Linking Policy
This document outlines the policies for linking to and from any THECB web site.

Links to THECB Web Sites
Advance permission to link to a THECB Web Site is not necessary. However, be aware that subpages may change at any time without notice. Entities and individuals linking to a THECB Web site must continuously verify links to our subpages.

Entities and individuals linking to a THECB Web Site shall not capture pages within frames, present THECB Web site content as its own, or otherwise misrepresent THECB Web site content or misinform users about the origin or ownership of THECB Web site content. Any link to a THECB Web site should be a full forward link that passes the client browser to the site unencumbered. The Back button should return the visitor to its site if the visitor wishes to back out.

Links from a THECB Web Site
This section outlines the criteria and requirements that external web sites must meet to have a link from a THECB Web Site. It also details how links are accepted and removed from THECB Web sites.

Criteria
THECB Web sites are not a forum for public communication and debate. The following criteria have been established to preserve the non-public forum nature of THECB Web sites. We accept link requests made by federal, state, and local governments that provide information and services that pertain to higher education. At its discretion, the THECB may link to non-governmental web sites that contain information and/or services that further the purpose of the THECB. Every link request must undergo review to determine its relevance and appropriateness to the THECB mission of providing information about higher education. Links are approved for THECB web sites based on the following criteria:

1. The external web site corresponds with the THECB mission.

2. The site's content is appropriate with respect to the THECB mission and is not a:

*Commercial site which charges a fee for products or services online; (Notices of the availability of publications by government entities that charge for the publications or notices of government sponsored conferences that charge a registration fee are not commercial sites and may be considered for linking.)

* Site that exhibits hate, bias, discrimination, pornography; libelous or otherwise defamatory content;

* Site belonging to or supporting a political affiliation; or

* Site which furthers the agenda of a political organization or candidate running for office.

The THECB reserves the right to deny or remove links if it determines that a web site contains misleading or unsubstantiated claims, conflicts with the THECB mission, or does not meet one or more of the criteria set forth above in numbered sections 1 and 2 or set out below in the Requirements, numbers 1-4.

Requirements
To give superior customer service to citizens and businesses accessing governmental information and services through THECB Web sites, we require that external web sites requesting a link on THECB Web sites meet the following requirements:

1. The linked site must provide the user with an email address and/or a customer service telephone number, in order for users to contact the site if there are problems with format, accuracy, timeliness, or payment processing. Any customer support required by the THECB may result in a charge of fees to the linked site.

2. When the user clicks on the external web site link, he/she must have easy access back to the THECB Web site. One of two options can accomplish this:

* A link to the THECB Web site can be established on the external web site's main page; or

* The "Back" button returns the user to the THECB Web site.

3. Linked sites must have a privacy policy accessible from their home page informing the user of what information is collected, how it is collected, how it is used, and how the user can review and correct the information.

4. Linked sites must comply with accepted standards as provided by the Worldwide Web Consortium (w3c.org) to ensure that persons with disabilities may access these sites. Texas state agencies must follow 1 Texas Administrative Code Section 201.12, concerning State Web Sites.

The THECB reserves the right to link to external web sites that it feels would provide a service to the citizen.

Removal Process
Links from THECB Web sites will be reviewed regularly and may be removed for the following reasons:

* The link no longer points to the original information or resource to which it was intended to point;

* The information pointed to by the link is inaccurate, misleading or otherwise violates the criteria and requirements set forth above.

* Access to the information has become difficult due to non-standard formatting, lengthy download times, or intrusive advertising;

* The link is permanently unreachable or remains unavailable for a lengthy period, especially if we are unable to contact the site manager about the site's status;

Contact Information
For questions and concerns regarding the linking policy, or to request a link, email us at THECB Web Services.