Our Work

The work we undertake, guided by our vision and values, ladders up to key strategic initiatives at the University. We strive to proactively recommend measures and focus on projects that will serve the University now and into the future.

Scope of our work

The Web Governance Council’s work applies to the University of Rochester’s web presence, which includes rochester.edu and its subdomains, along with other affiliate domains published in an official capacity.

Learn about what aspects of the University’s web and digital presence are in and out of the scope for the Web Governance Council.

Within scope

Aspects of the University’s web presence that will be directly governed or evaluated by the Web Governance Council (WGC):

Guiding principles for web governance
Public- and internal-facing web pages managed by a University of Rochester school/division/unit
Shared design systems, templates, and components libraries
Visual identity and brand standards
Web accessibility and usability
Quality assurance and performance standards
Web analytics
User and account governance
Intranet systems

Reserved scope

Aspects of the University’s web presence that will not initially be evaluated or governed by the Council, but that may be within scope at some future date:

Content management systems
Web tools and applications (on-prem or third-party)
Privacy laws and regulations

Out of scope

Aspects of the University’s digital presence that will not be governed by the WGC:

Web security and infrastructure
Data governance
Domain names
Newsletters, social media, and other forms of digital marketing outside the University’s web environment (this will be managed by the Digital Marketing/Communications Governance group)

Digital accessibility

The Council identified this project as the highest priority due to legal risk exposure for the University, as well as to align with the University’s commitment to inclusion and equity.

Status: In progress

Learn about the web accessibility project

Web visual identity standards

This project would clarify and codify University digital brand guidelines and minimum brand standards for sub-brands. As part of this effort, this project could review the feasibility of creating a central digital brand portal, style guides, and other resources.

Status: In progress

Learn about the web visual identity project

Staffing, recruitment, and retention

This project could include an audit of current web team staffing and remote work status; flagging issues, pain points, and successes within current state; peer benchmarking; and developing recommendations for University leadership and Human Resources.

Status: Not yet begun; slated for 2023

Quality assurance guidelines and standards

This project could include conducting baseline audits and scoring rationales for what is considered a quality website within the University’s web ecosystem, and developing resources and recommendations for website maintenance.

Status: Not yet begun; slated for 2023–24

Intranet vs. Internet study

This benchmarking study would identify the potential value for offering a University-wide option for an intranet that would allow the University to remove internal-facing content and documents off its public-facing website.

Status: Not yet begun; slated for 2024

Website account governance

This project could include documenting responsibility for ensuring website quality assurance and management of editor roles; identifying minimum standards for publishing; recommending training requirements for editors with publishing access; and proposing guidelines to support adherence to quality and security standards.

Status: Not yet begun; slated for 2024

We open up some of our meetings to the larger community for those interested in the topics at hand. See our meeting schedule, and request to attend a meeting.

Join us at a meeting