Social Media Definition
Social media includes user generated web-content and mobile technologies used to turn communication into interactive dialogue. (Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia Foundation, Inc. 10 March 2012. Web) Social media is an important method of interaction and collaboration between students, parents, faculty, staff, alumni and more. Examples include but are not limited to Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Linkedln, and Blogs.
The social media guidelines described here will apply to all staff members (professional, support and student) in the Student Affairs Division at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. A Social Media Representative will be appointed by the chair of the Student Affairs Technology Committee to monitor the division’s social media communications. The appointment will last for one year. There are no limitations on the number of years a person can be appointed. The current Social Media Representative is Renee Besse (besser@unk.edu, 308-865-8782).
Content Guidelines
The Division of Student Affairs Social Media Representative will not pre-screen content and reserves the right to remove any content that violates UNK policies or guidelines.
- Protect confidential and proprietary information. Do not post confidential or proprietary information about the University of Nebraska at Kearney, students, employees or alumni. Postings must follow federal requirements such as FERPA, HIPAA, NCAA regulations as well as university privacy and confidentiality policies.
- Respect copyright and fair use. Be mindful of copyright and intellectual property rights. Any questions related to copyrighted material should be directed to staff at the Calvin T Ryan Library (308) 865-8598.
- Use of UNK logos. All policies, procedures, and guidelines regarding University trademarks, names and symbols apply to social media networking sites. Direct questions regarding appropriate use of logos to staff in Advertising and Creative Services (308) 865-8134.
- Respect university time and property. University computers and time on the job are reserved for university related business as approved by office supervisors.
- Use good judgment.
- Think twice before posting. Privacy does not exist in the world of social media. Consider what could happen if a post becomes widely known and how that may reflect both on the person who posted and the university.
- Strive for accuracy. Get the facts straight before posting them on social media. Review content for grammatical and spelling errors.
- Remember your audience. Be aware that a presence in the social media world is or easily can be made available to the public at large (prospective student, current student, colleagues, peers, parents). Consider this before publishing to ensure the post will not alienate, harm or provoke any of these groups.
- o If you identify yourself as an employee of UNK in a social media communication you should not post your personal views/opinions.
- Link back to the university. Whenever appropriate, link back to the UNK Web site.
- Removal of inappropriate content. If content is identified to violate UNK policies or guidelines the director of the office will be contacted and the person who posted the content will be asked to remove it.
Establishing a Social Media Presence
- Notify the Student Affairs Technology Committee. Division of Student Affairs offices that have a social media page or would like to start one should contact their representative on the committee. In order to be listed on the Student Affairs Social Media page a Social Media Application must be submitted to the Student Affairs Technology Committee. This Social Media Application can be downloaded from the Division of Student Affairs home page (click here).
- Minimum of two administrators per social media site. At least two staff
members are to have administrator access to each social media site.
- Create Office Procedures
- Administrator responsibilities
- Administrator checkout procedures to address when an administrator of a social media site leaves UNK.
- Schedule for reviewing social media sites and keeping the sites up-to-date.
Helpful Links When Using Social Media
Student Affairs Social Media Sites