OM 7.24.0 Clarkson Social media Policy
Effective Date: October 2011 |
Policy Contact: Kelly Chezum |
PurposeIntroduction
As a leader in technological education and sustainable economic development through teaching, scholarship, research and innovation, Clarkson is committed to engaging in conversation relevant to these topics. Social media encompassexpands our ability to have conversations about Clarkson and its role in the world.
Keep in mind that running a social media account means you are representing Clarkson in a public space. In order to most effectively operate a ACDoc2025-02
social media account in a positive manner for the University, following these policies and practices will be key.
General Acknowledgements
This policy applies to all social media platforms, including, but not limited to sitesFacebook, suchX, asInstagram, FacebookYouTube, andSnapchat, MySpace (social networking)Google+, TwitterTumblr, (livePinterest, blogging), LinkedIn (professional networking), YouTube (video), Flickr (photo sharing), AOL Instant Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, etc.
It is importantmeant to be a living document that will transform as technologies change.
This policy is intended for ourall facultystudents, faculty, and staff who manage or contribute to followofficial theClarkson same standards while usingUniversity social media channels, which are defined as they do in their face-to-face interactions and other forms of communication with our constituencies. Even more so in our online dialogues, we must recognizechannels that even individually driven conversations are potentially public for the world to see how we treat and connect with others. We must obey all laws and we must show respect for others, just as we do in other forms of communication.
This policy and the following requirements apply to any situations where an employee is expressly or impliedly representing the University, as an employee of Clarkson in general and/or on behalf of a department, program, unit or the University in part or whole. This includes any activity in which the University is connected to the identity of the employee beyond simple identification of his or her affiliation with Clarkson, and includes any situation in which a reader might reasonably believe that the employee is actingspeak on behalf of the University.
The following points are intended to make deployment of this policy a positive exchangeUniversity and tohave helpsome to ensure that all Clarkson employees and departments, programs and units appropriately represent the University in social media.
Employee Conduct
University employees authorizedoversight bytheiruniversitysupervisor,staff.
Theseby department agreement, or faculty conducting academic inquiry may use social networking media to conduct University business consistent with this policy, the Clarkson University Acceptable Use Policy, the University Operations Manual and any other applicable University, department, program or unit policies, procedures, rules and/or regulations.The creation of officially recognized sites that represent the University and/or a department, program or unit of the University, that link from Clarkson.Edu, or that appear in published materials sponsored by the institution, have additional governance requirements associated with them as outlined below.
B. Your personal identity online and contact you provide
In forums recognized by Clarkson (see section C) and when using your Clarkson e-mail address, the University's domain, or your Clarkson title or other University resources in any social media covered by this policy, employees will be held responsible for following all applicable University policies, procedures, rules and regulations, includinginclude, butnot limited to the Acceptable Use Policy (http://www.clarkson.edu/studentaffairs/regulations/ix.html#F), copyright policy, procedures for the distribution of official university information and surveys, crisis communications procedures, and EEO/ Affirmative action/ Harassment policies.Employees may not disclose or use confidential or proprietary information of the University or any faculty, staff or student in any form of social networking media. This includes, but isare not limited to,informationchannelsprotectedforunderschools, academic departments, and offices at Clarkson.This policy DOES NOT apply to student organizations. Organizations should follow the
FamilyguidanceEducationalofRightstheir governing bodies and, when necessary, the direction of Student Affairs. Those student organizations that use the University’s logo must not manipulate it in any way. In addition, the university reserves the right to monitor andPrivacyrestrictActhow its logo and name are used.Section I - New Social Media Accounts
A. Marketing and External Relations (
FERPA).MER)Sharingcollaboratesthistotypereview and approve the establishment ofinformation, even unintentionally, can result in legal action against you and/or the University.If an employee conductsnew Universitybusiness using personal communications (e.g. personal email or on personalsocial mediasites),accounts.thenMERtheyalsoaredocumentsneverthelesstherepresentingUniversity's social media accounts and provides training and support to account administrators.
