Websites guide

Updating the College's websites

Through the College's Website Assets Management System (WAM), you are able to edit your:

• Profile pages (Academics, Experiment Station, Extension)
• Publication / scholastic works pages (Academics, Experiment Station, Extension)
• Program pages and subsites (Experiment Station, Extension)
• Directory listings (Experiment Station, Extension)

For help updating web content hosted outside of this system (e.g. academics webpages), request web support.

Website marketing strategy

See the College's digital marketing guide.

Logging in

You log in with your full email address and your password, not your NetID. If you ever forget your password, click the reset password link to set a new one.

Required training

The University requires anyone creating online content, such as for websites, social media, WebCampus courses, emails, etc., to complete Basic Web Accessibility Training annually. Between trainings, reference the web accessibility cheat sheet.

How to update your profile page

Adding a profile photo

1. Open a web browser (e.g., FireFox, Chrome, Oprea, etc.) and log into the Website Assets Management System.
   1. If this is your first time logging into the system, then put your University email (@unr.edu) into the Username box and click RESET Password. Follow the instructions that are emailed to you, then log in with your new password.
2. Click Profile Photos.
3. Scroll down to see bad profile photo examples and good profile photo examples. Choose a profile photo that follows the good examples.
   1. If you need help getting a photo that follows the good examples, contact the Communications Team and we will help put you in touch with someone to take the photo.
4. Photos should be:
   1. 640x640px (1:1 ratio).
   2. Jpeg/jpg.
   3. Less than 800Kb.
5. Click Choose File and upload your properly-sized photo.
6. Add alt text (you can just put your name here).
7. Click Upload Image.

Adding and updating profile information

We encourage you to fill in as much information as possible, as more information is better; however, you can keep it simple to get started.

Tip: Pull up your LinkedIn profile. Many of the fields are the same, so you can just copy-paste.

1. Before logging into the Personnel Management System, create a Word document that includes:
   1. A short description – this is a couple of sentences about your specialties and areas of expertise. This shows up as part of a search engine's description of the link to your page. Limit 670 characters including spaces (approximately 100 words).
      1. The website’s search engine looks at this box, so include keywords related to your specializations and areas of expertise.
   2. A longer, general description – more details about your current efforts. What cool things are you doing in research, teaching and outreach?
   3. A list of keywords
      1. List your keywords left-to-right in order of priority and importance.
      2. Include words that a general audience might Google.
      3. Include common misspellings of keywords.
      4. Include words that might be used in-house, such as jargon and acronyms.
      5. Include your first and last name, including common misspellings.
   4. Optional:
      1. A list of earned honors and awards.
      2. A list of non-job-related volunteer activities (called “Community Service” in the form).
      3. A list of accomplishments.
2. Open a web browser (e.g., FireFox, Chrome, Oprea, etc.) and log into the Website Assets Management System.
3. If this is your first time logging into the system, then put your University email (@unr.edu) into the Username box and click RESET Password. Follow the instructions that are emailed to you, then log in with your new password.
4. Click Profile Information.
5. Check your general information. Pay special attention to your name, department, position and title. Otherwise, you may be listed as a classified accountant 1, as it sometimes defaults to alphabetical order.
   1. Most people have a working title they want seen instead of the classified or faculty title. To update it, you must have "Yes" selected from the Alternate Title dropdown. WARNING: the alternate title will display instead of the classified or faculty title, so if you want both the working title and the other title displayed, type both in the Alternate title space (e.g. Professor and Extension Educator).
6. CLICK SAVE INFORMATION AT LEAST ONCE PER HOUR – the system will kick you out if you appear “inactive” for an hour, and it doesn’t recognize typing in the description boxes as being active. Saving will remove you from the page – simply click Return Main Menu at the top left of the button ribbon, then click Profile Information.
7. Input relevant education information.
8. Select all relevant program areas – this lets people find you when they find stuff related to you.
9. In the short description box, copy-paste your pre-written short description with no formatting.
   1. Keyboard shortcuts:
      1. Windows: Ctrl + Shift + v
      2. Mac: Command + Shift + v
10. Copy-paste your pre-written list of keywords.
11. Copy-paste your pre-written long, general description with no formatting.
12. List college courses you teach in the "Detailed Description of your teaching efforts" box. If you don't teach a college course, leave this box blank.
13. Copy-paste your optional sections with no formatting.
14. Click Save Changes.

How to create or edit an Extension program page

Adding a new Extension program page

1. Before logging into the Website Assets Management System, create a Word document that includes:
   1. A short program description – this gives end users a quick summary of what the program is about. Limit 670 characters including spaces (approximately 100 words).
   2. A long program description – for most programs, this is the program’s main webpage. It can include details about the program’s activities, upcoming classes, accomplishments and achievements, impact statement, history, etc.
2. Using Firefox, log into the Website Assets Management System.
3. Click Extension Programs.
4. Click Add New Program.
5. Add the program title.
6. Copy-Paste your short and long descriptions with no formatting; you can reformat afterward. WARNING: Microsoft Word is weird and failure to remove formatting may break accessibility, which means your publication may not be approved for posting to the website.
   1. Keyboard shortcuts:
      1. Windows: Ctrl + Shift + v
      2. Mac: Command + Shift + v
   2. To preview, click Save at the bottom left of the page, then within the Edit Program page, click Preview in the button ribbon at the top.
   3. CLICK SAVE CHANGES AT LEAST ONCE PER HOUR – the system will kick you out if you appear “inactive” for an hour, and it doesn’t recognize typing or formatting in the Long Description box as being active. The button is at the bottom of the page.
   4. The University-required annual training for people who create, edit or post content online will help you in making the webpage version of your publication accessible. Log into wcl.unr.edu to take the training online or visit Teaching & Learning Technology's website to enroll in an in-person session.
7. Add keywords
   1. List your keywords left-to-right in order of priority and importance.
   2. Include words that a general audience might Google.
   3. Include common misspellings of keywords.
   4. Include words that might be used in-house, such as jargon and acronyms.
   5. Include last names of program leaders and contacts, including common misspellings.
8. Select all relevant website areas – this lets your program show up on related pages.
9. Optional: If your program does have a separate website, you can add the website’s link to the Outside Link section.
   1. If the somewhere else on the web is an Extension website (e.g. livingwithfire.info), it must be accessible.
10. When the page looks the way you want, Click Submit for Review at the bottom right of the page. The communication’s team will receive an email asking them to review your submission for ADA compliance. If it passes, they will allow the program to show up on the website. If not, they will let you know that changes need made.

