Website Governance
We maintain a consistent, high-quality, and brand-aligned web presence that supports recruitment, institutional credibility, and enhances the user experience.
Hybrid Centralized Governance Model
We follow a centralized, but coordinated approach across departments that places strategic oversight and content quality in the hands of a small, expert web team, while empowering trained partners to make localized updates. Our governance model aims to maintain clarity, accuracy, and accessibility standards.
- Centralized Authority: The Strategic Communications & Marketing Web Team retains ownership of all high-impact areas. This includes the following:
- Homepage
- Academic program pages
- Admissions and Cost & Aid pages
- Main navigation, global design, and branding elements
- Decentralized Editing: Individuals across departments may request access to edit content within their area after completing required web training to understand how to apply best practices for search, accessibility and overall content.
Key Roles & Responsibilities
| Role | Description |
|---|---|
| Strategic Communications & Marketing Web Team | Oversees strategy, core content, publishing standards, QA, training, and support. Final authority for content decisions. |
| Content Editors | Trained users with permission to revise assigned pages. All updates are reviewed and approved by the Web Team prior to publication. |
| Subject-Matter Experts | Provide authoritative content and approvals. While they do not have direct CMS access, they can submit updates via the Web Request Form. |
Website Content Protocols
This section outlines the day-to-day standards and workflows that support our collaborative content model. From publishing processes and editorial guidelines to training and quality tools, these protocols are designed to help web editors and contributors keep their content accurate, on-brand, and effective for all users.
Our publishing workflow shows how content changes are submitted, reviewed, and approved across the university website.
- Edits from content editors are reviewed and approved by the StratCom Web Team before publishing.
- Subject-matter experts or general users may request updates via the Web Project & Update Request Form.
- Turnaround time for requests is typically:
- 2–3 business days for small edits
- 5–7 business days for larger revisions
- Major strategic changes are reviewed by the Web Team and, if needed, brought to Strategic Communications & Marketing Leadership for further discussion.
Our web content standards help ensure a consistent and high-quality user experience.
The Website Style Guide outlines:
- Best practices for content structure, accessibility, and branding
- What types of content StratCom directly manages (e.g., homepage, program pages, global branding)
- Formatting guidelines for images, links, and video
- Training resources and CMS support documentation
- Frequently asked questions about access, turnaround time, and responsibilities
This guide is regularly updated and serves as the definitive reference for all web editors and stakeholders.
Before gaining editing access to the site, web editors must complete introductory web training.
- Training includes:
- CMS use and best practices
- Accessibility and SEO
- Guidance on writing and formatting elements for the web
- Brand alignment and editorial voice
- Refresher trainings are offered periodically to reinforce quality standards.
Ongoing content reviews and audits help us maintain accuracy and compliance. This section explains how we monitor quality, what tools we use, and how content owners/editors are expected to keep pages up to date.
- While the Web Team conducts periodic content reviews, we really rely on the university community to help identify outdated, inaccurate, or low-quality content. We strongly encourage faculty, staff, and other site contributors to promptly report any necessary updates to ensure information remains accurate and useful.
- Content flagged as outdated, inaccurate, or low quality may be updated or unpublished.
- Editors who do not comply with standards may lose access until additional training is completed.
- The Web Team utilizes Sitio, an AI-powered digital governance platform, which is designed to help us manage and optimize our online presence.
We aim to build a supportive community of editors who understand the strategic role of the website.
Our digital culture establishes:
- Web editors who are equipped and empowered to maintain their content areas effectively
- A community that respects a centralized structure which ensures content consistency, brand alignment, and accessibility
- Continuous improvement that is supported through training, collaboration, and strategic oversight
Website Style Guide
The Website Style Guide is your essential resource for creating and managing content across the CU website. Explore best practices, templates, tutorials, and tools to help you build consistent, accessible, and high-quality web pages.
