Website Content Ownership and Governance

Content on seattleu.edu (the Seattle University public website) is governed through defined ownership structures and editorial controls.

This article outlines how website content is governed, including ownership categories and the appropriate channels for requesting updates.

Website content falls into three governance categories: Authoritative, Core, and Non-Core. The Seattle University Marketing Communications (MarCom) Web Team retains final authority over all website content, regardless of category.

Authoritative content is content that is owned and controlled by the Seattle University Marketing Communications (MarCom) Web Team.

It's easy to spot these Authoritative areas of our website as they all descend from the four major URL groups that you see in our banner navigation.

Open

• seattleu.edu/admissions-aid/

• seattleu.edu/academics/

• seattleu.edu/life-at-seattle-u/

• seattleu.edu/who-we-are/

If a page you want to edit begins with any of these URL paths, you will know the content is Authoritative and is updated under the guidance of the MarCom Web Team.

In some cases, the MarCom Web Team will assign moderators who are subject matter experts to manage specific sections or pages within the Authoritative sections. In cases like this, the MarCom Web Team will always be connected to the editorial process of content change.

One such case where the MarCom Web Team collaborates with subject matter experts is the Program Finder. All changes to any program page or its child pages are approved by Elle Archer. However, most of the changes and updates made to program pages come from the Web Marketing Leads, as they have the expertise and background to understand the most recent information that applies to their programs.

If you are a new editor and need updates in these sections, it is very important to first connect with your supervisor or Web Marketing Lead to understand your department’s process for making changes to these webpages.

If you are still determining who to contact regarding updates for any page, please email the Marketing Communications Web Team for further guidance.

Core content is not always obvious by looking at the URL path, but editors will not have access to these systems and will need to submit update requests to MarCom’s Web Team's ticketing system.

Here are the two primary Core assets:

• Faculty and Staff Directory

• University News

The Faculty and Staff Directory contains employee contact information as well as personal biographies. Each profile is tagged with specific taxonomies to make the item searchable and to help editors populate carousel and list feeds of faculty and staff on their non-core pages.

Directory profile pages are created and removed through automation.

There is no need to submit a request to remove an existing directory page when an employee leaves the university or to submit a request to add a new employee to the directory shortly after the employee starts working at Seattle University. However, exceptions may occur. If an employee directory profile page still needs to be added or removed after 60 days of starting or ending their position at Seattle University, please email the Marketing Communications Web Team.

Requesting changes to bio information or taxonomies on existing directory pages is a simple process of submitting a Web Directory Update Form request.

For more information, see How to Update a Bio Page.

University News is solely managed by the Marketing Communications News Team. If you have a story idea to pitch, please connect with the Managing Editor Tina Potterf.

Non-core content is all of the content that is neither Authoritative or Core content. Examples of Non-Core content includes college microsites and most departments.

Please contact a Web Marketing Lead for information and guidance regarding how to update any Non-Core section.

If you are unsure who to contact regarding updates for any page, please email the Marketing Communications Web Team for further guidance.