Editing an existing Extension program page

1. Follow steps 1-3 for Adding a new Extension program page.
2. Find the program you want to edit in the list. Click Edit in the left column.
3. Make edits using steps 5-10 for Adding a new Extension program page as a guide, plus any steps for embedding photos.
   1. To preview, click Save on the bottom left of the page, then within the Edit Program page, click Preview in the button ribbon at the top.
4. When the page looks the way you want, Click Submit for Review at the bottom right of the page.

Adding a calendar widget to an existing Extension program page

1. Visit events.unr.edu. 
2. In the right sidebar's Share Events box, click the Widget builder link.
3. In the Template dropdown, select Default. (Other selections are not accessible and must not be used.)
4. In the Number of Results field, type 50. This is the maximum number of results that the widget can display.
5. In the Days Ahead field, type 365. This is the maximum number of days that the widget can display.
6. Configure the widget to display only the events related to your program by doing one of the following:

    

   1. In the Department dropdown box, select the office, topic or program for which you are building this widget, OR
      1. You must tag this department on every program event that you post to the calendar. If you don't, the event won't be pulled by the widget onto the program page.
   2. In the Keywords and Tags box, enter a keyword related to your program.
      1. The keyword must be unique enough that no other Extension or University program would use it. If the keyword is not unique and it is used by other Extension or University programs, their events will be pulled by the widget onto your program page.
      2. You must enter this keyword on every program event that you post to the calendar. If you don't, the event won't be pulled by the widget onto the program page.
   3. In the Content Must Match dropdown, select At least one place, group, keyword or tag, and one filter item.
   4. In the Widget Type dropdown, select List. (Other selections are not accessible and must not be used.)
   5. In the Style dropdown, select Classic. (Other selections are not accessible and must not be used.)
   6. Click Preview Widget. A new browser tab will open. It will show which upcoming events your widget will pull.
      1. If an event should appear here, but it doesn't, check that it's been posted to the calendar. Then, check that it's been tagged with the correct department or keyword. There is a delay from when you post or update an event to when the widget code will show it. You may have to wait awhile and press refresh a few times. If that doesn't work, check that none of the widget builder's Excluded Content boxes are completed. If that doesn't work, try different Content Must Match selections.
   7. Once you get the preview to pull events like you would like it to, click Generate Embed Code. Keep this window or browser tab open.
   8. Using Firefox, log into the Website Assets Management System.
   9. Find the program to which you want to add a calendar widget in the list. Click Edit in the left column.
   10. In the Long description buttons, click Source. This will show you in the text of the Long description box all of the code and content on your program page.
   11. Highlight all of the text in the Long description box, copy it and paste it somewhere safe. The database does not save backup copies of your program webpage. You want to have a copy to restore if adding the widget doesn't go as planned.
   12. Click Source again. This will show you the look and content of your program page.
   13. At the end of the content there (you may have to scroll down in the box), click into the box and type in the box the heading for your calendar. For example, Upcoming Events.
   14. Use the Long description buttons' Format dropdown box to set the appropriate heading level for the heading of your calendar.
   15. Click Source again. Keep this window or browser tab open.
   16. On your other window or browser tab that you kept open from Step 7, click in the Widget Embed Code box, highlight all of the code there and copy it.
   17. On your program website window or browser tab that you kept open from Step 15, scroll all of the way down to the end of the content there below your calendar heading from Steps 13-14. Paste the widget embed code. It should look something like this.

       <div id="localist-widget-70628945" class="localist-widget"></div><script defer type="text/javascript" src="https://events.unr.edu/widget/view?schools=reno&days=31&num=50&container=localist-widget-70628945&template=modern"></script><div id="lclst_widget_footer"><a style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;display:block;width:81px;margin-top:10px;" title="Widget powered by Localist Event Calendar Software" href="https://www.localist.com?utm_source=widget&utm_campaign=widget_footer&utm_medium=branded%20link"><img src="//d3e1o4bcbhmj8g.cloudfront.net/assets/platforms/default/about/widget_footer.png" alt="Localist Online Calendar Software" style="vertical-align: middle;" width="81" height="23"></a></div>

   18. Delete this part of the code that you just pasted:

       <div id="lclst_widget_footer"><a style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;display:block;width:81px;margin-top:10px;" title="Widget powered by Localist Event Calendar Software" href="https://www.localist.com?utm_source=widget&utm_campaign=widget_footer&utm_medium=branded%20link"><img src="//d3e1o4bcbhmj8g.cloudfront.net/assets/platforms/default/about/widget_footer.png" alt="Localist Online Calendar Software" style="vertical-align: middle;" width="81" height="23"></a></div>

   19. To preview, click Save at the bottom left of the page, then within the Edit Program page, click Preview in the button ribbon at the top.
   20. CLICK SAVE CHANGES AT LEAST ONCE PER HOUR – the system will kick you out if you appear “inactive” for an hour, and it doesn’t recognize typing or formatting in the Long Description box as being active. The button is at the bottom of the page.
   21. When the page looks the way you want, Click Submit for Review at the bottom right of the page. The communication’s team will receive an email asking them to review your submission for ADA compliance. If it passes, they will allow the program to show up on the website. If not, they will let you know that changes need made.
       1. One ADA compliance issue common with calendar widgets are events with the same name. If you have multiple events with the same name, enter them on the calendar as one event that repeats, not as separate events. If that's not appropriate for your event and you must enter them as separate events, then customize each event's title so that no two are the same.

How to add scholastic works to an Extension program page

1. Log in to the Website Assets Management System.
2. Add the publication to the Website Assets Management System database. Only publications in the database can be added to Extension programs.

To add multiple scholastic works to a single program:

1. Once the publication is in the Website Assets Management System database, on the Main Menu, click Extension Programs.
2. Find the program you want to add a scholastic work to and click “Pubs” in the fifth column.
3. Use the filters to find the scholastic work you want to add.
4. Click Edit next to the scholastic work.
5. On the far right, mark Add.
6. On the left, click Update.

To add a single scholastic work to multiple programs:

1. Once the publication is in the Website Assets Management System database, on the Main Menu, click Publications.
2. Find the scholastic work you want to add to the program pages and click “Programs” in the fifth column.
3. Select the program you want from the dropdown list.
4. Click Add Program.
5. Repeat until all desired programs are added.

