Policy Development Main Page

11.41 INTERNET / WWW USE - ADVERTISING & PROMOTION

Effective: March 26, 2001

(C: UTS will modify the format of this section to conform with the format used for the rest of the document.)

PURPOSE
To establish the guidelines for permitting advertising, sponsorship or underwriting on Florida International University (FIU) World Wide Web pages by parties not affiliated with FIU, and for FIU advertising on non-FIU World Wide Web sites.

AUTHORITY/SOURCE
(C: UTS will provide this information.)

Definitions
a. "Advertising" is defined as offering space on a World Wide Web page to another party for the purpose of promoting goods or services offered by that party in exchange for money, goods, or services.

b. "Individual" is defined as any University student, University employee, or other person.

c. "Sponsorship" and "underwriting" are defined as offering space on a World Wide Web page to another party for the purpose of mentioning the party's name as recognition for the donation of money, goods or services.

d. "Unit" is defined as a University department, college or division.

POLICY
Advertising, sponsorship, or underwriting will be prohibited on FIU Web pages within the .edu domain. Advertising and/or recognition of a sponsor or underwriter may be permitted on FIU Web pages within the .org domain.

PROCEDURE
a. The sale of advertising on any World Wide Web pages is prohibited unless such advertising is pursuant to an appropriately approved contractual agreement between the University and the advertiser and is approved by the Vice President of University Relations or his/her designee who will set policy for number of ads permitted, as well as content and placement of ads on the Web page.

b. All changes to any approved advertisement shall be submitted in advance to the Vice President of University Relations for approval.

c. The sale of advertising must be consistent with the mission of the Unit and the University, and all proceeds must be retained in University accounts. Advertising content for non-University products and services will not be stored on University-owned equipment.

d. The sale of advertising may be subject to taxation, despite the University's tax exempt status. Units are individually responsible for all tax payments and liabilities, including penalties and attorneys' fees, in relation to Unrelated Business Income Tax, or other taxes or assessments arising from the sale or use of advertising.

e. The sale of advertising in certain contexts may be subject to regulation under Florida statutes, and may also be subject to procurement procedures. Advertising may not be undertaken in violation of these and other applicable statutes. The Unit proposing the advertising, underwriting or sponsorship is responsible for assuring compliance with all FIU, Board of Regents, Florida and Federal policies, rules, regulations and laws.

f. Units may receive underwriting or sponsorship for their web pages with approval of the Vice President of University Relations or designee and in accordance with the Internal Revenue Services.

g. Inclusion of an advertisement, sponsorship or underwriting acknowledgement on a FIU Web page shall not imply approval, endorsement or support of any product, services or other of such advertiser, underwriter or sponsor.

h. FIU Web pages may link to non-FIU Internet sites that offer free downloads to view or access specific images or documents or provide links to free information on the Internet. fiu.edu web pages should not contain links to commercial sites for which FIU receives no benefit, except those commercial sites judged by the user to have some job related values. Examples of such cases are links to private organizations for course related materials, research references, …, etc.

Page last updated: March 4, 2002