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Designers and Developers

Web pages and web applications that are developed in direct support of and sponsored by WVU, WVU colleges, schools, departments, programs, and offices are considered official WVU Web pages and are subject to review and approval by Strategic Communications and Marketing – Digital Services.

WVU-Branded Templates

Every WVU website is required to use the WVU Design System. It includes HTML code, Sass, and various components you can use to build WVU-branded templates.

Supported Browsers

Unless otherwise noted, websites in CleanSlate CMS and other SCM - Digital products support the latest versions of Chrome, Safari, Edge, and Firefox. We do not include support for compatibility modes. We no longer support deprecated versions of Internet Explorer 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11.

Requesting Site Approval and Launch

All websites and web applications must be reviewed and approved by SCM – Digital Services before launch. This ensures compliance with WVU brand standards and federal ADA accessibility requirements.

Please allow a minimum of three weeks for the full approval and launch process.

Approval and Launch Timeline

Approval and Launch Instructions

  1. (Before requesting approval)

    Step 1: Prepare for Approval

    Before submitting your site, confirm it meets accessibility and brand requirements.

    Accessibility Requirements

    WVU is required by federal law to have zero WCAG A/AA errors on websites, web applications, and other electronic content published by the university.

    Before submitting your digital product for approval, c omplete each of these accessibility checks .

    Once you submit the Approval and Launch form, we will create a SiteImprove dashboard for your project that will scan the site for issues. When you have access to the SiteImprove dashboard, review any A/AA errors it finds and remediate them as quickly as possible.

    Initial Brand and Design Requirements

    Please confirm your project meets the following criteria:

    • Accessibility: Zero WCAG A/AA errors before launch.
    • WVU Logo: Use only approved WVU logos. Do not alter them in any way (no resizing, distortions, shadows, bevels, textures). Do not use the WVU logo over a background texture. Maintain at least 10px clear space around the logo.
    • Text: Body text should be dark gray on a plain white background.
    • Navigation: Clear and consistent navigation within the top 610px of the page.
    • Whitespace: A balanced layout that avoids clutter, supports readability, and enhances visual hierarchy.
    • Unit Name: Displayed in the top left of the page. Styled in accordance with branding.
    • Logotypes and Wordmarks: Only use unit logos approved by Strategic Communications and Marketing – Design. For new logos or wordmarks, contact Karyn Cummings at karync.cummings@mail.wvu.edu.
    • Vertical Scrolling: Place key information near the top. Content does not need to fit entirely “above the fold".
    • Styling: Follow the official theme style sheet. Avoid use of heavy borders, excessive use of textures, excessively rounded corners, and unnecessary effects that do not follow the style sheet.
  2. (At least 3 weeks before launch)

    Step 2: Initial Review and Request Form Submission

    Create a Conceptboard for review, and complete the Website Approval and Launch form.

    Create a Conceptboard

    Include the following items in your board:

    • Screenshots of key pages
    • A link to your development URL (.sandbox or .static)
    • Any wireframes, visual representations, or project details that can aid the review process

    Add the following members to your board to provide initial feedback:

    • Adam Glenn (adam.glenn@mail.wvu.edu)
    • Tatsu Johnson (tjohns31@mail.wvu.edu)
    • Brooke Saab (brooke.saab@mail.wvu.edu)
    • Austin Rupp (austin.rupp@mail.wvu.edu)

    If you're unable to add any of these users, email Tatsu Johnson with a link to your board.

    Please allow one full work week for preliminary review and feedback, then initiate official approval in Conceptboard when revisions have been completed.

    Request Access to Conceptboard

    If you do not currently have access to Conceptboard, submit the Conceptboard Access Request Form. Only Prof. Techs. should request access to Conceptboard.

    Submit the Website Approval and Launch Form

    This form will add your project to our queue, so we can create your SiteImprove dashboard and make preparations for launch.

    Submit an Approval and Launch Form
  3. (At least 2 weeks before launch)

    Step 3: Official Approval in Conceptboard

    Make revisions based on initial feedback and initiate official approval in Conceptboard.

    After you have addressed initial feedback and are ready for your site to go live, you should initiate official approval in Conceptboard. Allow us at least one week to provide approval when setting the deadline and select the following users as approvers:

    • Adam Glenn
    • Tatsu Johnson
    • Brooke Saab

    Our team will conduct a final review, respond to any outstanding questions, and issue formal approval.

  4. Step 4: Launch!

    Once approval is granted, the website or application may proceed to launch.

    Make sure your site is published and looks/functions exactly as you'd like it to for launch. Our team will work with ITS to launch your website or app as close to your embargo date as possible. If you did not provide an embargo date, the site will launch as soon as possible. You will be notified via email as soon as the site is live.