1. Before logging into the Website Assets Management System, create a Word document that includes:
   1. A short description – this gives end users a quick summary of what the publication is about and why the end user should read it. Limit 320 characters including spaces.
   2. A list of keywords:
      1. List your keywords left-to-right in order of priority and importance.
      2. Include words that a general audience might Google.
      3. Include common misspellings of keywords.
      4. Include words that might be used in-house, such as jargon and acronyms.
      5. Include last names of all authors, including common misspellings.
2. If your scholastic work includes embedded images, use Firefox. Log into the Website Assets Management System.
   1. If this is your first time logging into the system, then put your University email (@unr.edu) into the Username box and click RESET Password. Follow the instructions that are emailed to you, then log in with your new password.
3. Click Scholastic Works.
4. Click Add New Records.
5. In the Authors box, list ALL authors in order of authorship.
6. Add all CABNR, Experiment Station and Extension authors from the provided list – this allows the scholastic work to show up on people’s profiles.
7. Fill in the "Year Originally Published," "Title," and "Published In" fields accordingly.
   1. If the publication is not in a specific journal, newspaper, newsletter, etc., you can use the following format for the "Published In" field: "Extension, University of Nevada, Reno," followed by a category such as Forms or Blog Posts.
8. Copy-paste your list of keywords.
9. Fill in the "Category," "Peer Reviewed," "Featured Publication," "Language," and "Peer Reviewed" fields accordingly. 
10. Select all relevant website areas – this lets your publication show up on related pages.
11. Copy-paste your pre-written short description.
12. Any of the following:
    1. Copy-Paste from the document to create a webpage version. This is recommended for smaller publications such as Fact Sheets and Special Publications, as it is easier to make them ADA compliant. CLICK SUBMIT INFORMATION AT LEAST ONCE PER HOUR – the system will kick you out if you appear “inactive” for an hour, and it doesn’t recognize typing or formatting in the webpage version box as being active. The button is at the bottom of the page.
       1. The University-required annual training for people who create, edit or post content online will help you in making the webpage version of your publication accessible. Log into wcl.unr.edu to take the training online or visit Teaching & Learning Technology's website to enroll in an in-person session.
       2. Paste with no formatting; you can reformat afterward. WARNING: Microsoft Word is weird and failure to remove formatting may break accessibility, which means your publication may not be approved for posting to the website.
          1. Windows: Ctrl + Shift + v
          2. Mac: Command + Shift + v
          3. To preview, click Submit Information, then within the Edit Publication page, click Preview in the button ribbon at the top.
    2. Upload the publication as a pdf. WARNING: uploaded documents that are not ADA compliant will not be approved for posting to the website.
13. Optional: If your scholastic work shows up somewhere else on the web, such as a blog post, Nevada Today article or a journal article, you can add the website’s link to the Outside Link section.
    1. If the somewhere else on the web is an Extension website (e.g. livingwithfire.info), it must be accessible.
14. If you want this to be one of the top 10 scholastic works on your personal profile page, select YES.
15. Click Submit. Robert and Ashley will receive an email asking them to review your submission for ADA compliance. If it passes, they will allow the publication to show up on the website. If not, they will let you know that changes need made.

How to add an event to the calendar

Got something going on? Discover how to boost awareness of your University-related events by posting them to the University's calendar. The University's calendar will feed your event information to the Extension website (and others) as well as to Nevada Today email blasts, so you can enter your information once and reach many.

Logging in to the University's event calendar

1. Go to events.unr.edu.
2. Click the rectangular red "SUBMIT AN EVENT" button on the right side of the screen.
3. A log in box will pop up; click the rectangular dark blue "LOGIN WITH SCHOOL ID" button in the middle of the pop up box.
4. You will be taken to a University NetID log in screen; log in with your University NetID username and password.

5. Once you log in, you'll be taken to the page to "ADD A PUBLIC EVENT." 

Adding events to the University's calendar

Once you have logged into events.unr.edu with your NetID and password following the steps above, you'll be able to add events to the calendar.

To help events show up well in search engine results and social media posts and to entice people to click on, RSVP for, share and attend your events, fill in as much information about your event as you can. See below for details.

Then, click Add Event.

Fields to complete with tips

Event Name (Required)

What you enter here will be displayed as the event's name on the main listing and details pages. Once you enter the event's name, Localist may display a duplicates warning below the field. This will detail if there are any possible matching events, future or past, already in the system.

Tips for good event names

• Highlight uniqueness - There’s something about your event that stands out from all others like it, something your program participants particularly value. Find out what it is, use it in your title.
• Use strong language - Evoke imagery, emotions, positive associations. No caps lock (That's yelling.).
• Use language relevant to your audience - Find out what keywords your folks are using to find you and your stuff, use those keywords and stack them to the left. This is good search engine optimization or SEO. It will help people to find your programs on Google.
• Be short and sweet - 8-14 words, <70 characters
• Be accurate - Don’t sacrifice accuracy for creativity.
• Be correct - Use proper grammar, spelling, punctuation and capitalization. Type in Word first, or install a plugin like Grammarly.
• Be vigilent - Double check everything! Check spelling, titles, names and other information in the title and in all other fields too.

Description (Required)

No character limit.

Tips for good descriptions:

• A flyer is not necessary. It's not a best practice. It's not even wanted by users. They want easy, and flyers aren't easy. They require zooming or clicking. They're not search engine, social media sharing or accessibility friendly. So, if you have a flier related to the event, don't post it! Instead, copy and paste without formatting (ctrl + shift + v) its text content and upload its best photo into the event listing. Do not post or link to an image of the flyer. This is not accessible. Do not link to PDF flyers/forms that aren’t accessible.
• Include as much info about your event in the event description box as possible, but nutgraph it so people can tune out. That means put the most important stuff at the top. Then, after the super-important details, include all of the questions they’ll be asking themselves. This way, they can read on for more info. If you don't answer any and all questions people may have about your event, they’ll get frustrated and move on. These are folks who look for info online. They're not folks who call for more info. If the were, they would be on the phone with you right now, not on the calendar. So give them all of the info online.
• Give the info in a way that is not redundant. Keep out of the description box info that goes in the other boxes, such as date, time, ticket requirements, etc.
• Contact info for the event should always be included It should be the most appropriate person to contact for event information, not necessarily the user submitting the event.
• Don't add special fonts, colors or other decorations in your body text, as it can limit readability and accessibility. It can also be poor marketing and branding.
• Double check spelling, titles, names and other information in all applicable fields.Start Date (Required)

There are several ways you can enter a date: Oct 3, October 3, 10/3, "Next Friday," "Tomorrow," 10/3/18, etc. As you type the date, below the field will update accordingly.

Event Status

Choose from:

• Live
• Canceled
• Postphoned
• Sold Out

Start/End Time

Use "6 p.m.," etc. Events do not require these times, in case it is an all day event. But, if there is an end time then there must be a start time.

