VCOM Institutional Policy and Procedure Manual

VCOM Policy and Procedure

Policy #U006

acceptable use of electronic resources, and anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policies. If a student or employee is assisting with a VCOM-affiliated social media platform, they must be aware of and follow the college’s policies. • Posts on social media should protect VCOM’s institutional voice by remaining professional in tone and in good taste. No individual VCOM division/department/student organization should construe its social media as representing VCOM. • The content that is shared on a VCOM-affiliated social media platform should support the purpose for the site. In other words, the content should be appropriate and relevant to its educational goals and interests, as well as the mission of the college. All content that is posted (language and graphics) should be suitable for the public. • Social media content on an official social media site may sometimes include photographs, audio, or video. Site administrators are responsible for ensuring that social media content posted on the site is not infringing on the intellectual property rights of others. Intellectual property rights of content shared by the public will be governed by federal copyright law, the terms of service of the social media provider, and/or college policies. • Avoid posting detailed policy or procedural information, such as admission guidelines or program requirements. Instead, post links to that information on the college’s official website for those topics. This decreases discrepancies in the information being distributed and minimizes the need to update changes on multiple platforms. VCOM has the right to remove any content for any reason, including but not limited to, content that it deems offensive, defamatory, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, sexual, threatening, a violation of intellectual property rights or privacy laws, or otherwise injurious or illegal. If you see a post that you consider objectionable, please notify the Division of Communications, Marketing, Website and Publications. VIOLATION OF POLICY VCOM’s existing disciplinary processes will apply in the event of a violation as described in the VCOM College Catalog and Student Handbook and VCOM Faculty Handbook and VCOM Administrative Faculty and Classified Staff Handbook. VCOM prohibits taking negative action against any employee or student for reporting a possible deviation from this policy or for cooperating in an investigation. Any staff member, faculty or student who retaliates against another staff member, faculty or student for reporting a possible deviation from this policy or for cooperating in an investigation will be subject to disciplinary action. DURATION OF POLICY The Policy on Social Media Usage established by Administration is effective as of the date above and shall remain effective until amended or terminated by the President and Provost. 6. 7.

VCOM Policy on Social Media Usage

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