This policy limits authority for representing University of South Carolina Aiken (hereafter “UofSC Aiken”) in an official capacity through social media accounts. It is intended to clarify expectations for authorized personnel acting on behalf of the organization, not to constrain individual freedom of speech or expression. This policy governs official UofSC Aiken accounts that are formally authorized and managed by the Office of University Marketing and Communication to represent UofSC Aiken. They are expected to be in full compliance with this policy and UofSC Aiken social media guidelines and will be listed in the UofSC Aiken Social Media Directory.

Only those individuals who have written and explicate approval from the Office of University Marketing and Communications will have posting privileges to Official Accounts. At least one Office of University Marketing and Communication staff member must be granted credentials to log into accounts representing UofSC Aiken, and must have the ability to manage, administer, and remove the account.

Accounts not authorized by the Office of University Marketing and Communications must not be created by units of UofSC Aiken. Any existing unauthorized accounts under control of UofSC Aiken units must be removed or surrendered to the Office of University Marketing and Communications immediately upon request.

Online communities and social media represent potentially valuable resources for UofSC Aiken faculty and staff in performing their job duties, and UofSC Aiken employees are encouraged, when appropriate, to take advantage of the wide variety of social media tools available to them. As is true in other, traditional media, when participating in online communities and social media as part of their job duties, employees must comply with UofSC Aiken policies and guidelines and the codes of civility and professionalism recognized in the Academy.
The office of University Marketing and Communications reserves the right to remove content that in its judgment is deemed inappropriate, offensive, injurious and or illegal, or otherwise not consistent with campus standards of civility and professionalism.

Official accounts are responsible for publishing content in accordance with federal (e.g. FERPA and HIPAA), state, and local laws, regulations, and the values, policies, procedures, and Standards of Conduct of UofSC Aiken and its affiliated organizations.

In order to manage the guidelines presented in this social media policy, the Vice Chancellor for Advancement and External Affairs will appoint members to a Social Media committee. The Social Media committee will report directly to the Vice Chancellor for Advancement and External Affairs. This committee will perform routine reviews of social media accounts, guidelines, and procedures for the university. This committee will have the authority to approve any official accounts. UofSC Aiken currently uses the following social media platforms to connect with the community: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Flickr, YouTube, Linkedin and Snapchat. Any entity seeking to use a different social media account must gain approval from the Social Media Committee prior to the account being established. The committee membership will consist of 2 faculty members (one from the Department of Communications), 1 student (appointed by the Student Government Association), and 2 staff (one being the Social Media Specialist and the other appointed by the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs).

Official Accounts are expected to use correct logos and images, available at https://www.UofSCa.edu/marketing/resources-guides/university-branding-and-visual-guidelines.

Access to and administration of UofSC Aiken’s presence on identified social media platforms will be limited to staff in the Office of University Marketing and Communications. The Office of University Marketing and Communications has discretion to grant or revoke additional access to other departments. Contact the Office of University Marketing and Communications at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with questions regarding an organizational social media presence.

If faculty, staff, or students have questions about taking a position that may be perceived as an expression on behalf of the university, they are encouraged to contact the Office of University Marketing and Communications at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

RELEATED POLICIES

AADV101 Use of Institutional Name

AADV105 University Website

ASTAF109 Publicity Policy

REFERENCES & SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:

University South Carolina Aiken Social Media Guidelines

Marketing – Branding and Visual Identity Guidelines

HIPAA Guidelines

FERPA Guidelines

NCCA Guidelines