Appropriate Use Policy: Unofficial Web Pages

Rules for unofficial Web pages on SMU-owned computer equipment or linked from official SMU Web pages

The term "Web page" refers to technology that permits text, graphics, photographs, sounds, video images or other materials to be posted on an SMU-owned computer or listed as a link from an official SMU Internet homepage for public access via Internet.

Unofficial Web pages and links to them from official SMU Web pages will be permitted on University-owned computer equipment within these rules as a means of furthering education and research, and fostering exchanges of ideas and opinions. Unofficial Web pages do not represent the official views of the University. While they may contain documents generated by University departments or organizations, they are not considered the official repository of those documents.

Rules for Unofficial Web pages:

  1. A Web page posted on or through an SMU-owned server must be sponsored and administered by an SMU academic department, chartered campus organization, faculty member, staff member, or student before it will be linked on an official SMU Web page or made accessible from the Internet.

  2. Before a campus-affiliated organization can post a homepage, the administrator must complete an application which must include the name and e-mail address of the organization's advisor or sponsor. The advisor or sponsor must acknowledge awareness of the Web page and its administrator before it will be posted.

  3. An individual or chartered campus organization that wishes to establish an unofficial Web page must indemnify the University against any financial loses resulting from litigation brought as a result of the materials it posts or permits to be posted.

  4. An unofficial Web page sponsored by a faculty member, academic or administrative department is expected to adhere to the AAUP Code of Professional Ethics and the University's Standards of Professional Ethics for Faculty. Staff members who post Internet homepages must adhere to these same standards.

  5. SMU is not responsible for the maintenance of any unofficial Web page.

  6. The opening menu or home page for any unofficial Web page will display a disclaimer stating:

    The contents of this Web site are the sole responsibility of (the organization or individual's name) and do not necessarily represent the opinions or policies of Southern Methodist University. The administrator of this site is (name) who may be contacted at (e-mail address).

  7. A Web page may be removed from an official SMU server or made inaccessible if it is found to be involved in criminal activities, copyright infringement, serious violations of the student code of conduct, violations of applicable codes of ethics or actions that reflect upon the integrity of the University. In addition, the offender(s) may also be subject to other actions as dictated by SMU policies.

  8. Commercial messages by for-profit organizations, companies, or individuals are prohibited. This includes but is not limited to banner advertisements or other similar mechanisms.

  9. The amount of space that an unofficial web site may use is governed by the university's Quota Policy.