First we need to answer another question, "What are "web standards'?"
Web standards are open specifications for languages and technologies developed by World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) which is an international industry consortium dedicated to "leading the Web to its full potential". Groups such as the Web Standards Project fight for standards which "ensure simple, affordable access to web technologies for all."
Adhering to standards make it easier for designers and developers to make pages comply with the WAI (W3C's web accessibility initiative) and Section 508 accessibility standards for people with disabilities. Standards compliance allows pages to be understood by people using all browsers including speech browsers or Braille browsers, allows easy porting of pages to a handheld device, and ensure that pages can be easily viewed by browsing technology yet to be developed. For more on accesibility take a look at the Web Standards Project page on accessibility.
Pages which adhere to standards are backwards and forwards compatible - developers do not have to redesign the page to take advantage of the latest proprietary deviation. Complying with standards makes it easier for machines and software to understand the structure of the document. As open standards are adopted, technology manufacturers (software and hardware) will design their products to utilize those standards.
Using standards on the UNC web is a progressive approach to web design and development. It allows compliance with secton 508 guidelines, makes official university pages readable in any browser or platform, and facilitates web application development for UNC developers by adhering to an international standard.