1. The University of Mississippi

Social Media

Ole Miss

1. PURPOSE

The proper and effective use of social media presents unequaled opportunities for the university to share its story in an authentic, transparent and timely manner while building richer, more substantive relationships with people we may not have reached through traditional communication channels. This policy defines the rules for the use of all Official University Social Media Accounts (as defined in section 3.3) to ensure that university-sponsored social media is both legal and in compliance with UM policies.

2. POLICY

  • 2.1       All Official University Social Media Accounts should be registered with University Marketing & Communications. Click here to register official social media accounts (LINK).
  • 2.2       The university is committed to fostering an educational environment that allows for freedoms of speech and expression in accordance with the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. At the same time, the university does not condone any activity or posting on an Official University Social Media Account that reflects exceptions to First Amendment protection, such as speech deemed to be unlawful, defamatory, or obscene. The university reserves the right to remove any such posting without notice. The university also reserves the right to refer social media activity to the applicable social media platform and/or authorities for further review and appropriate action.
  • 2.3       When posting, be aware of the copyright and intellectual property rights of others and of the university. Please refer to the UM policy on Copyright (Intellectual Property – LINK). Questions about fair use or copyrighted material should be directed to the Office of General Counsel (LINK).
  • 2.4       When using social media as a part of their official duties, and/or when presenting oneself in social media settings as a university representative, all faculty and staff should conduct themselves in a way that is befitting of the institution and complies with applicable university policies governing employee behavior and acceptable use of electronic and information resources.
  • 2.5       Primary administrative rights for Official University Social Media Accounts should be assigned only to university employees. Official University Social Media Accounts should have a Primary and a Secondary administrator to ensure that the site is managed consistently. Should the Primary administrator be unavailable, the Secondary administrator will manage the account to keep it current and monitor activity on the site. At least one of the administrators should be a permanent, full-time university employee.
  • 2.6       Do not post confidential or proprietary information about the university or its students, employees, patients or alumni. Employees must follow applicable federal requirements, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). All University of Mississippi employees should also abide by all NCAA regulations governing interactions between the institution and its employees and prospective student-athletes. All employees should refrain from contacting prospective student-athletes prior to the student-athlete signing a National Letter of Intent to enroll at the University of Mississippi. Please visit the Ole Miss Compliance website (LINK) and consult with Ole Miss Athletics Compliance Office if you have questions about content before posting.
  • 2.7       Do not use official logos, trademarks, or any other university images or iconography on personal social media sites. Refer to the University Marketing & Communications Creative Toolbox (LINK) for questions about university marks, logos, and images.
  • 2.8       All official social media accounts are digital representatives of the University of Mississippi. As such, it’s important to be accurate. When possible, link back to original source material on olemiss.edu websites. When linking to a news article about the university, check first to see whether you can link to a release on Ole Miss News, the official UM news website, instead of linking to an external publication or other media outlet. If you must link to an external original source of information outside of the university website, be sure to verify and confirm its accuracy.
  • 2.9       University Marketing & Communications reserves the right to govern the adoption and oversight of all Official University Social Media Accounts. UM employees who fail to comply with this policy will be referred to their supervisor for commensurate disciplinary action.

All university social media accounts must comply with any approved applicable university branding standards. Any use of official university logos, trademarks, or other images on Official University Social Media Accounts must have prior approval.*

*Brand standards are now under development as part of our relationship with Ologie

3. DEFINITIONS

  • 3.1       Social Media: Forms of electronic communication (such as websites for social networking and microblogging) through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages and other content (such as videos). Examples include, but are not limited to: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Snap, Twitter, YouTube, and other similar platforms or applications.
  • 3.2       Copyright: A form of intellectual property law protecting original works of authorship including literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works. A copyright does not protect facts, ideas, systems or methods of operation – only the way these objects may be expressed.
  • 3.3       Official University Social Media Account: A social media site that represents a University of Mississippi college, department, or official program. Any other social media site, such as a student organization site or an employee’s personal social media site, is NOT subject to this policy.