note: Use this form to add initial webmaster for your site or to add secondary webmaster.

If you are replacing an existing webmaster, you should complete and submit a "Request to Remove Personnel" form

Request to Remove Personnel

When you need to change the webmaster or remove any authorized web personnel from your site, please contact Web Services at webmaster@southalabama.edu.

Request Access for Additional Personnel

To add a backup user or assistant to the site’s webmaster, you can request additional access. It is recommended that each site have two authorized users. Additional users require special permission from Web Services, and your department may be charged annually for the additional license fee. The personnel request must be approved by the site webmaster. To complete a request to add or change personnel, click the link below and submit your request.

Add New Web Personnel (CMS)

There are two different access levels a web user can be assigned – Webmaster and Reviewer.

A Web Content Manager has full authorization to add, edit, publish and delete pages in your site. This individual can also add assets or snippets and may be able to edit source code for some of the high-level editing of page content, properties or navigation. Web Services recommends that the person assigned as the Webmaster has a working knowledge of HTML and CSS.
The Reviewer is one who checks the page content and navigation to ensure that the content and flow is correct. This individual rarely needs to edit the pages in the CMS.

Training and Notification of New Login Credentials

Once credentials are established for a new user, the USA Webmaster will contact the new user and schedule training. Along with an introduction to WYSIWYG interface for the content management system, the USA Web Server account I.D., password, directory location and other pertinent information will be provided to the new user.

Questions?

If you have questions or encounter problems during the form submission process, please notify us.

Phone: (251) 460-6161
Email: webmaster@southalabama.edu