However, others who view the Web site as a publication related to the University argue that ads could be allowed without harming Brown's reputation, much like advertising in the Brown Alumni Magazine does not affect its editorial content. Still others say there is no way to stop advertising on the Web. A lthough advertisements are standard in television, radio, newspapers and magazines, guidelines are not clear in the new worldwide media, and colleges and universities nationwide are struggling with how to regulate their sites. The committee's next meeting is Oct. 20. We want to know what Brown thinks about this.
Web ads come in various forms.
The most obvious is the banner ad that spreads across the top or bottom of a screen, said Handler. It can be compared to selling a piece of real estate on the Web page. That is when a site contains a company logo upon which the user can click to link to that company's site. For those who perceive the Web site as a virtual campus, a link to a company's Web site is like having a door in the department that leads to the company's store, said Handler. Others, however, may perceive the company logos as prestigious, reflecting the caliber of the companies where Brown graduates get jobs, said Thomas Wunderlich, associate dean of research for the Graduate School.