B. New social media accounts must use a generic or vanity email address to create a new account. The new account must have no fewer than two full-time employees as admins and the account must adhere to all policies outlined here.
C. Before creating any official social media account at ClarksoninUniversity,those transactions or situations. In personal posts, an employee may identify their affiliation as a Clarkson faculty or staff member. However, theyyou mustbefillclearoutthatandthey are sharing their views as a member ofsubmit thehigher education community, not as a formal representative of Clarkson. This is particularly important if you are a department head or administrator.
Startingdepartment andMaintainingsocialanmediaOfficiallyleadRecognizedfrom MER will meet with you to discuss communications strategies specific to your school or department.
D. Once you have completed the Social MediaSite:Account Request- form,
- please contact MER to discuss any ideas or concerns. The MER team reserves the right to deny any requests for new social media accounts.
Section II - Crisis Communication
A. Please pause any scheduled or planned posts during a crisis.
B. In the event of an emergency on campus, such as inclement weather or a campus crisis, MER will be in close communication with Campus Safety and any divisions or departments directly affected. Any public crisis management messaging will originate with a Clarkson Alert shared directly to the University’s Facebook and X accounts at the same time as an alert goes out to campus phones, emails, and text messages.Section III - Social Media Management
A. Departments, programs or units of the University that would like to create or maintain a social media account that represents the department, program or unit, that link from Clarkson.edu and/or that appear in the University’s published materials must apply for recognition from
the Director of News & Digital Content Services inthe Marketing & External Relations office. Together they will discuss the purpose of the account and how they plan to use and maintain it. After receiving approval from the Marketing & External Relations office, the user may create the new account subject to the terms of this policy and any requirements imposed as a condition of approval. The University reserves the right to revoke or limit approval at any time in its sole discretion.
B. Account Departments,administratorsprogramsareor units will be required to have a planresponsible forkeeping their social media sites up-to-date, and that considers their message, audience, and goals. It may be in a department, program or unit’s best interest to collaborate with others who are serving similar audiences to maximize reach and maintain fresh content inreviewing the social mediavenue.policy, strategy - and brand guidelines with MER. The MER team will maintain an updated list of University social media accounts.
C. Other than "official" social media pages maintained by the Marketing & External Relations office, no department, program or unit should consider its social media site as representing, or allow its social media site to be constructed and/or operated in a manner that states or implies that it represents, the University as a whole.
D. Passwords Ashouldminimumbeofchangedtwoimmediately(non-student)when an individual with access to your account leaves the department or organization. All passwords should be stored securely in a password management tool, with access granted to or removed from individuals as necessary. All
password changes must be reported to MER so they may update their records. E. All relevant Universityemployeessocialinmediagoodaccountstandingpasswords must remain on file with MER, and/or a MER team member must be listed asadministrators of the account. (Three are recommended.) If the service does not allow more than one administrator,acopy of the login and password information must be provided to your supervisor and updated if it is changed. If there are not two employees available to serve as account administrators, or if a supervisor requests, a member of the Marketing & External Relations office will serve in that capacity.Should an employeefull administratorof an account leave the University, be reassigned to a position not having responsibility overon the account,havedependinghis or her responsibility foron theaccountplatform.
F.revoked, or for any reason no longer wish or be authorized to be an account administrator, another employee must be designated as an account administrator, and the password or other access code for the account must be changed immediately.- Employees identified as administrators of accounts are responsible for managing and monitoring content, including without limitation ensuring that postings are consistent with other Clarkson published materials on the same topic. They are responsible for removal of any content that violates applicable federal, state or municipal laws, rules or regulations; University policies, procedures, rules or regulations; or the terms of use for the site on which the account is maintained. The University reserves the right to require the alteration or removal of content that it deems to be contrary to (a) any applicable federal, state or municipal law, rule or regulation, (b) any applicable University policy, procedure, rule or regulation, and/or (c) the best interests of the University.
