Web Style Guide

In rare cases it may be necessary for institutions to have their own webserver or host their own website outside the University’s TYPO3. However, this requires express approval from Public Relations. An example of a justified exception is if technical requirements that the University’s TYPO3 cannot provide (e.g. payment function, etc.) are absolutely necessary.

The University’s corporate design is mandatory for all its institutions in order for the University to present a consistent appearance to the outside world – this also applies to independent websites outside the University’s TYPO3.

Exceptions such as the following are conceivable but must have approval from Public Relations:

• A joint project with other universities in which all partners are equal and therefore which must not appear in the corporate design of a specific university. However, if the University of Tübingen is heading the project, e.g. it is speaker for a CRC, the project should be in the University of Tübingen’s corporate design.
• A specialist association is organizing a convention or conference in cooperation with a University of Tübingen institution. In this case the event website may be presented in the corporate design of the specialist association.

Students and faculty student councils are not permitted to use the logo and CD of the University for their own purposes (own websites, reports, term papers, presentations, etc.). They are working on their own behalf, not that of the University. Faculty student councils are permitted to host their website on the University’s central TYPO3 provided the faculty/department assumes responsibility for this.

• The University logo:
  • must always be shown if the website concerns a University institution;
  • must always be at the top left;
  • must not be altered;
  • must link to the homepage of the University https://uni-tuebingen.de/ or https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/.
  • More information about the University trademark (N.B.: requires Intranet registration)
• Colors:
  • Only colors that conform with the University’s corporate design are permitted. A website should predominantly appear in the prime colors carmine red and anthracite. The prime color matte gold or one of the official secondary colors may also be used in addition.
  • More information about the CD colors (N.B.: requires Intranet registration)
• Font:
  • Open Sans must be used as the font on websites. In print media the University uses the fonts Arial, Trajan or FF Zwo.
• Own logos:
  • By resolution of the President’s Office, all University institutions are prohibited from developing and using their own logos. Logos are hereby deemed to include all wordmarks or trademarks.
  • Exceptions are only permitted with express approval from the President’s Office.
  • The use of secondary logos for faculties, University centers, institutions, research projects of all kinds and degree or study programs is prohibited.
• Template:
  • The template for the University’s homepage https://uni-tuebingen.de/ ( = full width) must not be used for any other webpages. You can find the permitted templates on the sub-pages to this style guide.

Institutions which form part of the University of Tübingen may apply to the IT Center for their own server/webhost.

• E-application for own webhost

Please note: Upkeep of a separate server and content management system (CSM) is very labor intensive and you should ensure that there are employees in your institution who have the knowhow (technical, editorial and legal) and time to look after it long-term. The IT Center and Public Relations cannot provide any support for a separate server/website outside the University’s TYPO3.

Data privacy statement and imprint/legal notice

Every website needs a data privacy statement and an imprint/legal notice. As operator of your own website you are responsible and must take care of this.

It is not sufficient to refer in a general way to the central University website – you must create your own data privacy statement and an imprint/legal notice that are appropriate to your site. It may be that data processing on your site is entirely different to that on the University website. This must be mentioned accordingly in the data privacy statement. In addition you have responsibility for the content of your web presence – and this must also be evident (including contact details). The legal responsibility for all University institutions is borne by the President under Section 5 of the German Telemedia Act (TMG), Section 55 of the Interstate Broadcasting Treaty (RStV). In drafting your data privacy statement you can obtain support from the University’s data protection officer, email: datenschutzspam prevention@uni-tuebingen.de.

• Information about data protection

Accessibility

Public institutions are obliged to ensure their websites are designed to be accessible. The German Federal Agency for Accessibility (Bundesfachstelle Barrierefreiheit) can provide suggestions for how to test your website for accessibility as well as information about creating accessible content and documents: https://www.bundesfachstelle-barrierefreiheit.de/DE/Praxishilfen/Informationstechnik/informationstechnik_node.html.

In addition, the websites of public institutions must have a declaration about accessibility. You can find a sample declaration of the Federal State of Baden-Württemberg here: https://um.baden-wuerttemberg.de/de/header-und-footer/erklaerung-zur-barrierefreiheit/

You can obtain more information from the accessibility monitoring agency of the Federal State of Baden-Württemberg: https://bw-medial-barrierefrei.de/

Copyright

When designing the website with images/photos, designs, maps, etc., copyright must be taken into consideration, and in the case of photographs of individuals also data protection law. Copyright protected works are on principle not freely usable and must therefore not simply be downloaded from the Internet and posted on a website. In other words, before using any picture, design, etc., you should first of all check whether the desired work is legally protected; if necessary, the copyright holder/rights holder must be identified.

The copyright holder/rights holder (e.g. in the case of photos the photographer or the photo agency) must consent to the use and publication, and for the transfer of the usage rights generally receives a fee. Caution: Please make sure that all desired types of usage are covered by the fee. For example, if you have acquired an image for a print publication, you cannot automatically also use it on the Internet! This may in some cases even apply when a photographer has been commissioned to make a portrait of yourself. The work used must always feature a copyright holder credit, for example “Photo: Photographer XY / Photo agency XY”.

Always check carefully in advance that free use is permitted for your proposed purpose if you wish to use images/photos you have found on a platform – never assume free use is granted.

Individuals’ image rights

Anyone depicted in photographs has rights to their own image under the general right of privacy. Also, data protection must be observed with regard to photographs of individuals in accordance with the provisions of basic data protection law. This means that publication of personal images is only permitted with the individuals’ consent. Please remember to obtain consent in advance, especially if pictures were made at a non-public event (e.g. a party) and will be published worldwide on the Internet.

Leaflet: Use of Photos on the Web (German only)

Names and contact details of employees

When naming people and when posting photos of employees please pay attention to data protection. Publication of such personal data is only possible provided staff members agree to this. If in doubt about any legal issues, please ask the legal department of the University of Tübingen.