Repeating

By default events are set to never repeat. Once you have entered a start date and times, you can use the repeating drop down to create a custom schedule. The options in the drop down will dynamically update to correspond to your start date. For example, "The 1st day" would say the "The 2nd day" if the start date was March 2nd and not March 1st. Custom schedule options include:

• Every day (Sunday - Saturday)
  • Every = 1 day - 30 day pattern
  • Repeating until = enter a specific date (March 1 - March 15) or amount of instances (15 times)
• Every weekday (Monday - Friday)
  • Repeating until = enter a specific date (March 1 - March 15) or amount of instances (15 times)
• Every Mon, Wed, Fri
  • Repeating until = enter a specific date (March 1 - March 15) or amount of instances (15 times)
• Every Tue, Thu
  • Repeating until = enter a specific date (March 1 - March 15) or amount of instances (15 times)
• Every week
  • Every = 1 week - 30 weeks
  • Repeat on = Only recur weekly only on the days checked off
  • Repeating until = enter a specific date (March 1 - March 15) or amount of instances (15 times)
• The 1st day (corresponds to numerical calendar date)
  • Every = 1 month - 30 months pattern
  • Repeating until = enter a specific date (March 1 - March 15) or amount of instances (15 times)
• The first Wednesday (corresponds to day of the week of start date)
  • Every = 1 month - 30 months pattern
  • Repeating until = enter a specific date (March 1 - March 15) or amount of instances (15 times)
• Every year (corresponds to exact date)
  • Every = 1 year - 30 years pattern
  • Repeating until = enter a specific date (March 1 - March 15) or amount of instances (15 times)
• Multiple times on the same day or across all days in a schedule
  1. Add the day/schedule with the first time frame
  2. Select the Add Above to Schedule button
  3. Navigate back to the start time and end time fields and enter the second time frame
  4. Select the Include Above in Schedule button
  5. Repeat as many times as necessary

Repeating events include two layers:

• Event: This is the overarching "what's happening," for example a series of Open Houses.
• Instance: If the Open House event spans multiple days then each day is one instance.

Summary

As soon as you enter a valid start date, you will see the Summary updated to reflect the field data. Once you have completed all of the fields, confirm your schedule in the Summary.

Overwrite Scheduled Dates

Adding a second (or more) schedule to the confirmed dates and overwriting the confirmed dates are both done by changing the previous data in the Schedule fields. If you are navigating back to an already saved event then these fields will be cleared.

Once your schedule is entered, set one of the following options, then save:

• Add to: Click the "Include Above in Schedule" button
• Overwrite: Check the "Overwrite scheduled dates" box and click the "Replace Existing Schedule" button

Add Above to Schedule

As soon as you enter a valid start date, you will see the Add Above to Schedule button activated. Once you have confirmed your schedule in the Summary, then select the Add Above to Schedule button.

Confirmed Dates

Once you have added dates to the schedule, they'll then be listed below in the Confirmed Dates section. From there you can delete or edit the times for individual instances.

Experience

Choose from:

• Hybrid
• In-Person
• Virtual

If you select hybrid or virtual, fields will appear for dial-in instructions, stream URL and stream embed code. If you enter a stream URL, your event page will feature a call to action button that if clicked will go to the stream's webpage. If you enter stream embed code, viewers will be able to watch the stream on your event page.

Place

You can either select to manually enter a place name + address (Use:option) or you can select a place page, which will automatically link it and pull in the saved address. Use: By selecting this option, you will not be connecting a place page and will instead be using a custom location. If Use is not displayed before the name then this means that what is listed is a place page and is available for connecting an event. If only text is entered in the field and a Use or Place Page option is not selected then Localist will save the text as is for the place name. If you select to use a custom option, such as Use: Washington Monument, then fields for Address and Directions will appear.

Room

This is free text, so it can be words and/or numbers.

Address

Enter the address where your event will be held.

Hashtag

Adding a hashtag helps the University, Extension, event attendees, etc. to talk about your event on social media in a way that you can track, measure, analyze and report. It also helps Localist to know which events it should promote as trending. When entered, Localist will monitor mentions of the hashtag on Twitter and take mentions into consideration in the trending algorithm. Do not include the hashtag symbol as it will automatically be added. Note: Only one hashtag can be used.

Tips for adding a hashtag:

• The hashtag symbol in the event listing is already there, just put the text.
• #CamelCase for readability and accessibility.
• Know your audience, where they gather online. Develop the hashtag there, and use it there.
• Make it short enough to be easy to use, but long enough to be clearly yours.
• Check before using it. Is it used by anyone else? Can it be misread? Does it mean what you think it means?
• Use early, often, during the event, and ask others to use it.
• After the event is over, track, measure, analyze, respond, find cool pics, testimonials, etc., make relationships.

Event Website

Any website can be entered. The best one to enter is your program webpage on the Extension website. If your program doesn't have a page, log into our College's Personnel Management System and add it. Instructions for this are available on Extension's Employee Resources webpage.

Photo

Brains process images faster than text. The easiest, fastest way to tell people what your event is about and why they should come is visually.

The Upload button allows you to add a photo to your event. Choose From Photo Library shows your recently used photos as well as the University's block N logo for use if you do not have a photo for your event. If you do not set an image for your event, the block N will be set by default. Try to include an image for every event you post.

Only use photos you have permission to use. Do not use photos stolen from the internet, including from social media or blogs. Do not use clipart.

Photo Caption

This field is misnamed. It's not caption field like it says. It's an alternate text field. What you enter here won't show up on the event posting under the image the way a caption would. Instead, it will show up in the code of the image on the website. People who view your event using a screen reader will have what you enter in this field read to them by the screen reader. For tips on writing good alternate text, visit WebAIM's article on alternate text.

In general, alternate text should be unique, short and sweet, and accurate. It should provide an experience equivalent to seeing the image. This means it should present the same content and function of the image to the user. Skip the words "image of..." or "graphic of...". The code will tell the user it's an image; they don't need to be told twice!

Event Type

Select all that apply from each Filter Family. The event type Filter Family includes:

• Academic Lectures and Seminars
• Arts
• Athletics
• Career
• Civic and Service Engagement
• Clubs and Organizations
• Commencement
• Community Outreach
• Health, Safety and Wellness
• Literature
• Music
• Professional Development
• Research Study
• School of Medicine
• Student Activities
• Training and Workshops
• University Holidays
• Welcome Event

Department

Select all that apply from each Filter Family. This is how your event will show up on the website! No tags? No website!

