Social Media Guidelines

General Guidelines

Like any form of communication, there are risks and responsibilities inherent in the use of social media and digital communications. Improper use can damage reputations and carry legal consequences.

In the case of improper use, the NJC Marketing and Communications Department will address the offense and attempt to resolve the situation. If improper use persists, necessary steps will be taken to preserve the positive and successful use of social media for the NJC community, including the removal of the offender’s account from the online community (if necessary).

Department and Program Accounts

  • The purpose of an official account is to represent the college in a professional capacity. If your department or program is granted one or more social media channels, the name of the account, photos and content on it should clearly indicate a link to the college.
  • When an employee who is tasked with editing an official social media account leaves employment at the college, it is their department/program’s responsibility to designate another college employee to be an account editor. Editor credentials must be revoked from the former employee and reassigned to a current employee of that unit.
  • Faculty cannot require students to participate in required curriculum assignments or activities on a social media platform as it violates their right to privacy as a student.
  • Only APT employees are eligible to manage official social media accounts.

All login and password information for all affiliated social media accounts will be shared with and accounted for by the NJC Marketing and Communications Department.

Personal Accounts

  • A personal account on a social media channel differs from an Official Account in the purpose, content and namespace of the account, in that it is intended to reflect the manner of speech, personality and interests of an individual.
  • If an individual maintains a personal social media account, they should avoid creating confusion over whether or not the account is officially associated with NJC.

For example, if employees identify themselves online as NJC faculty or a staff member, it should be clear that the views expressed on their site are not those of the college and they are not acting in their capacity as a college employee. College employees may consider adding this disclaimer to their personal social media accounts: “While I am an employee at NJC, comments made on this account are my own and do not reflect the official views of the college.”

  • The college’s name or marks may not be used to endorse any personal opinion, product, private business, cause or political candidate.

Content

  • The content of official NJC social media accounts should reflect a professional tone and demeanor, while still maintaining friendliness. NJC requires that any official social media pages must have language that prominently directs users to our official website at NJC.edu.

Exception: The NJC Athletics Dept. social media pages may direct users to gonjc.com.

  • College employees identified as editors of accounts are responsible for managing and monitoring content of their social media accounts. Editors can remove content that:
    • May violate the law or the site’s user terms and conditions (i.e., privacy and copyright concerns).
    • Is patently inappropriate or significantly harms the reputation of the college or the Colorado Community College System (CCCS).
  • CCCS and NJC have the right to remove any content for any lawful reason, including but not limited to, content that is deemed inappropriate, offensive, threatening, obscene, a violation of intellectual property rights or privacy laws, or otherwise injurious or illegal.
  • College employees are expected to adhere to the same standards of conduct online as they would in the workplace. Laws and procedures respecting contracting and conflict of interest, as well as applicable policies and guidelines for interacting with students, parents, alumni, donors, media and all other college constituents apply online and in the social media context just as they do in personal interactions. Employees are fully responsible for what they post to social media accounts.
  • College employees will use good judgement about content and respect privacy laws. They should not:
    • Include confidential information about the college, its staff or its students.
    • Post content that is threatening, obscene, a violation of intellectual property rights or privacy laws, or otherwise injurious or illegal.
    • Represent personal opinions as being endorsed by the CCCS, the college or any of their organizations as this is strictly prohibited.
    • Use the college’s name or marks to endorse any opinion, product, private business, cause, or political candidate.
  • By posting content to any social media site, the employee represents that they own or otherwise have all of the rights necessary to lawfully use that content or that they use of the content is permitted by fair use. Posters also agree that they will not knowingly provide misleading or false information, and that they will indemnify and hold CCCS and the college harmless for any claims resulting from the content.
  • Employees should refrain from using information and conducting activities that may violate local, state, or federal laws and regulations. If you are unsure whether certain content is protected by privacy or intellectual property laws, contact the CCCS legal staff.
  • Faculty and staff should consider the ethical ramifications of their interactions with students on social media platforms.
  • Social media users acting on behalf of their college must adhere to all CCCS/college policies and procedures, including those pertaining to: acceptable use; copyright information; IT security; personal records privacy and security; FERPA/privacy policies; faculty/staff/student codes of conduct; and procurement rules.
  • Use of social media accounts for the placement of advertising: NJC does not authorize employees outside of the Marketing and Communications department to enter into advertising agreements with social media platforms (i.e., boosting posts on social media).