University Web Standard
The University Web Standard is more than a visual guideline. It is a comprehensive Web architecture that combines a strict underlying grid foundation with a customizable visual layer. This is achieved by the use of several stylesheets; some that can be modified, some that cannot, all of which are mandatory for a site to be compliant. The stylesheets work in combination with specific Web page layouts that are fully built, tested, accessible and validated in both their XHTML and CSS.
A Web developer embarking on the development of a website for the university will not have to build any stylesheets or page structure from scratch. The Web developer must simply request the Web Developer’s Toolkit, modify a pre-built layout to customize navigation, apply a visual design by modifying a stylesheet, and insert page content.
University Branding
The Web standard includes pre-built and approved graphics for the minimum required university branding. A Web developer does not have to create, place or implement any additional graphics to comply with university guidelines. If the complete university Web styles are desired (similar to that of the President's website), they can be requested at any time by emailing the listserv or noting this when submitting the Toolkit Request Form.
Master Layouts and Layout Variations
The University Web Standard consists of three master layouts, each having eight variations in navigation, creating a total of 24 sample layouts to choose from. The three “master” layouts are Fixed-width780, Fixed-width980, and Max-Dynamic.The Fixed-width780 layout, as the name implies, is 780 pixels wide. The Fixed-width980 layout is 980 pixels wide. The Max-dynamic layout always takes up the maximum area of the browser and resizes dynamically when the browser is scaled up or down.
Each master layout has eight layout variations. All layout variations are located within the Sample Layouts folder within the Web Developer’s Toolkit. The variations are in the number of columns (two or three), placement of the menus (left or right), and in whether there is a primary menu across the top (two- or three-tier navigation structure). The variations are labeled 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B.
Stylesheet overview
Each sample layout in the University Web Standard is linked to four basic stylesheets, each controlling a specific aspect of the layout. The stylesheet links can be viewed in the HTML code of each sample layout. There is one set of the above stylesheets for each master layout.
| Stylesheet | Description |
|---|---|
| Styles.css | Contains styles that define the “look” of a site |
| Contribute_styles.css | Contains styles that Contribute content editors will have access to in the pull-down menu within Contribute |
| Layout.css | Contains styles that define university branding and page structure |
| Print.css | Contains styles that modify page structure and allow printing of #content div only |
As noted in the table above, the Web developer can customize both styles.css and contribute_styles.css. The Web developer has complete control over the code within these two files. And since all page styling – the visual design – is controlled by these files, styling a site can be a separate task from either building a site or populating a site with content and can be carried out before or after a site has been structurally built. The workflow used to develop a site is completely up to the Web developer. But it is important to note that, from a group work point of view, styling and building a site, as well as adding content to a site, can be parallel processes depending on how the project is managed.
Browsers
The following browsers and versions have been tested and are supported.
| Platform | Browser | Version |
|---|---|---|
| PC | Internet Explorer | 6.0.2 * |
| PC | Netscape | 7.2, 8.1 |
| PC | Firefox | 1.5.0.3 |
| Mac | Firefox | 1.0.4 |
| Mac | Safari | 2.0.3 |
| Mac | Opera | 8.54 |
* Internet Explorer 7 is not officially released at this time
Software
The software application currently recommended for developing a university standard website is Adobe Dreamweaver (formerly Macromedia). The University Web Standard is delivered to developers as a base website, complete with linked images, stylesheets, sample layouts and templates. And although the Web standard is standards compliant XHTML and CSS, which are not specific to any one software application, all documentation and training is currently geared for Dreamweaver. Most importantly, Dreamweaver has been thoroughly tested using the new standard.
Additionally, Adobe Contribute is strongly recommended for use by content editors – the people who will be responsible for daily maintenance of the website, not necessarily the Web developer.
The Chancellor’s Office has secured educational pricing for the CSU. Departments must purchase individual copies of the software. There is no site license. In order to purchase Dreamweaver, Contribute, or the Studio 8 bundle at the CSU discounted price, contact the Fresno State Purchasing Office.
Depending on campus need, FrontPage or Expressions Web Developer may be added later as an application supported by the Web standard. To help gauge this need, please send email to cleanuptheweb@listserv.csufresno.edu if you would like support for either products.
Web servers
At this time, the University Web Standard can only be used on websites that are hosted on the ITS Info Web server. There are several important reasons for this.
First off, the University Web Standard utilizes Server Side Includes (SSI) for shared content within the university branding. This will facilitate easy updating and maintenance issues. Due to security concerns, these SSI files cannot be accessed by websites unless the sites are hosted on the ITS Info Web server. If another campus Web server is identified as needing access to the SSI files, it may be possible to grant that specific Web server access. If this is needed, please send email to cleanuptheweb@listserv.csufresno.edu to inform us of your needs and we’ll work together to come up with a solution.
Secondly, the ITS Info server is professionally supported by ITS staff and, as a part of that effort, has professional backup and security measures in place to ensure proper maintenance and reliability. At this point in time it is recommended that websites utilizing the University Web Standard either be hosted on Info, or hosted on a Web server with the same standards and reliability.
To request a website on the ITS Info server, go to http://help.csufresno.edu. If you are faculty or staff requesting a new account, this is the complete URL:
https://help.csufresno.edu/facstaff/autoagent/dept-web-request.jsp
After the form is submitted, a supervisor will need to approve the website request. Once created, you will be notified of the account creation and the username and password.
The University Web Standard has been developed as a solution for many of the known Web problems we have experienced on our campus. Naturally, technical challenges will arise that have not yet been considered. It will take teamwork, positive attitudes and open communication by all involved to be sure the University Web Standard grows to meet everyone’s needs.
Conclusion
The University Web Standard is a comprehensive Web architecture based on W3C standards compliant technology utilizing standardized XHTML 1.0 Transitional page structures and CSS stylesheets. The University Web Standard Web Developer’s Toolkit is delivered as a single zip archive that contains all necessary documents that are accessible, are validated and have been tested to run on specific browsers. Adobe Dreamweaver and Contribute are supported software applications and currently University Web Standard sites must be hosted on the ITS Info Web server.