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At Michigan Engineering, internet addresses for websites and services — commonly referred to as “subdomains” or “hostnames” — identify online resources and establish their connection to the College and University. For reference:
- Hostname: The specific name assigned to a website or service.
- Subdomain: A subdivision of a larger domain, such as engin.umich.edu, used to organize sites or services under a recognizable branch.
Selecting the appropriate subdomain or hostname enhances recognition and trust among students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
Use of engin.umich.edu Hostnames and Subdomains
Use of hostnames ending in engin.umich.edu for websites, applications, and services affiliated with the College (e.g., myservice.engin.umich.edu) is recommended. This approach provides several important benefits:
- Clear Michigan Engineering Affiliation
Internet addresses that end with engin.umich.edu clearly indicate the resource’s association with Michigan Engineering.
- Campus IT Support
Many College and University IT services, including CAEN Web Publishing, require require internet addresses within the umich.edu or engin.umich.edu domains. External domains (those not ending in umich.edu) are typically ineligible for such services.
- Policy Compliance and Stewardship
Use of engin.umich.edu hostnames aligns with University DNS policy and supports responsible management of digital assets.
Requests for hostnames and subdomains ending in engin.umich.edu are reviewed to ensure alignment with Michigan Engineering needs and established naming conventions. Service owners are expected to exercise responsible stewardship of these internet addresses. CAEN reserves the right to decline requests, reserve certain hostnames to support broader College initiatives, or disable or redirect traffic if a hostname is associated with security, reputational, or policy risks, or is found to be involved in misuse or other harmful activity.
Limitations on Use for Student-Managed or Time-Limited Sites
Hostnames and subdomains within engin.umich.edu are intended to represent a long-term affiliation with Michigan Engineering. CAEN will not assign or point engin.umich.edu hostnames to externally hosted student portfolios, personal sites, or similar time-limited resources. Student participation in the University is typically temporary, and these sites are often designed to be short-lived or individually managed. Faculty sponsors, research groups, and established business units are better positioned to provide the long-term stewardship, continuity, and risk ownership associated with College-branded hostnames.
Other Michigan Engineering Affiliated Subdomains
A few units affiliated with Michigan Engineering have their own top-level umich.edu subdomains, typically due to historical independence or significant collaboration with other U-M units (examples include umtri.umich.edu, bme.umich.edu, and eecs.umich.edu). In cases where an engin.umich.edu hostname is not suitable because of the scope or nature of a project, use of a hostname in a unit-specific subdomain — such as those mentioned — may be appropriate, subject to availability and consultation with the relevant unit’s IT personnel.
Other umich.edu Subdomains and Hostnames
When neither engin.umich.edu nor an affiliated subdomain meets a project’s needs — for instance, in a University-wide initiative — it may be appropriate to request a hostname within the umich.edu domain. ITS oversees the process for establishing new subdomains and hostnames associated with umich.edu.
Hostnames and subdomains under umich.edu maintain strong U-M identity and association.
Use of External (Non-umich.edu) Domain Names
Use of domain names outside umich.edu (such as those ending in .org, .com, or .net) is generally discouraged because of the following risks and limitations:
- Potential Loss of Eligibility for Campus Services
Many campus services, including CAEN Web Publishing, cannot support or integrate with external domains for technical and administrative reasons.
- Increased Administrative Burden
The sponsoring unit is wholly responsible for registration, renewals, DNS management, and long-term maintenance.
- Support Limitations
CAEN and ITS may not be able to assist with configuration, integration, or troubleshooting for external domains.
- Security and Continuity Risks
Without campus oversight, external domains are more vulnerable to lapses in management, security incidents, and reputational impacts.
- Procurement Considerations
If your unit determines that an external domain is required, please be aware that University policies may require registration and management through institutional purchasing processes rather than personal accounts. Prior approval from senior unit leadership may also be required. For details, refer to ITS domain name guidelines and the External Domain Registration Form.
Summary of Process and Considerations
When requesting a domain, consider:
- Is there a compelling reason your needs cannot be met using an engin.umich.edu subdomain?
- If so, would a umich.edu subdomain be appropriate instead?
- If there is a clear justification for an external domain, have you assessed the risks and burdens?
- Are you prepared to accept responsibility for all aspects of management if you proceed with an external domain?
For questions regarding domain names for Michigan Engineering, contact CAEN or email caen@umich.edu.