- The University has adopted a variety of policies, procedures, rules and regulations that specify the manner in which concerns or complaints regarding certain issues are to be reported (e.g., campus safety and security issues, allegations of discrimination, harassment and/or other human resources concerns, allegations of research improprieties, conflicts of interest, environmental health and safety issues, etc.). A University, departmental, program or unit social media site and/or page approved pursuant to this policy is not responsible for receiving and acting on such concerns and/or complaints, and may not state or imply that it is so authorized, unless expressly designated as having such responsibilities. Employees should understand that the posting of such concerns and/or complaints on approved sites or pages does not ensure that they will be received and acted upon by appropriate University personnel, and the University cannot guarantee that posted concerns and/or complaints will be addressed in a timely manner, if at all. Therefore, employees desiring to report such concerns and complaints should instead use the officially designated resources and processes identified in the relevant Clarkson policies, procedures, rules and regulations.
H. Once a department, program or unit social media account has been approved by the University, it will be reviewed periodically by the Marketing & External Relations office to ensure that it is accurately and acceptably representing Clarkson and remains in active usage. Employee administrators of recognized social media sites that are dormant for more than a three-month period will be asked to remove them or the University will require their removal.- The words “Clarkson University” and our logos, trademarks and service marks (collectively, the “Clarkson Marks”) are the property of Clarkson
University. If you plan to use any Clarkson Marks in a social media account, the logos must first be submitted to the Director of News & Digital Content Services in the Marketing & External Relations office for approval of the proposed use. The Clarkson Marks may only be used on social media officially recognized by Clarkson pursuant to this policy. The Clarkson University "seal" is reserved for special honors and to signify corporate agreements and should not be used online in social media.
G. HIPAA/FERPA - please contact MER to discuss any ideas or concerns. The MER team reserves the right to deny any requests for new social media accounts.
WorkingViolation: Social media account managers should take steps in advance to prevent the exposure of confidential medical or student information. Confidential information should never be posted online.
J. Photos should be inspected closely before publication to make sure no confidential, personal information, such as Social Security numbers, addresses, or academic records, can be seen. Never publish a name or photo without that individual’s permission.Section IV - Transparency
A. To both protect the University name and build trust with users, social media such as blogs, Facebook pages, X feeds, etc. that are established on behalf of Clarkson entities should be explicit regarding the nature of the relationship of such media to Clarkson.
visual form, should not be made on official accounts. As a
B. Similarly, in keeping with Clarkson’s non-profit status, social media should not be used for any private business or financial transactions including revenue from advertising, nor should any staff with administrative responsibilities realize any personal monetary profit from Clarkson-related social media. Social media may be used for fundraising as long as a transaction does not occur on the social media platformrepresentingitself.
C.aPersonaldepartment,opinionsprogramshould not be expressed through official social media accounts.
D. Political statements, whether in text orunit:representativetax-exempt organization, the University is prohibited from participating in a political campaign on behalf ofClarksonorwhoinwishesopposition toengageanyincandidatepostingandinissocial media forumssubject toengageotherindividualsrequirements.withSection
yourVdepartment,-programCopyrightorA.
unit,Clarksonyouofficialareaccountsexpected to:Follow the terms and conditions set forth by each social media venue andmust adhere toourFairownUseClarksonofUniversityCopyrightedpolicies,Materialsprocedures,whenrulesposting intellectual property, including photos andregulations.videos, Obeyonline.
B. Materials posted online should be your property, in thelaw.publicFollowdomain,local,havestateaandCreativefederalCommonslaws,license,rulesorandfallregulations,underincludingfairwithoutuse.limitationForthoseallpertainingothertoinstances, you should seek permission from the copyrightandholder.
C.otherPhotosintellectualfrompropertyClarkson’srights.photo archives Respectshouldtheonlyrightsbeandpostedprivacywithofpermission.
D.others.WhereEnsure you have permission to name a student, alumnus, fellow employee or other third party in a blog or other posting
Best Practices to Engage Your Audiences via Social Media
The University expects that all employees utilizing social media covered by this policy will utilize the followingpossible, best practices:
Overall, be selective and thoughtful about where you post and how you reply or choose not to reply. It is perfectly acceptable to invite a phone call to discuss something or refer someone to the appropriate office. When in doubt, don’t say it.A commonpracticeamong individuals who write about the industry in which they workis to include credit/attribution.
