Policy: Social Media Policy

University Policy: General Institutional

Social Media Policy

(updated July 11, 2024)

These guidelines govern the creation and management of UW-Platteville social media accounts. For these purposes, social media means any platform for online publication and commentary, including but not  limited to blogs, wikis, and social networking sites such as Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, SnapChat, TikTok, and more. These guidelines are in addition to and complement any existing university policies regarding the use of technology, email, and the internet. Contact the UW-Platteville social media manager, at socialmedia@uwplatt.edu, with any questions. 

Creating a social media account

1. Notify the UW-Platteville social media manager prior to creating any new UW-Platteville social media account. The social media manager will record the name and contact information for the individual(s) who administer your social media presence, as well as the name/URL for your account(s). 
2. Use a university-approved account name and photo. This ensures adherence to UW-Platteville’s visual identity guidelines and brand standards.
3. Give account access to at least one UW-Platteville faculty or staff member. A university employee must have primary access to your account, even if you intend to have a student administer it. In addition, the university social media manager should also have administrative privileges on your page, in order to ensure continued management of the account in the event of employee turnover.

Managing a social media account

Confidentiality and security

Social media posts that contain confidential or proprietary information about UW-Platteville, its students or prospective students, alumni, donors or employees are prohibited. Employees must follow the applicable federal requirements, such as FERPA and HIPPA, and adhere to all applicable university privacy and confidentiality policies. Employees who share confidential information do so at the risk of disciplinary action or termination. Sensitive information such as phone numbers, University ID numbers, Social Security numbers, payment information, etc., may never be collected, transmitted or shared via social media. Posting content that could create a security risk for UW-Platteville is prohibited. Examples include but are not limited to images of childcare facilities, restricted-access research areas, and information technology facilities. Do not post pictures of minors without a signed release from a parent or guardian.

Copyright and Fair Use

Accounts must adhere to the laws of copyright and fair use, including the copyright and intellectual property rights of others and the university.

NCAA rules

Do not interact with prospective student-athletes, who are protected by NCAA guidelines that dictate how often they can be contacted by prospective schools.

Hateful language

UW-Platteville reserves the right to delete posts, comments, or other content that is irrelevant, vulgar, threatening, or exhibits hate or bias on the basis of sex, race, religion, color, creed, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, or any other prohibited bases defined by federal or state law or Universities of Wisconsin policy. Incidents of hate or bias can be reported to the University Bias Incident Team at go.uwplatt.edu/ubit. Consult with the university’s Communications Department prior to removing content.

A pdf of this policy is available as a file attached to the article.