The purpose of an Information Technology Standard is to specify requirements for compliance with Old Dominion University Information Technology policies, other University policies, as well as applicable laws and regulations. Standards may include business principles, best practices, technical standards, migration and implementation strategies, that direct the design, deployment and management of information technology.

1. Purpose

   The purpose of this standard is to define the guidelines and protocol for the use of the University-Wide Announcements System.

2. Definitions

   Personal or Commercial Activities are described as any activity undertaken by an individual, on behalf of themselves or a non-University affiliated organization that may result in the financial gain and promotion. This includes marketing, advertising, selling any other action deemed not to complement the University mission and comply with the University policies and regulations. Examples include Avon, Mary Kay or other product sales, advertising of ticket, pet, car or appliance sales, house rentals, etc. Commercial activities are undertaken by a University-affiliated entity, such as the ODU Bookstore, The Monarch Techstore, Aramark, etc., are exempted.

   MIDAS is an acronym for the Monarch Identification and Authorization System, a central identity management technology.

   University-Wide Announcement System is the technology used to send post notices and messages relevant to all faculty and staff.

3. Standards Statement

   The University-Wide Announcement System is used to send electronic notices to the faculty and staff at Old Dominion University.

   Notices are posted to the system and announcements are emailed automatically to faculty and staff accounts on a daily basis. Announcements should be used for activities which complement the University mission and comply with the University policies and regulations.

   All announcements posted to the University-Wide Announcement System must be relevant to the entire University faculty and staff community. Announcements relevant only to certain groups, college or administrative areas should not be posted to this University-Wide system. The University email directory provides access to smaller, pre-defined groups through the Address Book. Announcements should not advertise or solicit for personal or commercial activities or services.

   Announcements may be posted for up to three consecutive days and may include links to related Web pages, attachments, and graphics.

   Faculty and staff receive a message with a condensed version of all current announcements in their university-provided email accounts. Messages in the individual mailboxes are automatically deleted in accordance with the email archive and retention practices. Announcements are stored in a central database and are unavailable after three days and will be archived from the database after 30 days.

   Faculty or staff may not opt out of the system to avert the receipt of the daily announcements mail. Any individual faculty and staff member with a MIDAS ID and password may post to the University-Wide Announcement System through the normal account request procedures.

   Acceptable e-mail use and network etiquette must be followed when posting announcements to the system.

   Individuals interested in having announcements posted to the Old Dominion University News Page should contact the Office of University Relations.

   The University Wide Announcement System guidelines may be circumvented for emergencies and time-sensitive situations as determined by the President or Vice Presidents.

4. Procedures, Guidelines & Other Related Information

   Federal and State Law

   Policy 3500 - Use of Computing Resources

   IT Standard 09.1.0 Acceptable Use Standard

5. History

   Date	Responsible Party	Action
   October 2008	ITAC/CIO	Created
   October 2009	ITAC/CIO	Reaffirmed
   October 2010	ITAC/CIO	Reaffirmed
   October 2011	ITAC/CIO	Reaffirmed
   October 2012	ITAC/CIO	Reaffirmed
   December 2012	IT Policy Office	Definition added Numbering revision Link added
   February 2018	ITS Policy Office	Reviewed; minor wording change
   December 2021	IT Policy Office	Definitions and links checked