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Guidelines for Development
Mobile applications affiliated with the University should look professional, work well, and appropriately represent the University’s values. The guidelines below, by audience, describe how to make that happen.
For students and staff
- If you have a great idea for an app, but don’t have the resources to make it happen, we’d like to know about it. Fill out our Mobile Developers form.
- If you have an app underway or finished, the guidelines depend on ownership. Fill out our Mobile Developers form and the Polsky Center will work with you to determine ownership.
- The University owns the app if you’re a student or staff member AND you used University resources to build this app through your employment at the University. University-owned apps are published according to University guidelines.
- You own the app if you’re a student or staff member AND you used your own resources to build this app. There’s one guideline to follow in this case.
For faculty
- If you have a great idea for an app, but don’t have the resources to make it happen, we’d like to know about it. Fill out our Mobile Developers form.
- If you have an app underway or finished, the guidelines depend on ownership. Fill out our Mobile Developers form and the Polsky Center will work with you to determine ownership.
- The University may own the app if you’re a faculty member AND you used University resources to build this app. The University regards native mobile apps as software, therefore existing University statutes govern the ownership. See table below for additional information. University-owned apps are published according to University guidelines.
| What type of app are you creating? | Example | Software Classification | University interest? |
|---|---|---|---|
| An app intended to result in informing or educating the user | An iPad application that teaches the user Italian through an Italian translation of Dante. The app is a dynamic presentation of the text. | Textual software | No. The author can publish and retain full ownership, however, he or she must abide by Statute 19. See Self Publishing Guidlines |
| An app intended to result in the accomplishment of a task or in allowing the user to produce, manage, analyze, or manipulate a product, such as data, text, a physical object, or more software. | An iPad application designed for reading, recording, and submitting assignments in language courses. | Device-like software | Yes. University statutes identify device-like software, like inventions, as a type of property owned by the University. See Publishing your app through the University |
For vendors and project managers
Mobile components of University-owned software need to be reviewed by the University of Chicago Mobile Team before they are released for download. Fill out our disclosure form to begin the review.
Here is what we will be evaluating:
- Your identity compliance. This includes appropriate use of color palette, references to the University, and general sensibilities. Please visit Visual Identity for more information.
- Your copy. We will work with you to create the correct copy for iTunes and Google Play. This includes descriptive text, appropriate links to support, and keywords.
University-published app guidelines
If your app is or will be owned through the University, the following guidelines apply:
- The app will be pubished on iTunes, Google Play and elsewhere through the University’s official accounts.
- After filling out our Mobile Developers form you’ll be contacted by IT Services.
- IT Services and the Polsky Center will work with you to incorporate identity requirements, end user agreements, and privacy policies into your app; evaluate your app for accessibility requirements; make arrangements for royalty distribution if you will sell your app; publish your application in the official University of Chicago iTunes store; and help you determine ongoing support for your app.
- Once your app has been published, you’ll be expected to: provide ongoing support and updates for your apps. IT Services will routinely check apps offered under the official University account. Any apps that do not work for the latest version of the mobile operating system will be removed.
Self-published app guidelines
If your app is owned by you:
- You will publish the app to iTunes, Google Play and elsewhere using your personal account.
- You cannot use the University wordmark in your app. Statute 19 states: “The University will not permit its name or other trademarks to be used to endorse or support a commercial firm, product or service. Any uses of the University’s name or other trademarks not precluded by the preceding sentence require the approval of the President or his or her designee”