With the rollout of our UNCOMMON brand platform, it is important that Virginia Commonwealth University’s digital presence remains consistent with brand and web standards. Adherence to standards creates a unified identity across the university’s digital footprint, providing a consistent user experience and making VCU stand out.

Brand standards for websites

Brand standards for websites within the vcu.edu domain include:

• Visual elements: Must align with the VCU brand standards outlined in brand.vcu.edu.
  • Colors: View the digital color standards.
  • Typography: View the typefaces for websites.
• Brand bar: Must use the approved VCU brand bar.
  • Unit master mark graphics are NOT allowed to be used for website headers.
• Site footer: Must include specific information and brand elements.
• VCU A-Z manager review: All websites will be reviewed by our branding and compliance representatives before being listed in the A-Z manager.

Exceptions: Any exceptions to these brand standards require pre-approval. For more information, contact identity@vcu.edu.

VCU web standards

All organizational websites are governed by a set of rules, regulations and guidelines. Our web standards are authorized by the Organizational Websites Management and Hosting Policy. 

To ensure accessibility for all users, website projects must comply with the VCU Web Standards and Guidelines, including Section 508 and WCAG requirements.

Web Services, a department within Technology Services, conducts compliance reviews before website launches and provides web managers with access to Siteimprove, an online tool for ongoing quality assurance monitoring.

Resources 

Have questions about updating and maintaining your website? Enterprise Marketing and Communications offers brand-related guidance, while Technology Services offers consultation on using the university’s CMS (Terminalfour) and the Compass Web Framework. From open consulting hours to brand tutorials, we provide the resources to create a compliant, visually appealing, and on-brand website.

Management resources

• Request a new website: Visit Web Publishing to learn how to place a request for creating a new website.

• Get help with an existing website: Technology Services offers bi-weekly open consultations for helping with websites that use the university’s CMS (Terminalfour) and the Compass Web Framework. Register for a Web Services consultation.
  

• Branding consultation: Get in touch with identity@vcu.edu for any branding questions.

Website development

When creating and maintaining websites at VCU, you’ll primarily work with:

• Terminalfour (T4): VCU’s official web content management system (CMS): Use T4 to create, manage, and publish web content for VCU sites.

• Compass Web Framework: VCU’s web framework ensures consistent branding and structure across the university’s web presence. Compass integrates with T4 and provides web components and documentation.

• Custom applications: When specialized needs arise, develop custom web applications. Collaborate with VCU’s IT support for any custom applications.