VCOM Institutional Policy and Procedure Manual

VCOM Policy and Procedure

Policy #U006

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine

Policy Order No.: U006 Effective Date:

September 15, 2011 January 12, 2023

Revised:

_____________________________ Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, D.O. President and Provost ____________________________________________________________________________________ VCOM Policy on Social Media Usage ____________________________________________________________________________________ 1. PURPOSE ............................................................................................................................................................... 1 2. OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................................................................ 1 3. POLICIES FOR ALL TYPES OF SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE ......................................................................................... 2 4. CYBERBULLYING ................................................................................................................................................. 4 5. OFFICIAL COLLEGE SOCIAL MEDIA SITES .......................................................................................................... 5 6. VIOLATION OF POLICY ........................................................................................................................................ 6 7. DURATION OF POLICY .......................................................................................................................................... 6 PURPOSE The VCOM Policy on Social Media Usage is to provide clarification on how to best enhance and protect personal and professional reputations as well as intellectual property of VCOM’s students, faculty, and staff when participating in the social media environment. This policy defines the rules and procedures for the use of official college social media sites to ensure that college-sponsored social media is both legal and in compliance with college policies. In addition, this policy defines the guidelines for students and employees who participate in other forms of social media such as posting to his/her personal media or when commenting on other community or public sites. OVERVIEW VCOM encourages the use of social media to connect with others, including students, employees, alumni, and the college. Social media sites are excellent venues to communicate and encourage engaging discussions about college current events, issues, accolades, organizations, and people. However, these technologies must be used with caution, as what students, faculty, or staff write can disclose protected information, damage reputations, offend, and be considered unethical or unprofessional. In addition, what individuals post can have legal ramifications. Damage can be done to students, faculty, staff, VCOM and/or the profession. VCOM reserves the right to consider how a prospective student, faculty or staff candidate, current faculty or staff member, or current student presents themselves via social media. This information can be used to determine whether that person has the appropriate characteristics (ethical and professional) necessary to be a successful VCOM employee or student (candidate), continue their employment with VCOM (current Signature on File 1. 2.

VCOM Policy on Social Media Usage

Page 1 of 6