How to Identify the Authoritative Source for GSU Information
Information about Georgia State’s people, programs, resources and services often appears across multiple university websites and systems. Before adding information to your website, determine whether an authoritative source already exists.
An authoritative source is the university source responsible for maintaining a particular piece of information. Other websites can then connect users to that source rather than creating and maintaining separate copies.
This approach helps GSU move toward a more connected information ecosystem: enter information once, connect it intelligently and reuse it everywhere.
Why Authoritative Sources Matter
The same information may appear in a directory, department website, college website, program page or research center. When each location maintains its own copy, information can become inconsistent or outdated.
For example, you might find different GSU pages listing:
· 120 credit hours versus 124 credit hours
· A March 1 application deadline versus March 15
· A faculty member as an associate professor on one page and professor on another
When conflicting information exists, users—and search or AI tools—may not know which version to trust.
Before Adding Information to Your Website
Ask these questions:
1. Does this information already exist somewhere at GSU? Search GSU websites and systems before creating another version.
2. Who is responsible for the information? Identify the office, department or system responsible for maintaining the information.
3. Is there an authoritative record? Determine whether the information comes from an established university source that should remain the primary record.
4. Can you connect to the existing information instead of copying it? When appropriate, link to or reference the authoritative source rather than maintaining another copy.
5. What should you do if the authoritative information is incorrect? Work with the information owner to correct it at the source instead of correcting only the copy on your website.
Think Beyond Your Individual Website
Students and other users generally do not think about which Georgia State unit owns a particular website or system. They are trying to answer questions such as:
· What program is right for me?
· How much does it cost?
· Who can help me?
Internally, those answers may come from different websites, systems and offices. To the user, however, it is all Georgia State.
Your website therefore does not need to contain every piece of information a user might need. Its role can also be to connect users with the appropriate GSU information and help them continue their journey.
Example
Suppose your department website needs to mention an application deadline.
If the office responsible for admissions already maintains the official deadline, avoid creating a separate version that your department will need to update independently. Instead, connect users to the authoritative admissions information when appropriate.
If the deadline changes, the authoritative source can be updated once rather than requiring multiple GSU websites to discover and correct their individual copies.
The Goal Connect Rather Than Duplicate
A webpage is only one way information is presented. Faculty can connect to research and programs; programs can connect to faculty, careers, admissions and courses; and student questions can connect to resources across the university.
By identifying and using authoritative sources, GSU communicators can reduce duplicate maintenance, improve consistency and create a more connected experience for users.
Update once. Improve everywhere.
Keywords: authoritative sources, source of truth, official university information, content duplication, duplicate content, content governance, information ownership, content reuse, content consistency, GSU websites, university systems, connected information, information ecosystem