Website Content Standards and Responsibilities
Everyone who creates or maintains content on the Cal State Monterey Bay website shares responsibility for keeping our website accurate, accessible, consistent and useful.
These standards explain what is expected of university web content, who is responsible for maintaining it and when changes require additional review from University Communications.
Website content standards
All university web content must:
- Meet a clear user or institutional need
- Be accurate and up to date
- Follow university brand and editorial standards
- Meet accessibility standards, including WCAG 2.1 AA or the university's current accessibility standard
- Avoid duplicating or conflicting with information published elsewhere on the university website
- Use approved university templates and components
- Support institutional messaging and priorities
- Align with the university's web content strategy
University Communications may require revisions to or removal of content that does not meet university standards.
Content Ownership and Responsibilities
Responsibility for university web content is shared among Editors, divisional Publishers and University Communications, depending on the type of content.
Every section of the university website must have:
- At least one Editor responsible for maintaining content
- A divisional Publisher responsible for the content within their area
Editors and divisional Publishers own and maintain Core and Non-Core content for their areas. They are responsible for ensuring that content is accurate, relevant, accessible and aligned with university web and editorial standards.
Due to current technical limitations, University Communications serves as the system Publisher for Core content and publishes approved updates on behalf of divisions. This publishing role does not transfer content ownership to University Communications. The divisional Publisher remains responsible for the content.
University Communications owns and manages Authoritative Content and provides oversight, standards and support for university web properties.
Understand Your Content Type
Not every page has the same ownership, publishing process or level of review. University web content falls into three categories based on its audience, purpose and institutional impact.
Authoritative Content
University-Wide Information Managed Centrally
Authoritative Content provides official university information that must remain consistent and accurate wherever users encounter it.
Examples include:
- Homepage content
- Primary global navigation
- Program and degree pages
- Institutional messaging
- Admissions-related content
- Tuition and financial aid information
- Global calls to action
- Program page templates and standards
- Global headers, footers and utility navigation
Content owner: University Communications, in partnership with designated subject matter experts.
Publishing responsibility: University Communications.
Departments and divisions should not duplicate Authoritative Content elsewhere on the website without approval from University Communications. Changes to Authoritative Content require University Communications review and approval through the Web Change Request process.
Core Content
High-Impact Content Supporting Important User Journeys
Core Content includes strategically important academic, administrative and service information that supports university goals and helps users complete important tasks.
Examples include:
- College landing pages
- Department landing pages
- Recruitment-focused content
- High-traffic resource pages
Content owner: The appropriate division, with Editors and the divisional Publisher responsible for maintaining the content.
Publishing responsibility: Due to current technical limitations, University Communications serves as the system Publisher for Core Content and publishes updates on behalf of the division. The divisional Publisher retains ownership and responsibility for the content.
Editors and Publishers are responsible for ensuring Core Content remains accurate, relevant, accessible and aligned with university standards.
Significant changes to page structure, strategy or templates may require University Communications review through the Web Change Request process.
Non-Core Content
Content Managed by Individual Departments, Offices and Units
Non-Core Content includes university web content that does not fall within the Authoritative or Core Content categories.
Content owner: The appropriate department or division, with Editors and the divisional Publisher responsible for maintaining the content.
Publishing responsibility: Editors and Publishers manage and publish Non-Core Content according to their assigned permissions and established university web processes.
Routine content updates generally do not require additional review by University Communications. All Non-Core Content must continue to follow university web, brand, editorial and accessibility standards. Structural, strategic or technical changes may require review.
Web Change Request Process
Some website changes require review by University Communications before they can be implemented. This includes changes to Authoritative Content and certain structural, strategic or template-related changes to Core and Non-Core Content.
To request a change, submit an Optimize case with details about the requested update. University Communications will review the request and coordinate next steps as needed.