Web Standards

All Tulane websites must use approved platforms, templates and layouts and comply with university requirements for branding, accessibility, hosting, security and applicable laws and regulations.

Hosting and Platform Requirements

To maintain appropriate levels of security, integrity and continuity, all Tulane websites must be hosted on university-approved systems. Public-facing websites must be created and maintained using Tulane-approved content management systems (CMS), the university's event management system (WaveSync), customer relationship management (CRM) systems or other approved web platforms.

Approved Web Platforms

  • Drupal: Drupal is Tulane's primary content management system for schools, departments, administrative units and other approved university entities. Because Drupal sites require ongoing university resources for hosting, maintenance, security and support, requests for new Drupal sites are subject to review and approval by University Communications and Marketing (UCM).
  • WordPress: Tulane IT offers WordPress as an alternative CMS for websites that do not require or are not approved for a standalone Drupal site. WordPress is the standard platform for student organization websites and should be used for student organization web content.
  • Other university systems, including WaveSync and approved CRM platforms, may be appropriate depending on the purpose and audience of the content.

Drupal Site Eligibility

Tulane Drupal websites support the official web presence of university schools, departments, administrative units and other recognized university entities.

A request for a standalone Drupal site should demonstrate:

  • Official university purpose: The site represents an official Tulane entity and supports a clear university business, academic or communications need.
  • Sufficient content and scope: The amount, type and organization of content justify maintaining a standalone website.
  • A need for a distinct web presence: The site's purpose and audience cannot be more effectively served by incorporating the content into an existing Tulane website.
  • Defined ownership: The associated unit has identified a faculty or staff member who will be accountable for the website and serve as its primary contact.
  • Resources for ongoing maintenance: The requesting organization has appropriate staff resources to actively manage and maintain the website over time.

UCM reviews requests based on the site's purpose, audience, content, relationship to existing Tulane websites and available maintenance resources. Content that is limited in scope or closely related to an existing Tulane website may be incorporated into that site rather than maintained as a separate Drupal site.

Site Ownership and Maintenance

Each Drupal website must have a designated site administrator - a faculty or staff owner responsible for its content, maintenance and overall management.

Site administrators are expected to log in to Drupal regularly to review and update content. This includes:

  • Maintaining accurate, current content and associated website assets, including links, documents and images.
  • Following university brand and web content standards.
  • Maintaining compliance with accessibility requirements and addressing issues identified through university-provided tools such as DubBot.
  • Coordinating with UCM when significant changes to the site's purpose, ownership or structure occur.

The associated university organization must ensure that sufficient staff resources remain available to maintain the site and meet these requirements throughout its lifecycle.

Accessibility and Quality Assurance

Tulane is committed to providing accessible digital experiences. Site administrators and content creators must follow accessibility requirements and use university-provided resources, including DubBot and Drupal Guide, to identify and address accessibility and quality assurance issues.

Ongoing Site Review and Compliance

Approval of a Drupal site represents an ongoing commitment to maintaining an accurate, accessible and effective university web presence. UCM may periodically review Drupal sites to determine whether they continue to meet university web standards and the requirements for a standalone site.

A site may be reviewed when it:

  • No longer has an active or identifiable owner.
  • Is not being actively maintained.
  • Contains outdated, inaccurate or substantially incomplete content.
  • Has significant or recurring accessibility or quality assurance issues that are not being addressed.
  • No longer warrants a standalone website because of limited or overlapping content.
  • Does not comply with applicable university policies or web standards.

Depending on the circumstances, the UCM web team may work with the associated school or department to update the site, establish new ownership, move or consolidate content or retire the site.

UCM reserves the right to modify, restrict or retire websites or web content when necessary to address university policy, accessibility, security, legal, quality assurance or other institutional requirements.

Questions and Support

Questions about web standards, Drupal site eligibility or maintaining an existing Tulane website may be submitted through UCM Support Request form.