Note: If your event is not open to the public, choose the tag "Not Open to the Public" in addition to any other relevant tag. This tag will keep the event off of the main Extension calendar, so folks don't randomly show up. But, it will let it appear on your program page, so folks who participate in or fund your program can get the info they need.

The department Filter Family includes:

• College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources
  • Agriculture, Nutrition & Vet Sciences
  • Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
  • Center for Resource Economics
  • Experiment Station
  • Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences
  • Extension
    • 4-H
    • Aging & Elderly
    • Animals & Livestock
    • Business & Operations
    • Carson City
    • Childhood Education
    • Children, Youth & Families
    • Churchill County
    • Clark County | Las Vegas | AD Guy Center (Historic Westside)
    • Clark County | Las Vegas | Life Long Center (Paradise)
    • Clark County | Laughlin
    • Clark County | Logandale
    • Clark County | Mesquite
    • Community & Economic Development
    • Douglas County
    • Elko County
    • Eureka County
    • Fire, Water, Air & Soils
    • Food & Forage Crops
    • Food Quality & Safety
    • Forests, Rangeland & Wildlife
    • Green Industry Programs
    • Grow Your Own, Nevada!
    • Healthy Lifestyle
    • Horticulture
    • Humboldt County
    • Integrated Pest Management
    • Lander County
    • Landscaping, Lawns & Trees
    • Lincoln County
    • Lyon County
    • Master Gardeners
    • Mineral County
    • Not a Public Event
    • Nutrition
    • Nye County | Pahrump
    • Nye County | Tonopah
    • Pershing County
    • Pesticide Safety
    • Pests & Plant Diseases
    • Radon
    • Washoe County
    • White Pine County
    • Youth Horticulture

• Other University colleges, departments and units

Category

Select all that apply from each Filter Family. The category Filter Family includes:

• Academic Lecture Event
• Campus Community
• Diversity
• Health & Wellness
• Jobs
• Just for Fun
• Leadership
• Medical School Admissions
• New Employee Resources
  • New-hire orientation
• New Student Resources
• Personal/Professional Development
• Research Participation Opportunities
• Safety
• Travel
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Workday
• Workplace Safety

Audience

• Alumni, All
• Community-Wide, All-Campus
• Community-Wide, Including Off-Campus
• Employees, Academic Faculty
• Employees, Administrative Faculty
• Employees, All
• Employees, Classified
• Employees, New
• Students, All
• Students, Graduate
• Students, International
• Students, New & Prospective
• Students, Undergraduate

Pricing

Select all that apply from each Filter Family. The pricing Filter Family includes:

• Free
• Free, must register in advance
• Paid

Group

Select all that apply from each Filter Family. The group Filter Family includes:

• Admissions & Records
• Alianza
• Apex
• Arts 365
• ASUN
• Faculty Senate
• Ignite Integrity
• International Activities Committee
• Jobs and Careers
• Joe Crowley Student Union
• Nevada Alumni Association
• Nevada Bikes!
• Northern Nevada International Center
• Office of the Provost
• Ozmen Center for Entrepreneurship
• Performing Art Series
• Postdoc
• School of Medicine
• Staff Employees Council
• The Reynolds School of Journalism
• University Museum District
• Volunteer and Community Engagement
• Walking Tours

Ticket Cost

Enter any number with accompanying text, such as $50. If the event is free, leave this field blank or enter "free."

Ticket URL

This can be any URL. If a price is entered for ticket cost, this button will say Buy Tickets. If there is no cost entered or the event is free, this button will say Register.

Content quicklinks

• 09:41 How to find the How-Tos written instructions
• 23:48 How to find the How-Tos visual walkthrough
• 00:16 Logging in for the first time
• 01:26 Importance of keywords
• 04:42 What to prepare before logging in
• 06:46 ADA compliance
• 11:15 How to update your profile information
• 16:58 How to change your profile photo
• 20:00 How to add or update an Extension program
• 55:57 How to add program leaders, contacts or web page administrators to an Extension program
• 22:50 How to embed an image into a program or publication
• 30:18 How to add preset images to an Extension program
• 34:06 How to add publications to the database
• 41:45 How to add publications to Extension program pages
• 46:02 How to add preset images to a publication
• 47:33 Post webinar Q&A

Images

Image accessibility

Because of the funding the University receives, we are bound by federal law on accessibility to make sure everyone is able to experience the content on our site. A recent legal agreement between the University and the Office of Civil Rights in Washington, D.C. also obligates us to make our site content accessible. Plus, Extension’s purpose is to help people, including people who have an ability difference.

Alternate text, also known as alt text, helps people with visual impairments who use screen readers; however, not everyone with a visual impairment uses a screen reader. So, adding alt. text to an image with text on it will still leave some people with disabilities unable to experience the content on our site.

The accessibility checker that is used to monitor the University’s compliance with the legal agreement has a manual check in place that causes every single image to be examined for text. If an image without text cannot be found, the University’s placeholder image for missing visuals will automatically show up.

Adding alternate text to images

Alternate text is a short, written description of an image that captures in text what the image conveys visually.

When added to an image, alternate text:

• Helps people who use screen readers to understand the information the image conveys.
• Provides extra info to search engines, helping our pages to show up well in search results.
• Shows up in place of the image, if the image fails to load. Sometimes website visitors with limited data or on slow connections change their settings to ensure images don't show up. They'll see the alternate text instead.

To add alternate text:

• Follow the instructions below for adding images.
• They cover adding the alt text to the image and include basic tips on writing good alt text for images.

Embedding images

Images must be jpegs that are no wider or taller than 586px. They can be smaller.
Tip: Check out LinkedIn Learning for videos on how to prepare images for the web.

1. Place your cursor where you want the image to appear.
2. Click the Image icon found in the second row of formatting buttons – the box with mountains.
3. Click Upload, the third tab across the top.
4. Click Browse and select your jpeg image.
5. Click Sent it to the Server. This will automatically bounce you back to the Image Info tab.
   1. This will also give your image a url. If you save this url, then you can embed the image in other programs and publications on the website without having to re-upload it.
6. Add alt text. Make sure it’s a brief and literal description of the photo, tying it to the program if possible (e.g. “two 4-H girls doing backflips,” “Master Gardener taking grape-inspection notes on a clipboard” or “peaches on a tree”).
7. Delete the numbers in the Width and Height fields, leaving them blank. This keeps the image from getting distorted on tablet and mobile phone screens.
8. Make sure words don’t touch the image by adding values to the HSpace (horizontal padding) and VSpace (vertical padding) fields.
9. If you want the image to float to the right with text filling the left side change the “Alignment” to right. The opposite will occur if “Alignment” is set to the left.
10. Click OK, then preview your page by clicking Save Changes at the bottom of the edit screen, which will return you to your list of programs. Click Edit next to the program again, then click Preview Page at the top of the edit screen.
11. To edit your image, click the image and click the Image icon. Rinse and repeat until the page looks like you want it.
12. When you’re happy with the preview, click Submit for Review. Robert and Ashley will receive an email asking them to review your submission for ADA compliance. If it passes, they will allow the changes to show up on the live site. If not, they will let you know it needs fixed.

