Web Development

Roles and Responsibilities
These roles and responsibilities define the activities involved in posting a Web page to our servers. These roles are meant as approximations—individuals may serve several functions or may only serve one.

Web Content Owner – an individual responsible for generating and defining content (graphics, text or media) to be placed on a Web server. This individual may have minimal Web development experience and does not necessarily have publishing privileges on a University Web server (e.g. faculty member, department chair).

The Web Content Owner is responsible for:

• ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of the content presented;
• regularly updating and keeping published content current;
• understanding and complying with copyright, privacy, intellectual property and libel laws; and,
• approving final content for Web pages.

Web Author – an individual responsible for creating and maintaining Web pages but may not have publishing privileges on a University Web server. This person may have minimal experience with HTML coding and information technology (e.g. an administrative assistant).

The Web Author is responsible for:

• offering site visitors pages that represent professional design and quality presentation;
• abiding by UTHSC-H’s Web publishing and identity standards, and applicable Federal and State of Texas Web requirements; and,
• responding in a timely fashion to inquiries and comments concerning the published material.

Web Publisher – an individual responsible for posting Web pages and materials to a university Web server. Typically has extensive Web development experience and has publishing privileges on a university Web server (e.g. Web site content coordinator). This person has been trained in Federal, State and University Web publishing policies and guidelines, as well as usability and navigation best practices.

The Web Publisher is responsible for:

• responding in a timely fashion to inquiries and comments directed at one’s published material;
• abiding by UTHSC-H’s Web publishing and identity standards, and complying with applicable Federal and State of Texas Web requirements; and,
• approving final content architecture, design and coding for all Web pages published within their area.

Web Site Owner - the current acting director or manager for the entity posting information to a specific university server. Typically the Web Site Owner has extensive knowledge of the university’s Web standards and guidelines (e.g. school Web department managers, IT managers).

The Web Site Owner is responsible for:

• directing and controlling the Web pages and materials posted to a particular site on a university server ;
• abiding by UTHSC-H’s Web publishing and identity standards, and complying with applicable Federal and State of Texas Web requirements; and,
• approving access rights to sub-folders or directories within the server space.

Web Developers Group – this group facilitates communication of policies, procedures, information and training to the campus Web Authors, Web Content Owners and Web Publishers. This group also serves as a forum for intra-communication among the university’s Web publishers. The Web publishers will consist of all individuals publishing Web documents on a university server.

Web Developers Group Steering Team – the steering team shares expertise and common experiences across school, departmental and unit boundaries and serves as a university-wide forum for Web publishers to exchange both technical and content knowledge on university Web publishing requirements. Comments, thoughts, and recommendations are shared with the University’s Web Council and coordinated with the Co-Directors of Web Development. The Steering Team is chaired by the Co-Directors of Web Development with lead web development representatives from the six schools and various administrative departments.

The Steering Team is responsible for:

• acquiring and sharing new Web publishing and usability skills;
• implementing best practices in school/departmental Web presence;
• sharing information with others in the publishers group and the Web Development Department concerning best practices and challenges;
• relaying information and recommendations to school/department Web content providers.

Co-Directors of Web Development - currently two individuals serve on an interim basis as joint Directors of Web Development. The Interim Co-Directors facilitate the development of Web standards and compliance across the university and are establishing a Web Development Department. The Co-Directors report to the Vice President of Public Affairs and the Web Council.

The Co-Directors are responsible for:

• maintaining and updating Tier 1 of the University’s Web presence;
• developing and implementing a strategic plan for a leading academic health center Web presence;
• providing standards and policies for Web development at UTHSC-H and ensuring the university Web presence complies with all state, federal and system requirements, as well as institutional policies, procedures and standards;
• providing leadership and training on best practices to all Web publishers;
• ensuring usability standards and design/content integrity are maintained throughout the university Web presence; and,
• continually analyzing and evaluating the university Web presence in pursuit of keeping pace with Web technology best practices within higher education.

Web Council – the Web Council advises UTHSC-H executive leadership on the strategic direction of the university Web presence. The council depends on the knowledge, insight and collective wisdom of its members and representatives to create, and advance the university Web strategy.

The Web Council is responsible for:

• serving as a resource in determining the strategic directions for the university Web presence;
• advising the director and staff of the Web Development Department;
• recommending Web policies and procedures to appropriate university councils for their approval; and,
• facilitating broad-based communication and input into the strategic use of and directions for the Web presence across the university.

Web Development Organization Chart

Date modified: 08/18/2008