Policies Governing Requests for Non-standard Domain Names
Section 1. General Guidelines
Section 2. Requests
Section 3. Approval Guidelines
Section 4. Current Cost
1.1 In order to preserve and promote USC's presence on the Internet, all domain names for USC entities, regardless of whether the domain is hosted from an ITS-maintained server or from another USC-owned computer, shall be in the format xxx.usc.edu. To facilitate the use of this format ITS permits registration of hosts with any currently unregistered name for the usc.edu domain via an online form (www.usc.edu/iprequest). (More information on accomplishing these domains with virtual hosting.)
Likewise, for general Web resources, USC encourages URLs in the format http://www.usc.edu/xxx. To facilitate this format ITS will provide top-level URL re-directs that enable a short URL such as http://www.usc.edu/its to be used regardless of where the actual content is stored. (More information on accomplishing these domains with Top-Level URL Re-directs.)
Section 2. Non-Standard Domain Name Requests
2.1 Recognizing that in some instances there are justifiable reasons for non-standard domain names to be used the university has developed the following policies for requesting a non-standard domain name.
- Requests for non-standard domain names should be made using the form available here as a PDF document. Please note that this form requires that the request be approved by a senior administrator (dean, director, department head).
- Completed forms shall be returned to:
-
Candace Borland
Information Technology Services
Mail Code 2812
2.3 The Chief Information Officer, with advisement from the Information Council and the Director of Trademarks and Licensing Services will review the proposal. All parties must agree to the non-standard domain name request in order for the domain name to be approved.
2.4 The home page for a Web server using non-standard domain name must also have an equivalent top-level re-direct from USC's primary Web Server. For example, if the non-standard domain name www.icahdq.org was approved and it had a Web server whose home page had the URL re-direct in the format http://www.usc.edu/icahdq from USC's primary Web server which would point to the non-standard domain name.
2.5 Non-standard domain names are granted with the understanding that USC reserves the right to remove the non-standard domain at any time, and that the sponsor will be responsible for any additional costs associated with creating and/or using the non-standard domain.
2.6 The use of non-standard domain names is subject to all other USC computing policies.
Section 3. Guidelines Governing the Approval of Non-standard Domain Names
3.1 The Information Council has determined that there are three categories of requests for non-standard domain names: scholarly journals and learned societies, consortia, and USC-related projects or entities.
3.2 Scholarly Journals and Learned Societies
3.2.1 These are organizations that are independent of USC, and do not have strong affiliations with other institutions. They must, however, have some kind of affiliation with USC, often in the form of a faculty or staff member's involvement in the organization.
3.2.2 As a service to the academy, ITS will host the site for the non-USC entity and will grant a non-standard domain name, as long as the organization has clearly identifiable academic purpose and a USC faculty or staff member is willing to sponsor the site. In recognition of its willingness to host the site, a USC mark that links to the USC home page shall be prominently noted as the host of the site on the site's main page.
3.2.3 An example of this type of request is the International Communication Association's Website (www.icahdq.org).
3.3 Consortia
3.3.1 These are organizations that are independent of USC, but have strong ties to other institutions as well. These organizations are typically consortia of institutions of which USC is a partner.
3.3.2 As a service to the academy, ITS will host the site for the non-USC entity and will grant a non-standard domain name, as long as the organization has clearly identifiable academic purpose and a USC faculty or staff member is willing to sponsor the site. In recognition of its willingness to host the site, a USC mark that links to the USC home page shall be prominently noted as the host of the site on the site's main page.
3.3.3 An example of this type of request is the Southern California Earthquake Center's Website (www.scec.org).
3.4 USC Projects, Research Centers and Other Entities
3.4.1 These organizations are ones that fall under direct USC ownership and control. Examples include USC schools, departments, and research centers.
3.4.2 Because these entities are part of USC, it is extremely important for the entity's Internet and Web presence to reflect the USC association. Therefore, requests for non-standard domain names from USC entities will not be approved. Exceptions to this policy will be considered and granted on an extremely limited basis, and only when a clear, compelling reason is presented.
3.4.3 This policy will be incorporated into the USC Identity Program, and will apply to all USC entities, regardless of whether they choose to host their site on a USC server or with a commercial service provider.
3.4.4 A hypothetical example of this type of request would be for an educational publication from the USC School of Education titled The Educator. A request for the domain www.educator.org or simply educator.org would not be approved. However, as described in Section 1.1 of this policy, the requesting group would be encouraged to use either the domain educator.usc.edu or the URL www.usc.edu/educator.
4.1 Approved non-standard domain names cost $50 per year whether implemented as a virtual host on CWIS or on another USC server.
Last updated:
March 12, 2012