WARNING: unlike preset image types, embedded images require you to click Submit for Review when finished. Failure to submit for review means changes will not be approved for posting to the live site.

Preset images

There are three preset image types for programs and scholastic works: content blocks, banners and thumbnails. These image types show up with program and scholastic works titles and descriptions throughout the website.

Preset images are added separately and are not part of the process of adding a program or scholastic work to the database.

Each program or scholastic work can have only one of each of these image types.

Content blocks

Content blocks and thumbnails are required for a program page to be approved to show up on the website. However, after the initial approval, they can be updated without needing to contact the communication team. For programs, these images show up on the All Programs page, in the Featured Programs ribbon and as related programs within website areas and in the sidebar on publication webpages.

For publications, these images show up in the Featured Publications ribbon on the Learn About pages.

Content blocks must be:
•    800x600px (4:3 ratio)
•    .jpg
•    Less than 500kb

Banners

Banners are the long, skinny images that show up behind the program or publication name on the program or publication web page. These are optional – if you don’t add one, a stock one will be used.

Banners must be:
•    1,200 x 500px
•    .jpg
•    Less than 800kb

Thumbnails

For programs, thumbnails are what show up next to programs when a keyword search is performed in the “What do you want to learn about?” search field.

For publications, thumbnails are what show up next to publications at the bottom of Extension program pages and when a keyword search is performed in the “What do you want to learn about?” search field.

Thumbnails must be:
•    300x300px (1:1 ratio)
•    .jpg
•    Less than 200kb

How to add a preset image to a program page:

1. Use Firefox to log into the Website Assets Management System.
2. Click Extension Programs.
3. Find the program you want to add a photo to and click Images in the fourth column.
4. Click Browse and select your properly-sized jpeg image.
5. Add alt. text. Make sure it’s a brief and literal description of the photo, tying it to the program if possible (e.g. “two 4-H girls doing backflips,” “Master Gardener taking grape-inspection notes on a clipboard,” or “peaches on a tree”).
6. Mark either “Banner,” “Content Block” or “Thumbnail.”
7. Click Upload Photo. Your image will immediately show up on the live site.

How to add a preset image to a publication page:

1.    Use Firefox to log into the Website Assets Management System.
2.    Click Publications.
3.    Find the publication you want to add a photo to and click “Images” in the eighth column.
4.    Scroll to the section on the preset image type you'd like to add (e.g. Add Thumbnail Image, Add Content Block Image or Add Banner Image).
5.    Click Browse and select your properly-sized jpeg image.
6.    Add alt text. Make sure it’s a brief and literal description of the photo, tying it to the program if possible (e.g. “two 4-H girls doing backflips,” “Master Gardener taking grape-inspection notes on a clipboard,” or “peaches on a tree”).
7.    Click the Add button for the preset image type you're adding (e.g. 1x1 Thumbnail Image, 4x3 Block Image or Banner).

Links

Links disclaimer

Use when you build a webpage with links to other entities:

These links are provided for informational purposes only. Extension does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information which the listed sites may contain nor does Extension endorse any products or services these sites may provide or advocate.

Creating NevadaBox links

If you’re going to house a file in NevadaBox and link to it from your website, here are some
settings that you might want to use to secure the document from editing and to make sure that
it’s available to website users. 

Making graphs and charts accessible

Images of graphs and charts are inherently inaccessible. Information in them is not conveyed at all to people who are viewing them using a screen reader. And, information in graphs and charts can be hard to read for people with colorblindness or low vision. To make our graphs and charts as accessible as possible for all viewers, we should design our graphs and charts with accessibility and universal design principles in mind, and include extra information with our graphs and charts.

This is not only the right thing to do and the thing to do if we want our information to reach all of the communities we serve, it's required by law, University policy and our legal agreement with the Office for Civil Rights.

When designing graphs and charts

• Title graphs and charts descriptively.
• Label axes clearly.
• Add labels for each line or bar.
• Add values to bar charts.
• Use colors that have enough contrast to each other and the chart’s background color.
• Stay away from combinations of colors that people with colorblindness have trouble perceiving:
  • Blue & grey
  • Blue & purple
  • Light green & yellow
  • Green & black
  • Green & blue
  • Green & brown
  • Green & grey
  • Green & red
• Make sure the graph or chart is readable in black and white / grayscale.
• Use patterns, texture and/or symbols in your graphs and charts so that no information in them is conveyed only by color. (Example: Dot the blue line and dash the black line in your line chart and your line chart’s key.)
• Stay away from special effects.

Then, include a text summary of the graph or chart and a properly coded table of the data in the graph or chart near the graph or chart. And, in the alternate text of the graph or chart, very succinctly state the type of chart, what key trends it’s showing and “See table for data.” Also describe trends shown by the graph or chart, conclusions, and calculations in the surrounding text.

Adding accessible tables to webpages

These instructions will help people to create tables in Extension publication webpages and on Extension program webpages, provided that the tables:

• Are created to display data, not for layout
• Are simple, without merged columns or cells and without blank cells
• Include a table title (known as a caption)
• Include table headers

Note: To meet the requirements of federal law and University policies on accessibility, if tables for Extension publication and program webpages were not created as described above, you may need to adjust them and/or learn more about using HTML to create tables. Common adjustments for tables not created with accessibility in mind include:

• Changing the columns in a complex table to simplify its layout
• Splitting complex tables into multiple simple tables
• Inserting provided snippets of HTML code

To learn more, see the section on complex tables below.

Features of a properly coded table

• Caption
• Column and row headers
• Data cells associated with their headers
• No blank or merged data cells

Making simple tables accessible

1. Click the Create Table button in the WYSIWYG.
   • WYSIWYG stands for "what you see is what you get." It's the system that allows you to create and edit web content without having to know too much code. Its similar to how Word allows you to create and edit documents. It looks like two rows of big friendly buttons, including the buttons to bold and italicize text.
   • When working on an Extension publication webpage, the WYSIWYG is located directly under the "Webpage Version of Publications" header.  When working on an Extension program webpage, the WYSIWYG is located directly under the "Long Description - serving as your program's webpage" header.
   • The table button is in the WYSIWYG's second row's sixth button group. It looks like a dark gray and white rectangle that is divided into smaller squares.
     
