The University Websites Policy establishes two required roles for the management of websites at Ohio State:
Web roles define clear responsibilities, ensure accountability, and facilitate effective web governance to ensure websites are in compliance with the policy.
Every site should have one person who can verify site content, management, process, and quality and be accountable for governance. A web lead is typically responsible for either making changes on the site or assigning and managing the work on a site.
Sometimes referred to as a web manager or owner, this individual or entity has the ultimate responsibility for the overall management of the website and complying with this policy and serves as the main point of contact regarding a website’s content, design, and compliance. A web lead must be identified and submitted in the Digital Inventory System for each university website.
An individual or entity responsible for overseeing and managing the technical aspects of a website's operation, maintenance, and development. This role ensures that the website functions optimally, remains secure, and meets the needs of the organization and its users. A technical manager must be identified and submitted in the Digital Inventory System for each osu.edu and ohio-state.edu website.
The Digital Inventory System is used to manage and track university websites. It will organize, store, and retrieve data and policy compliance information related to websites.
Web leads are required to manage websites in the system. Your web lead or technical lead can login to maintain records. If you need to change your web lead or your technical manager, you may request support below.
In addition to establishing roles and responsibilities in the policy, the revised University Websites Policy:
You can view a full list of changes and read the proposed policy on the Office of Compliance and Integrity’s website.
If a web lead or technical manager changes roles or leaves the university, the roles should be re-assigned as soon as possible. If a role remains unfilled, the Web Governance Council will ask the unit to assign someone to fill these roles.
In addition to day-to-day projects and work, a web lead will refer to the Web Protocol and Standards that is published with the policy. This resource outlines the minimum suggested ideas to maintain a healthy, accessible, usable website: accessibility, compliance, brand standards, good design, search engine optimization and more.
In some cases, we know the web lead can also be the technical manager. For continuity and contingency, try to assign different people.
You can have any combination of the same or different web lead and technical managers assigned for your websites, as long as there is an assignment for each role for websites in the Digital Inventory System.
Search websites in the inventory. Web leads and technical managers can learn how to maintain the data in the inventory.
The policy does not require annual audits of sites. However, it is highly suggested to maintain sites and up keep your Digital Inventory records on a regular basis.
The Web Governance Council will communicate changes or updates to the policy via occasional email and web updates. More information on the Web Governance Council will be posted on the Office of Marketing and Communications website.
Anyone creating or managing a university website on the domains osu.edu, ohio-state.edu, and osumc.edu must adhere to the policy and processes to create and maintain websites that comply with university policies and rules, as well as local, state, and federal laws.
Websites that are not related to the business of Ohio State are not considered in scope. Student organization websites and u.osu.edu websites are not in scope. But generally, if the website represents Ohio State, and is doing business as Ohio State, a website is considered in scope.
Generally, the inventory should be supporting active osu.edu websites being promoted, managed, and maintained. However, retired or archived websites can be included in the inventory if redirects are still managed.
This page last updated 6/03/2025.