This procedure outlines the UMAC Web Strategy Team’s guidelines for providing centralized WordPress hosting to eligible University of Washington units. It defines which organizations can receive a branded “uw.edu” WordPress site, the types of websites that cannot be hosted, and the required intake and review process for requesting hosting services. The document reinforces that hosting is offered free of charge, includes training and support, and aligns with UW design standards while following the university’s structured project workflow for approved requests.
These guidelines apply to any organization within the University of Washington.
Procedure steps
University Marketing and Communications provides eligible units with centralized WordPress hosting. This hosting service will provide a unit with a branded WordPress site and a “uw.edu” address. We cannot host other content management systems, static content, content that does not fit within the intended use of our content management system, domains, or subdomains. This hosting service is provided free of charge, with support and training for content authors.
Eligible units
We provide hosting services to the following units on campus:
- Top level units such as the President, Provost, and Regents.
- Central administration units such as University Advancement.
- Campaign, donor, stewardship, fundraising or similar websites.
- Administrative units without a parent unit, or without the means to host their website.
- Academic units without a parent unit, or without the means to host their website.
- Strategic initiatives and programs.
- Independent centers, academic or administrative, affiliated with the UW, without a parent unit, without means to host themselves, and/or without grant-based requirements for co-branding.
Ineligible units
We cannot provide hosting services to the following:
- Any entity not affiliated with the University of Washington.
- Registered Student Organizations (RSO).
- Non-academic fraternities and sororities, and associated members of the Panhellenic Association.
- Any athletic unit.
- Any trade union.
- Independent centers with a written requirement to provide co-branding of another institution or funding source.
- Any unit not interested in using or able to use the UW’s templates and themes or wanting to expand beyond the capabilities provided by those themes.
How to engage
If a unit believes they are eligible for hosting services, they must complete an intake form located within UMAC’s brand portal. This form is sent to the Web Strategy Director for review. The Director will review the form and make an initial assessment – their decision will then be sent back to the requesting unit.
If the Director decides to host the site, the next step will be an intake meeting. The Director will set up a meeting with the representatives of the unit and the leads of the Web Development and Web Content teams. During that meeting the team will understand the unit’s goals and objectives and work to create a plan moving forward.
From that point, the project will move into UMAC’s standard chartered project workflow.
- Procedure ID: WS-PROC-1004
- Version: 2.0
- Effective Date: 2026-02-01