Page History

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• A page’s call to action (fill out this form, make an appointment, attend this workshop) should be at the top of the page with the text hyperlinked to any relevant form or contact info
• Try to incorporate links into the body of your text
  • Avoid linking words like "click here."
  • For example, "The School of Undergraduate Studies College oversees course flags and Signature Courses."
• Each page should speak to one audience
  • For example, there should not be information for students and information for faculty on one page
• Keep paragraphs short with one main idea that is summarized in the heading
• The entirety of a page’s content should fit on one screen without having to scroll
  • If there is a lot of excess content that you really can’t cut, make a new page and link to it within the text
• Link building names on your pages to their corresponding online maps on first reference
  • For example, "Visit the Office of the Dean in MAI 202."
  • There is no need to include a link to the same building if it is mentioned multiple times on one page
• Always link email addresses to names or prompts when available
  • For example: “Please email us or call 512-471-8800 for more information.”

Images

• All images must have an alt tag. This ensures that site visitors using screen readers and other web accessibility devices can know the content of the image.
• The alt tag should clearly describe the main content of the image. Take a moment to write something that reflects what you see. 
  • For example: "Richard Reddick shakes hands with President Hartzell"
• The alt tag should never be the same as the filename.
  • CORRECT: <img src="Richard Reddick.jpg" alt="Richard Reddick shakes hands with President Hartzell" />
  • INCORRECT: <img src="Richard Reddick.jpg" alt="Richard Reddick" />

Common Style Issues

Capitalization and Punctuation

• Never use two spaces after a period
• Use ampersands in page and program titles but not within body text, unless referencing a page or program title
• Always capitalize “The” in “The University of Texas.”
• Always reference the university as "The University of Texas at Austin" on first reference 
  • "UT" is acceptable on second
• Never capitalize “university”, “school”, or “college” mid-sentence Always capitalize “University” mid-sentence, never “school” or “college” unless using a proper name
  • “I work for The University of Texas at Austin. The university is a good employerUniversity is made up of many different colleges and schools.”
• Never capitalize “the” in “the School of Undergraduate Studies” College” mid-sentence
• Never capitalize the semester name (e.g. spring, summer, fall) mid-sentence
• Never capitalize a subject or department unless using a proper name or a course title
  • CORRECT: “Students can enroll in chemistry courses from the College of Natural Sciences.”
  • CORRECT: “She “They majored in physics and English.”
  • CORRECT: “She is “They are a faculty member in the Department of Sociology.”
  • CORRECT: “She is “They are a faculty member in the sociology department.”
  • INCORRECT: “He is “They are taking Chemistry, Art History, and Biology courses this semester.”
• Never capitalize “bachelor’s” or “master’s” degree mid-sentence
• Always use punctuation in degree abbreviations
  • For example: Ph.D., M.A., M.Ed., etc.
• Always Do not use the Oxford comma with a list of three or more things
  • CORRECT: “She is “They are taking art history, biology , and math courses this semester.”
  • INCORRECT: “He is “They are majoring in English, biology, and Spanish.”
• Capitalize job titles only when used before a name
  • CORRECT: “Brent Iverson “Richard Reddick is dean of the School of Undergraduate StudiesCollege.”
  • CORRECT: “Dean Brent Iverson Richard Reddick will attend the luncheon hosted by President FenvesHartzell.”
  • CORRECT: "Richard Reddick, dean of the Undergraduate College, will attend a lunch hosted by President Hartzell."
  • INCORRECT: “The President spoke at our dinner on Tuesday night.”

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• Use the following formats for times: “4-5 p.m.” / “2:30 a.m.-5 p.m.” / “4:30-5:30 p.m.”
• Use the following formats for dates: “Sept. 1, 2017” 2024” / “September 2017” 2024” / “Thursday, Sept. 2, 2017”2024”
• Never use suffixes with dates e.g. “Oct. 3^rd” or “Nov. 4^th”
• Never use parenthesis with phone numbers
  • CORRECT: 512-471-4486
  • INCORRECT: (512) 471-4486
• Always spell out numbers one through ten--use numerals from 11 on

 Program-specific Styles

Bridging Disciplines Programs

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• Always capitalize First-Year Interest Group (FIG), First-Year Experience (FYE), Transfer-Year Experience (TYE), 360 First-Year Connection, Signature Course, and Helen and Jeff Herbert Family University Lecture Series

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• Avoid using "Frequently Asked Questions" pages as a catch-all for information on your site
• If information is requested often enough to be included as an FAQ, it should be addressed in the front-facing content of your site
• Think of ways to clump the content into easier-to-navigate pages 

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