WordPress Hosting Terms of Service

This article defines use of UNC Word Press in accordance with UNC's acceptable use policies.

Information

All sites hosted on one of ITS Digital Services WordPress environments are subject to our Terms of Service outlined below. 

Use of UNC WordPress websites is a University resource. All uses must be in conformance with all other University policies, including but not limited to, the Digital Accessibility Policy, the Acceptable Use Policy, the Personal Use Policy, the Policy on Use of University Resources in Support of Entrepreneurial Activities, and the Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment and Related Misconduct.

Content Guidelines

• Copyrighted content may not be reproduced on UNC sites unless covered under fair use regulations or obtained with permission. The University may remove or take down any site in violation of copyright law after receiving notice of a violation to review the content.
• Users may not post illegal content, such as child pornography, true threats of violence, incitement to riot, defamation, or obscenity.
• Content may be reviewed for potential violations of the University’s Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment and Related Misconduct. As warranted, the University may remove content pending an investigation.
• All sites must comply with the Digital Accessibility Policy and remain accessible for all users with disabilities.
• Websites cannot attempt to confuse site visitors by using official marks and branding of other entities, including the University’s own marks. If you have any questions about what official marks or brands you are entitled to use, consult the Identity and Trademark and Licensing websites.

Usage Guidelines

• Except as allowed under the Personal Use Policy or the Policy on Use of University Resources in Support of Entrepreneurial Activities, users may not use University websites for personal business, commercial or political activities, fundraising, or advertising on behalf of non-University affiliated entities.
•  Sites may not be used to perform credit card transactions or directly raise any type of funds by soliciting payments through anything other than a link to University foundation or development sites.
• Sites should not be used to conduct any research on individuals, except as allowed by the policies of the University’s Vice Chancellor for Research.

Sensitive Data

Sensitive data is not permitted on our WordPress networks, specifically sites.unc.edu, web.unc.edu, tarheels.live. This includes all data, in their original and duplicate forms, that contain:

• Personal Information, as defined by the North Carolina Identity Theft Protection Act of 2005
• Protected Health Information, as defined by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)
• Student education records, as defined by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
• Customer record information, as defined by the Gramm Leach Bliley Act (GLBA)
• Card holder data, as defined by the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standard
• Confidential personnel information, as defined by the State Personnel Act
• Information that is considered to be confidential per the North Carolina Public Records Act

Top level subdomain (sitename.unc.edu)

A sitename.unc.edu subdomain represents the highest level in the UNC.EDU namespace and has substantial reputational implications for the University. The content on sitename.unc.edu sites directly represents the University and therefore the requirements to use one are rigorous. All unc.edu sites on UNC WordPress networks must use the WordPress UNC Heelium theme (classic editor), WordPress' Twenty Twenty-Four theme, or an approved ITS WordPress custom theme. Sites using a sitename.unc.edu domain must pass an accessibility review by the Digital Accessibility Office and site administrators must complete Digital Accessibility Training to be approved. See details regarding top level requirements and the request process.

Inactive Sites Guidelines

UNC's WordPress Networks sites are designed to host publicly accessible information. They are not meant to be used as an archive.

All websites must be associated with at least one user with an active Onyen. This may include either a user with an Administrator or Editor role. Websites with no active “owners” may be deactivated after six months and then removed completely after 12 months effective from the relevant role end date.

Websites with no activity within a 12-month period will be flagged and an alert will be sent to the active Onyens associated with the site. Unless the active owners respond affirmatively to keeping the site active, the site will be de-activated, then removed completely after a six-month period.

Sites that are not being updated regularly or that are being left in place simply to maintain historical material should consider a different University storage option. Many older sites may be better served by placing their content in the University Archives or the Carolina Digital Repository.

Violations and Legal Notices

Any site found violating one or more of these guidelines will have the offending content in question removed. Major violations may result in complete site removal, revocation of web privileges, disciplinary measures, and potential legal action or loss of employment. UNC reserves the right to remove any website at any time for any given reason.

In the event the University receives a court order or subpoena for your website or related content, the University may access, preserve, and disclose your content to comply with the legal process. Your content may also be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Act, even should you choose to password protect your site. You may also have retention and preservation obligations under the University’s Records Retention Schedule.

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