2. Once you click the Create Table button, a Table Properties box will pop up.
3. On the box's Table Properties tab, complete the following fields.
   • Rows: Enter the number of rows you expect to have. You can change the number of rows in your table later.
   • Columns: Enter the number of columns you expect to have. You can change the number of columns in your table later.
   • Headers: Headers allow screenreader users to experience the table similarly to how sighted users do visually. Your table must have headers. If it doesn't, it's not accessible. Per University policy, inaccessible tables cannot be posted on our websites.
     • First Row: Select if the first row of your table is labels for each column.
     • First Column: Select if the first column of your table is labels for each row.
     • Both: Select if the first row of your table is labels for each column AND the first column of your table is labels for each row. 
   • Caption: The table caption is the title of the table. For example, "Table 1: Top competitive banana eaters 2020."  Your table must have a caption. If it doesn't, it's not accessible. Per University policy, inaccessible tables cannot be posted on our websites.
     
   • Note: Completing the header and caption fields provides enough accessibility markup for most simple tables. If you have a complex table on your hands, you may need to adjust it, split it into multiple tables and/or learn more about using HTML to create tables. See the section on complex tables below.
4. Click the OK button. You should now see a blank table in the WYSIWYG's text box. Important: The blank table should include a caption, and its header cells should be a different color than the regular cells. If the table you're seeing doesn't match this description, you'll need to delete the table and try again.
   
5. Enter your table's data by clicking in each of its cells and typing in the cells' values.
   • Copy and paste the values without formatting if working from an existing table. To do this, paste by holding down ctrl+shift+v. If you don't, the WYSIWYG will attempt to carry over formatting from the original document. It likely won't work well and may make your table fail to meet branding and/or acccessibility requirements. If you forget this step, you may be able to fix it by clicking the remove format button in the WYSIWYG. It's the last button in the first row. It looks like an italicized and underlined capital T next to a subscript x.
     
   • Complete all cells. Do not leave cells blank. If you are working from a table created without accessibility in mind, you may have to figure out what a blank cell meant in the mind of the table's original author. Did it mean the data collected for that cell was 0? Did it mean data for that cell was not collected at all? You may need to ask the table's original author to clarify. Then, enter the appropriate value. It's OK to enter 0, N/A or not applicable, if that's indeed what should go there. Your table must not have blank cells. If it does, it's not accessible. Per University policy, inaccessible tables cannot be posted on our websites.
   • Leave cells separate. Do not merge cells. It's tempting, but for accessibility, do not merge cells. If you are working from a table created without accessibility in mind, you may need to change or add more columns to avoid merged cells. Or, you may need to split the complex table into several simple tables to avoid merged cells. To learn more, see the section on complex tables below. Your table must not have merged cells. If it does, it's not accessible. Per University policy, inaccessible tables cannot be posted on our websites.
   • Add columns and rows, as needed. But remember, the number of columns and rows in the table must be uniform throughout it. Do not add or delete cells so that a row or column is longer or shorter than the others. Your table must have a uniform number of rows and columns. If it doesn't, it's not accessible. Per University policy, inaccessible tables cannot be posted on our websites.
     • To add another row to the table, right click in it. Choose row in the box that pops up. Then, choose insert row before or insert row after. Or, click in the last cell of the last row of the table. Then, press the Tab key on your keyboard. To delete a row from the table, right click in it. Choose row in the box that pops up. Then, choose delete row.
       
     • To add another column to the table, right click in it. Choose column in the box that pops up. Then, choose insert column before or insert column after. To delete a column from the table, right click in it. Choose column in the box that pops up. Then, choose delete column.

Strategies to make complex tables accessible

Change it

This table isn't accessible. First, it's posted as an image, and text on images isn't accessible. It can't be read by screen reader users, and users who magnify the screen will struggle with a pixelated image that they have to scroll back and forth to view. Second, it includes multiple merged header cells. This would make it impossible for a screen reader to read the table to a user in a way that makes sense.

To make the above table accessible, we can change the table's layout. Be mindful that changing the table's layout can change how the data in the table is perceived. For example, changing the layout to the following places emphasis on and orders the data by the competitive banana eater's name. If the publication author or program lead would rather draw attention to and order the data by the state or number of bananas eaten instead, then we'd need to order the columns differently. Knowing the purpose of the table, the point it's trying to convey, will help you to choose the most appropriate accessible layout.

Table 1: Top competitive banana eaters 2020

Name	State	Bananas eaten
Ashley	Nevada	31
Molly	Nevada	33
Robert	California	35
Shauna	California	39

Split it

Another way to make the above inaccessible table accessible is to split it in two. Again, be mindful of how the change in layout may impact how well the table gets its point across.

Table 1: Top competitive banana eaters in Nevada 2020

Name	Bananas eaten
Ashley	31
Molly	33

Table 2: Top competitive banana eaters in California 2020

Name	Bananas eaten
Robert	35
Shauna	39

Code it

Another way we can make complex tables more accessible is by sharpening our HTML skills.

Code a total row

If your table includes a total row, you'll need to add a snippet of code to your table to help make it easier to read. This doesn't do anything for screen reader users, but it does set the row apart visually for sighted users. This can increase comprehension, especially among people with cognitive impairments.

1. First, complete all of the steps under the making simple tables accessible section.
2. Then, click on the source button in the WYSIWYG. It's the first button in the first row of the WYSIWYG. It says source on it and looks like a piece of paper with a clipped right corner.
   
3. Find your table in the code by either scrolling to it or using ctrl+f to search for something unique in the table's contents.
4. Once you find your table in the code, you'll paste the following code after the closing caption tag </caption> and before the opening table header tag <thead>: <tfoot> <tr> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> </tr> </tfoot>
   
5. Now, switch back to regular view by clicking the source button in the WYSIWYG.
6. If the total row of your table has four cells in it, you're all set. If not, you'll need to add or remove cells from the total row until it has the same number of cells as the other rows in the table. To add cells, you'll right click in the total row, choose cell and select insert cell before or insert cell after. To remove cells, you'll right click in the total row, choose cell and select delete cell. It's important not to skip this step.  Your table must have a uniform number of rows and columns. If it doesn't, it's not accessible. Per University policy, inaccessible tables cannot be posted on our websites.
7. Finally, enter your total row's data by clicking in each cell of the row and typing in the cells' values.

