8. Domain

1. Top-Level Domains
2. Subdomains
3. University & Mascot Names
4. Personal Names
5. Hosting

Go to requirement category in checklist

8.1 Top-Level Domains

Websites must use a vcu.edu top-level domain.

Exceptions

If a website requires a non-vcu.edu top-level domain name due to a specific business need, an exception must be granted by both Technology Services and Enterprise Marketing and Communications.

Examples of Exceptions

• valrc.org
• www.vcualumni.org
• centerontransition.org

8.2 Subdomains

Websites using a subdomain of vcu.edu must be for colleges, schools, academic/administrative departments, or central systems/applications.

Examples

• nursing.vcu.edu (school)
• ts.vcu.edu (administrative department)
• canvas.vcu.edu (central system/application)
• egr.vcu.edu (college)
• biostatistics.vcu.edu (academic department)

Exceptions

Websites wanting to use a subdomain of vcu.edu not for a college, school, academic/administrative department, or central system/application must be approved by Technology Services.

Examples of Exceptions

• compass.vcu.edu (cross-unit initiative)
• telework.vcu.edu (universitywide resource)
• webstandards.vcu.edu (universitywide resource)

8.3 University & Mascot Names

Websites must not include the term “VCU,” “ram,” or “rams” in their subdomain.

Examples of Non-Compliance

• vcuarts.vcu.edu (should be arts.vcu.edu)
• vcuchs.vcu.edu (should be chs.vcu.edu)
• vcuts.vcu.edu (should be ts.vcu.edu)

"VCU" portmanteaus

Using “VCU” in a portmanteau (a word blending the sounds and combining the meanings of two others) is not allowed.

Examples of Non-Compliance

• vcuniversity.vcu.edu
• vcurate.vcu.edu
• vcustom.vcu.edu

Exceptions for using “ram” or “rams”

The use of the word "ram" or "rams" in a subdomain must be approved by Technology Services. This usage will only be approved in limited situations where the content of the website is student related and not being used to describe an office or department's organization or operations.

Examples

• ramsadministration.vcu.edu (unacceptable)
• ramshr.vcu.edu (unacceptable)
• ramcam.vcu.edu (acceptable)
• ramhacks.vcu.edu (acceptable)

8.4 Personal Names

Websites must not include a person's name in a domain or subdomain.

Exceptions

If a unit is permanently named after a person, a website for said unit is exempt from this rule.

Examples

• rodney.vcu.edu (unacceptable)
• gehli.vcu.edu (acceptable)

8.5 Hosting

Websites using a top-level domain must be hosted on a VCU approved web server.