Draft - The GMU Domain and Website Naming

A domain is a key component of a web address, essential for establishing an organization's online identity. George Mason University's domain name is gmu.edu, which is also the web address for accessing the university's main website.

Subdomain 


A subdomain is an extension of the gmu.edu domain and appears before the top-level domain in the format ‘subdomain.gmu.edu’. 

Subdomains are used to identify websites representing colleges, schools, academic departments, administrative units, events, locations, strategic initiatives, or central systems/applications. 

Examples: 

  • publichealth.gmu.edu 

  • engineering.gmu.edu 

  • bioengineering.gmu.edu 

  • provost.gmu.edu 

  • graduation.gmu.edu 

  • studentcenters.gmu.edu 

  • password.gmu.edu 

Domain Naming

All naming requests for public-facing websites must be approved by Information Technology Services and the Office of University Branding.

Domain names must adhere to the following requirements:

  • Use gmu.edu as the top-level domain.
     
  • Accurately represent the content of the associated website.
     
  • Be compatible with existing George Mason domain names.
     
  • Fit within the university's web environment, information architecture, directory structure, and naming conventions.
     
  • Align with university objectives, brand standards, and strategic initiatives.
     
  • Avoid acronyms in favor of recognizable words.

 

Domain Hosting

Gmu.edu domains must:

  • Be hosted on an Information Technology Services (ITS) domain name server.
     
  • Be assigned to a website on an ITS-approved hosting environment.
     
  • Subdomains must point directly to a specific website and not function solely as a redirect.

 

Prohibited Words or Concepts

The following words, terms, and concepts are prohibited in George Mason domain names:

  • University and Mascot Names: Terms such as 'GMU,' 'Mason,' 'patriot,' or 'patriots'.
     
  • Portmanteaus: Word or sound blends incorporating 'GMU', 'George Mason,' or 'Mason'.
     
  • Personal Names.

 

Naming Exceptions

All exceptions must be approved by the Office of University Branding and Information Technology Services:

  • Non-gmu.edu Top Level Domain: Websites for a specific business case or cross-institution collaboration may be granted use of non-gmu.edu top-level domain name. Example: hyltoncenter.org
     
  • Personal Names: If a college, school, unit, academic or cultural center, event, function, application, initiative, or location is permanently named after a person, that personal name may be used within the website name. Example: carterschool.gmu.edu
     
  • University or Mascot Names: The use of the word 'patriot' or 'patriots' may be approved in limited situations where the content of the website is student related and does not describe an office or department's organization or operations.

 

Related Regulations and Policies

Commonwealth of Virginia Regulations
SEC525-SC22, AC-3 - Hosted-Environment-Information-Security-Standard

University Policies
1301 - Responsible Use of Computing
1114 - Data Stewardship Policy
1309 - Information Technology Infrastructure, Architecture, and Ongoing Operations

ITS Security Standard
SC-22 – H, M, L – Architecture and Provisioning for Name/Address Resolution - General Controls