Using data visualizations in webpages

These instructions will help people to add data visualizations to Extension scholastic works and program webpages in ways that are more accessible, provided those visualizations:

• Are simple.
• Use good color contrast.
• Use the appropriate chart type for the data.
• Feature clear axes labels, and legends and keys.
• Are accompanied by source and contact information.
• Use appropriate, clear and ethical scales for the data.
• Use secondary indicators of meaning,such as patterns or shapes, when meaning is conveyed by color.
• Where possible, use code to display the visualization instead of an image.
• Where possible, spell out the data's values.

Note: To meet the requirements of federal law and University policies on accessibility, if visualizations for Extension publication and program webpages were not created as described above, you may need to redesign them. Complex visualizations, such as infographics, are particularly challenging to design well. One tactic that may work is splitting complex visualizations into several simple ones. To learn more about working with complex images, see the Diagram Center's image description guidelines.

Images of a data visualizations

1. First, ensure your data visualization was designed with accessibility in mind. See the introduction above to learn more. If it wasn't designed with accessibility in mind, you will need to redesign it before moving to the next step.
2. Insert the data viz into the webpage as an image, following the instructions on embedding images.
3. Then, follow this formula to create alternate text for the image of the data visualization: "Chart type of type of data where reason for including the chart." (Cesal). Here are a few examples:
   • Example 1: Graph or chart - "Line graph of number of bananas eaten per day in 2020 where more bananas are eaten during the COVID-19 pandemic."
   • Example 2: Diagram - "Lifecycle of the banana plant where its two phases are vegetative and reproductive."
4. Include a link to where a person can obtain all of the data/info that was presented visually in the data visualization in its image caption. Here are a few image caption examples:
   • Example 1: Data you got from somewhere else - "Figure 1: Bananas eaten per day in 2020. Data from the USDA's 2020 Bananas Report." Link the text "USDA's 2020 Bananas Report" to the report on the USDA's webpage.
     • If the data isn't available on the USDA's website (at the time of publication and/or publication recertification), either:
       • Best option: Add "See Table 1." to the end of the caption, insert a table in the pulication that contains all of the data from the chart, and link the text "See Table 1" to the table. See the instructions on adding accessible tables to webpages.
       • Other option: Add info on requesting the report to the caption. "The report is available by request to bananas@usda.gov." Know that you will need to field requests from people if the USDA cannot fulfill requests accessibly, quickly or at all.
   • Example 2: Data you collected - "Figure 1: Bananas eaten per day in 2020. See Table 1." Insert a table in the publication that contains all of the data from the chart, and link the text "See Table 1" to the table. See the instructions on adding accessible tables to webpages.
   • Example 3: Diagram with info that was explained in the webpage - "Figure 1: The lifecycle of a banana plant. See Where do bananas come from?" Link the "See Where do bananas come from?" text to that heading in the document.

     

   • Example 4: Diagram with info that was not explained in the webpage - First, consider adding a section to your webpage to explain your diagram. This will help everyone to better understand both your webpage and your diagram. If you make this change, you'll then follow Example 3 above. If you don't (WHY??!), then you'll follow this example: "Figure 1: The lifecycle of a banana plant includes two phases. The first phase is the vegetative phase. In this stage, the plant... The second is the reproductive phase. In this stage, the plant... (include all detail from the graphic)."
   • Note: People pay attention to captions. You can take advantage of that attention to drive home the point of your data viz. This will help people with cognitive impairments to understand your point. Here's how:
     • Traditional caption: "Figure 1: Bananas eaten per day in 2020. See Table 1."
     • Point-driven caption: "Figure 1: Banana consumption soars during the pandemic. See table 1."

Important: The alternate text and the image caption should not be identical.

Coding data visualizations

If you know how to code, you may insert data visualizations into Extension publication and progam webpages provided that your code is accessible. Accessible materials are defined by the WC3 as perceivable, operable, understandable and robust. Here are standards and recommendations to guide you:

• University accessibility policy
• University benchmarks for accessibility
• WC3 standards for animation: 1.2, 2.2 and 2.3
• WC3 standards for color: 1.4.1, 1.4.3 and 1.4.11
• WC3 standards for interaction: 2.1, 1.4.13 and 2.4.3
• WC3 draft standards/recommendations for SVGs

Here are layouts and icons to use in your designs.

When you paste your code into the webpage, do so in the source view of the WYSIWYG. To switch to the source view, click the source button in the WYSIWYG. It's the first button in the first row of the WYSIWYG. It says source on it and looks like a piece of paper with a clipped right corner.

For an accessible simple infographic example, see the Kickoff to Kindergarten story in volume 33 of our College's newsletter.

References

• Cesal, A. (2020, August 11). Writing Alt Text for Data Visualization.

Sept. 29, 2009

Policy on purchasing internet domain names

What's a domain name?

A domain name or host name is a name which, when entered into the address box on an internet browser, points/forwards the browser to a specific server on the internet. Extension's domain name is extension.unr.edu. Sometimes, a shorter domain name that is specific to a program name is purchased for marketing purposes. This shorter domain name would point/forward a user to a specific location on a website, such as the Extension website.

If I want to purchase a domain name, what do I need to do?

First, contact the College's director of communications and get permission to purchase a domain name. Domain names are generally a multi-year commitment, i.e. a name we want our audiences to remember and use to find us well into the future. Once approved, the following information should be sent to the College's webmaster:

1. The domain name you want to purchase.
2. The URL you want the domain name to point to, i.e. the page on one of the College's websites that you want the user linked to when they type the domain name into their address box.
3. The account number the purchase should be charged to.

Important notes

Domain names should only be purchased when:

• Continual funding is available
• There is an ongoing staffing commitment for keeping the site updated
• The program ongoing.

Expired domain names can be purchased by anyone and repointed to anywhere they please. Reportedly some organizations have let their domain names expire and those domain names were subsequently purchased by devious companies who pointed them to porn sites. When the organizations asked to buy the domain names back, the domain names were held hostage and they were asked to pay thousands of dollars.

When considering the purchase of a domain name, please recognize the name will direct users to a location other than our websites' homepages. Preferably, we want to direct users to our websites' homepages to get a broad overview of our diverse programs and read our feature stories and news. This way, they'll:

• Have an idea of the important issues our College is addressing.
• Help spread the word to their family, friends, neighbors and decision makers.

While a limited number of domain names will direct specific audiences to the resources they seek, too many domain names will bypass our websites' homepages and could hinder efforts to market our diverse programs to multiple audiences.