Why is this policy necessary?
It is incumbent upon the University of Georgia to make it clear
to visitors of
Web sites under the purview of the University that the opinions on
certain Web sites are not those of the institution. Furthermore, the
climate of diverse opinion present at the University is enriched
and protected by creating a mechanisim of accountability to ensure
that individual opinions are not presumed by a reader to reflect an
official opinion of the University.
How was the policy developed?
A Web Site Disclaimer Policy Committee was established in November 2004.
This committee, made up of members from the
President's Office, Legal Affairs, Public Affairs, and the Office of the
Chief Information Officer, drafted a policy statement in
January 2005. The policy was evaluated by UGA deans, vice presidents, and
information technology leadership before approval by University Cabinet
on April 21, 2005.
Do research and professional papers that clearly identify the individuals
who have authored the paper require the disclaimer?
In many cases, no. Research papers and professional publications do not
require the disclaimer. Papers promoting or supporting a position or view
that is not easily identifiable as associated with the teaching, research,
or public service missions of the University do require the disclaimer.
Do research papers require the disclaimer?
No. Research papers are considered in support of the
University's overall mission (see
preceding question).
Do password-protected pages require the disclaimer?
No. However, the password must be privately shared and not generally
accessible.
Do WebCT courses and similar curriculum-related Web Sites
require the Disclaimer?
No. WebCT course and similar materials are part of the
University's academic enterprise. All Web
sites and associated pages that support the University's curriculum
do not
require the disclaimer.
Do resumes and curricula vitae require the disclaimer?
No.
Does posting of the disclaimer absolve the creator of the Web
site from adherence
to other UGA policies regarding appropriate Web use?
No. For a list of Web links to University of Georgia policies, please see
http://www.uga.edu/inside/policies.html
Why is it necessary to place the disclaimer on all pages, and not just
the home or main page of a Web Site?
It is possible to access pages within a site without navigating
through the home or main page. Search
engines, for example, will often provide direct access to pages within a site
in response to certain queries.