Social Media Policy

Policy Number: #500

Responsible Executive(s):

  • Senior Vice President and CFO

Responsible Office(s):

  • Information Technology

 

Social Engagement 

The purpose of the social media policy is to serve as the institutional guideline to assist you in starting and/or maintaining a social media presence as a member of the Regis University community. This policy applies to all social media channels which include, but are not limited to, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Flickr, Wikipedia, blogs and chat groups.

As we recognize that social media tools, uses and challenges are evolving rapidly, please consider our social media policy as a work-in-progress. We will revise and update it to address new developments. We also welcome your suggestions and thoughts to ensure the policy supports your needs and expectations on social media use.

To provide you with a quick reference to the official social media sites at Regis University, we have created a social media listing for your use.

General Guidlines

Keep it Fresh: 

Always keep your social media site active with appropriate, accurate and timely content. If you do not have the time or commitment to maintain your social media site with updates on a regular basis, it is best to consider another communication channel to connect with your audience. The University’s Marketing and Communications office may contact you to consider removing your social media site if the content has not been updated for more than three months.

Respect Confidentiality: 

Strictly adhere to the University’s privacy and confidentiality policies. Be mindful not to compromise the university’s integrity or reputation by commenting, discussing or disclosing information that should not to be shared in a public domain. At the same time, refrain from posting confidential or proprietary information about Regis University, its students, its alumni or your colleagues.

Students, faculty and staff in health care programs or those students performing internships and/or clinical rotations at any health care facility must adhere to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act privacy law (HIPAA) by not disclosing, posting or discussing any patient or student protected health care information. Such protected information includes, among other things, photographs or information that reasonably could be used to identify the individual.

Exercise Discretion:

Please be aware that you will be responsible for your postings on your own social media sites or on the sites of others. Always be respectful, thoughtful and discrete in your postings as they can be perceived as the official position or voice of the University.

Negative Posts:

In the social media world, negative posts are expected. Please do not react defensively. The goal of interacting on social media is to engage in a productive conversation. With regards to our Jesuit commitment to discernment, we embrace differing points of views. If possible, strive to improve the conversation in your favor. 

Rights of Removal:

While the University does not monitor or pre-screen content, it has the sole right to remove any postings deemed inappropriate, offensive, defamatory, hurtful and/or illegal. As you are well aware, social media channels have the tendency to amplify your comments to a worldwide audience. If you have any doubts about posting a comment or remark, it is wise not to do it.

Use a Disclaimer:

If you post comments related to your work, your office or the institution to other social media sites outside of the Regis University social media community, we strongly encourage you to include a disclaimer. The disclaimer must clearly state that the postings are your own and do not represent the views, opinions or positions of Regis University.

University Marks:

Use of University logos, seal to visual identity marks (including photographs) requires permission from the University’s Marketing and Communications office. Please adhere to the University’s design guidelines at all times. 

All officially listed University social media channels must work with the Marketing and Communications office in branding their channels.

Policy Compliance:

All postings must be in compliance with the following University policies. Any employee, faculty or staff found in violation of this policy may be subject to disciplinary action.

  • Copyright infringement policy
  • Responsible use of technology policy

Official Listing

Administrators of newly created university-related social media sites should inform the University’s Marketing and Communications (Marcom) office of their launch as well as grant Marcom access to their sites. This will enable them to be publicly listed on the University’s official social media webpage.

Social media accounts that include ‘Regis University,’ any Regis college name or Regis program name in their title could be construed as official accounts of the University, and as such, need to grant administrative access to the Marketing and Communications team in the event those accounts require maintenance.

Before you engage in setting up a university-related social media site, please consider the following questions as a starting point to help you make the decision:

  • Do you really need to have a social media presence?
  • Is your targeted audience excited about engaging on social media?
  • What is your social media strategy?
  • Can your content succeed in engaging your targeted audience on your social media platform?
  • Do you have the capacity to maintain the authentic participation on a regular basis?
  • How are you measuring and tracking your progress?

If you need any assistance on social media, please do not hesitate to contact Regis University’s Marketing and Communications office at socialmedia@regis.edu or 303.964.6574 for consultation.