E. On Facebook and YouTube/Vimeo, Clarkson asks that you include adisclaimercredit.
F. Please contact MER with any questions onyourFairsite,Useusuallyand tips for locating royalty-free music, and images and photographs that permit re-use with Creative Commons licenses.
G. When using photographs or graphics, repurposing content or sharing information, be mindful of copyright and Fair Use laws. Images cannot be “taken” off the Internet without explicit permission from the owner. Individuals must secure permission when including copyrighted or trademarked material and include a permission statement or disclaimer, as required by the owner.
H. For more information, visit the U.S. Copyright Office at copyright.gov.
I. The University’s logos also are trademarked and can be used only by authorized social media accounts. Clarkson has created a Brand Toolkit which includes approved University logos and icons. Click here to access the toolkit.Section VI - Inactive Accounts
Section VII - Accessibility
Clarkson University is committed to ensuring effective access to communications materials for all members of the University community, including individuals with disabilities.
Visually impaired individuals and those with other disabilities may confront significant barriers when accessing certain information through social media. Accordingly, individuals who maintain social media on behalf of the University should take steps to reduce barriers to access for individuals with disabilities.
For example, enabling screen reader compatibility, captioning, and descriptive tags on images can help reduce barriers to accessing information for individuals with disabilities. Most major social media platforms, including Facebook, YouTube and X, provide access solutions for individuals with disabilities, including application programming interfaces (API) that enable the creation of applications that enhance accessibility of content.
It is important to keep in mind that APIs do not eliminate or resolve all accessibility challenges. For additional and more current resources on improving access to Clarkson-related social media and Clarkson websites for individuals with disabilities, please contact the MER team.
A. Alternative Text
Most accessibility issues on social media arise from embedded images, which may not be meaningful to the visually impaired. Adding alt text to images can resolve most of these issues.
Alt text describes the content of images, graphs and charts in amannerway thatcouldmakesreasonably lead readerssense tobelieveusers employing assistive technology such as screen readers.Alt text should answer the question: What is the content conveyed by the image?
Tip: When posting to social media, always consider how the post would appear without the embedded image. Is the user receiving the same information that they would if the image were visible?
Note: Purely decorative images, which don’t add information to the content of a post, need not be described in alt tags. However, such images should be provided with null (empty) alt text (alt="") so that they can be ignored by assistive technologies, such as screen readers.
B. Accessibility for X
When you Tweet photos using the X app for iOS or Android, or on twitter.com, you should compose a description of the images so the content is accessible to more people, including those who are blind or low-vision.
Good image descriptions are concise and descriptive, helping people understand what’s happening in an image and the reason for including the image. If posting a picture of a flier or document, the alt text should consist of the entire text contained in the image. See X's tutorial on writing great image descriptions.
To add image descriptions on X:
Click on the Tweet compose button, or press the “n” key to use the keyboard shortcut.
Attach your photo(s). Note: For detailed instructions about adding photos to your Tweets, read this article.
To insert descriptive text, click "Add description."Type your description of the image (the limit is 1000 characters) and select Save. An ALT badge will appear in the corner of the image. To edit the description, re-open the "Add description" dialog prior to posting the Tweet.
You can add a description to each image in a Tweet. When someone selects the ALT badge, the image description appears on screen. Note: Image descriptions cannot be added to videos.
See the full procedure from X.
C. Accessibility for Facebook
Facebook adds machine-generated alt text automatically. However, the machine-generated text may not be sufficiently accurate, and automated alt-text does not recognize text contained within images. Therefore it is recommended that you add descriptive text along with pictures that you post to Facebook. Ideally, the descriptive text you write will both explain and enhance the meaning of the picture.
To see and edit alt text for a photo before you post it:
Click Photo/Video at the top of your News Feed.
Select the photo you want to add.
Hover over the photo and click Edit.
The automatically generated text will be shown on the left side of your photo. Click Override generated alt text to edit it.
