Emmanuel College Social Media Policy

I.     PURPOSE
 

To establish guidelines for Emmanuel College employees who are responsible for managing College social media accounts, help them understand how the College policies apply to digital communications such as blogs and social media, and to guide them in using social media platforms. The guidelines apply to content that all Emmanuel College departments publish on Emmanuel-hosted websites and Emmanuel College-branded profiles and channels. Any questions about these guidelines should be directed to the Office of Marketing Communications.

II.     AUTHORIZED SOCIAL MEDIA PERSONNEL

 Emmanuel College departments, with the approval of their department Vice President and the Emmanuel College Office of Marketing Communications, are able to create and maintain a presence on social media channels including, but not limited to, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, blogs and Instagram.

Emmanuel College’s Office of Marketing Communication is the only office or department permitted to establish or maintain the College’s main branded social media accounts. The Director of Marketing Communications may designate staff to assist with social media communications.

All other branded Emmanuel College accounts—which includes any and all accounts administered by a College employee using the Emmanuel College name, logos, and/or nicknames, or accounts that represent an Emmanuel College School, department, office or program. All branded accounts represent the College. Individuals who run the accounts may not express personal opinions or use College branding without authorization or accountability. 

The Office of Marketing Communications must be given log-in access and/or made an administrator on the account to ensure longevity of accounts. Ultimate authority with regard to content on Emmanuel College branded accounts lies with the Vice President of College Relations, and acceptable content will be determined at the Vice President of College Relations’ discretion.

III.     ACCEPTABLE USE BY AUTHORIZED SOCIAL MEDIA PERSONNEL

They should do so in ways that are professional, accurate, ethical and in adherence with the Emmanuel brand. Posted content must stay on target with official key messages established by the College and individual departments and offices.

Departments and offices have a responsibility to ensure that content posted by, or on the behalf of, their department or office adheres to all Emmanuel College policies and appropriate laws that govern the public dissemination of information and privacy, including HIPAA and FERPA.

To that end, departments should periodically review the guidelines for College social media accounts established by the College and consult with Marketing Communications if they have questions about their implementation.

All College accounts should also post guidelines for engagement, where possible, on social media channels. These guidelines should be consistently applied to all users and expected of all social media operators. 

All College employees should also review the guidelines for personal social media use.

IV.     SCOPE

This policy applies to all digital communications and social media content/accounts managed by any school, department, office or program of Emmanuel College, and any employee acting on its behalf.

V.     ENFORCEMENT OF POLICY

Failure to follow this policy and the guidelines listed within may result in revocation of privileges to maintain Emmanuel College-sponsored social media, as well as disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.

I have received and read a copy of the Emmanuel College Social Media Policy.  I agree to abide by this policy.