Words on Websites #5
This issue of Words on Websites was originally sent to the Rutgers Communicators Network on December 18, 2025
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🌐Rutgers Web Policy Update | Accessibility Webinar
Greetings, Rutgers Communicators
This is your next installment of Words on Websites. These occasional emails offer information on best practices for website content management and production. Today’s email focuses on some important changes to the university’s website policy.
The Rutgers University Website Policy (80.1.7) governs all websites representing Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, including all websites under the ‘rutgers.edu’ domain, its subdomains, and all other domain categories that represent any entity of Rutgers, such as rutgershealth.org or rutgersfoundation.org. This policy was recently updated. Please take a few minutes to review the policy.
🔎Overview of Notable Changes to the Policy
- Removes the requirement of annual website recertification
- Clarifies expectations of official website usage
- States that website content should align with the mission and values of the university
- States that the university may curtail or redirect traffic to websites in violation of the website policy
- Revises the requirement for copyright statement text in the website footer
❓Why Did the Policy Change?
The changes to the website policy are a collection of edits to remove or revise outdated information and further clarify the scope and expectations of the policy.
A notable change to the policy is the sunsetting of the annual website recertification requirement. This requirement had already been quietly dropped, but the new policy language makes the change official.
This policy update also establishes that content on Rutgers’ websites should align with the mission and values of the university and support the defined purpose of the responsible department. It was further revised to explicitly state that misuse of a Rutgers website by an employee or unit can lead to disciplinary action, and suspension or reclamation of the website domain.
You can read the full, revised website policy here.
🖥️Digital Content Accessibility Webinar
Rutgers is getting ready for the adoption of the Department of Justice’s new Title II rule that requires that all web and mobile content provided by state and local governments—including public universities—meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards by April 2026.
A lot of work has been happening to ensure that our content, websites, courses and other digital tools are accessible to the widest audience.
To aid Rutgers communicators, UCM will host a webinar featuring a lineup of accessibility experts at the university. There will be representation from OIT-Accessibility, Academic Affairs, University Compliance, and School of Arts and Sciences.
The webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, January 28, 2026 from 2pm - 3:15pm.
The webinar will include:
- An overview of ADA Title II, Rutgers accessibility policy, and expectations
- Tips for creating accessible content and remediating inaccessible content
- Suggestions for resources and training opportunities
- Q&A session
A calendar invite has been sent to the Communicators Network. Registration is required, please register here.
Submit your questions to the panel for Q&A in advance using this form.
Until next time.