Write your alt text in the box. To change back to the automatically generated text, click Clear.
To save your alt text, click Save in the bottom left.
To change the alt text of a photo after you've posted it:
Click the photo to open it.
Click in the top right and select Change Alt Text.
Click Override generated alt text or change the alt text in the text box. You can also click Clear to change your edited alt text back to the automatically generated text.
Click Save.
D. Accessibility for YouTube
In order to be accessible, YouTube videos must include captions that reflect all audio information, including sound effects or music, and identify speakers. YouTube will generate captions for most videos subsequent to upload, but machine-generated captions may be inaccurate and will probably require editing.
If the video includes visual information that is needed to understand what the video is communicating (e.g., athlete demonstrates how to lift weights safely) it is necessary to include an audible description of that information on the video soundtrack. Creating and cross-linking an audio-described alternative version of the original video is an acceptable solution. The audio-described version should be posted at the same time as the original version.
Examples:
Riding the Bus Safely (original)
Riding the Bus Safely (audio-described version)E. Accessibility for Instagram
Automatic alt text uses object recognition technology to provide a visual description of photos for people with visual impairments. You can replace this text to provide a better description of a photo. Keep in mind that this description will only be read if someone is using a screen reader to access Instagram.
To see and edit alt text for a photo before you post it on Instagram:
Start by taking a photo or uploading an existing photo to Instagram.
Choose a filter and edit the image, then tap Next.
Tap Advanced Settings at the bottom of the screen.
Tap Write Alt Text.
Write your alt text in the box and tap Done (iOS) or Save (Android)
To change the alt text of a photo after you've already posted it on Instagram:
Go to the photo and tap (iOS) or (Android).
Tap Edit.
Tap Edit Alt Text in the bottom right.
Write the alt text in the box and tap Done (iOS) or (Android).
Section VIII - Relevant University Policies and Procedures
Information Technology Policies
Human Resource Policies
Faculty Definitions and PoliciesSection IX - Expectations/Tips
Follow these guidelines for a successful social media presence and to maintain unity with the Clarkson brand.
A. Have a Strategy
Before getting involved with social media, consider your objectives and your target audience. Consider whether a social medium is the right conduit to meet these goals. Finally, develop a strategy for how you will use your chosen medium. If you’d like assistance in building a strategy, contact your departmental marketing liaison.
B. Research
Each medium carries its own set of customs and etiquettes and a unique lexicon. Take time to study the channel you’ll be working with prior to posting content to avoid being considered inauthentic and uneducated by the online community. Keep in mind that you are
speakingaonUniversitybehalfrepresentative and will be perceived as such.C. Be Involved
D. Be Transparent
Make sure it is clear to your community who you
shouldareincludeand what your role is at the University. Authenticity is asentencefundamentalsimilarcomponent of any social media environment.Make sure the content you post is appropriate for your audience and what you want to
this:achieve.“TheBeviewsfactual,expressedprovideonsourcesthisor[blog,linkswebsite]forareclaimsmineyoualonemake, fix errors quickly, and do notnecessarilyspam.reflectYou must keep your business/professional use of social media completely separate from your personal use. Use of University resources (time, equipment, networks) for personal purposes violates both State law and University policy. Accordingly, your use of social media as a University representative may not link to or reference content in your personal profile/account.
E. Be Respectful
Be tolerant of others’ opinions, avoid antagonizing anyone, and take the
viewshigh road when provoked. Remember, you are a member of the ClarksonUniversity.”community, and Whensopostingrepresent not only your department but also the University itself.Part of what makes social media such a powerful tool is its ability to produce a
blog,pleasantkeepenvironment for open dialogue. Therefore censoring dialogue is not common. However, circumstances will arise when, as a forum host, you must initiate action to remove user-generated content. At thetoneoutset, articulate a clear behavioral policy for your audience. Consider how your failure to remove discriminatory or defamatory content would be perceived by the poster, your forum audience and the general public.Do not overreact to the appearance of
yournegativecomments respectful and informative. Avoid personal attacks, online fights, and hostile communications. If a blogger or any other online influencer posts a statement with which you disagree, voice your opinion,content, but donotaddressescalateit. Keep in mind that removing a negative post may put an idea out of sight, but discussing and deconstructing it has theconversationpower toachangeheatedminds.argument.F.
Be WriteAccessiblereasonably,Clarkson
factually,University is committed to providing students, faculty, staff and visitors withgood humor. Understand and credit the other person's point of view and avoid any communications that could result in personal, professional, or credibility attacks.When lawful, appropriate and possible, provide a linkaccess toyour supporting documents or your own profile on campus. This will help raise youronlinerankingresources.results,Alltoo.authorizedSolicit help from the Marketing & External Relations office to respond to someone who questions or impugns the credibility of the University.Post frequently. A small amount of action on aClarkson social mediapagesitesismustalmostmakeascertainbadthatasallhavingresourcesnoarepageavailableatinall.aInformatorderaccessible tokeepusersthewithaudiencedisabilities.
Varyingengaged,accessibilitytryoptionstoarecomment or provide an update at least once a week. Leave yourself an “appointment to post”available onyour calendar to remind you to update thesocial mediasite.platforms. University Keepaccountsyourmustaudience in mind. Rememberensure thatmany different kinds of people have access to view thesocialmediapostsaccountarewhen posting. While writing in a style appropriateaccessible to themedium,greatest extent possible. The following guidelines should besure to consider thisused whendisplayingposting.informationG.
soUsingasPhotosto not alienate any of the potential students, alumni, prospective students, parents, etc.Post accurate information. Many people will have access to informationPhotographs posted on social media
sites.sitesEnsureeasily can be appropriated by visitors. Posting pictures of people that have already been published by one of the main university platforms is fine. However, when posting images of groups smaller than three, each member of the group should be asked for permission if the image can easily be identified.H. Have a Plan
Departments should consider their messages, audiences and goals, as well as a strategy for keeping information
isoncorrectsocialbeforemediaitsitesisup-to-date.postedThe MER team can assist andconsistentadvise you withotheryour social media planning.The majority of content shared should be original content
I. Link Back to the University
Whenever possible, link back to Clarkson
publishedUniversitymaterialssites.onIdeally,thepostssameshouldtopic.be very Spellingbrief;andredirectinggrammaracheck.visitorWe’retoin the education business and withcontent thatcomesresidesa set of expectations. Double check all spelling and grammar before posting.Fix errors quickly. When mistakes occur, fix them as soon as possible. Do not wait, or simply leave the error up.Livewithin the ClarksonValues.web environment.- When
Integrity:linkingHonestyto a news article about Clarkson, check first to see whether you can link to a release directly from clarkson.edu.Priority for posting is given to the main university accounts for any content that is created either by, or in conjunction with, the MER team.
For any official University social media account, the social media icon and/or profile image must comply with any applicable University branding standards.
J. Institutional Social Media Commenting Policy
The University expects conversations to follow the rules of polite discourse and
accountabilityasksinthatourparticipantsactionstreat each other with respect. The University reserves the right to delete any comments. University employees will not post or approve post comments that include:Harassment or personal attacks toward specific individuals or groups
Profanity and
wordsvulgarformortheabusivefoundationlanguageThreats of
our relationship with others. Be truthful in all matters, including without limitation your credentials (such as degrees earned, titles held, research published) and facts about the institution, department, programphysical orunitbodilyitself.harmTeamwork:informationCredit(forappropriatelyexample,justinformationasthatyoucouldwouldcompromiseinpublicscholarly worksafety orteambasedintellectualprojects:property)doOffensive terms
Vendor/commercial promotions that are not
violateofficiallycopyrightssanctionedorbyotherClarksonintellectual property rights and cite/link the materials borrowed from others.Diligence: Fact check your posts. Spell and grammar check everything. Remember: Content never disappears entirely. Mistakes still happen – correct errors promptly.
Sensitive
Further questions regarding the Social Media Policy can be directed to the Director of News & Digital Content Services in the Marketing & External Relations office.
History
Approved October 2011
Revised October 2024