Social Media Policy

Purpose

The purpose of this policy and procedure is to ensure quality and appropriate use of approved/official University of Maine social media channels for promotion and information at the University of Maine.

General Policy

At the University of Maine, we recognize that social media sites like Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn have become important and influential community communication channels. The purpose of using social media channels on behalf of the University of Maine is to support UMaine’s mission, goals, programs and sanctioned efforts, including university news, information, marketing and branding strategies, content and directives. Therefore, when using approved/official UMaine social media channels identified with the University of Maine (e.g., Facebook, TikTok, X and YouTube), it is critical that UMaine community members recognize that they are representing the University of Maine to the world at all times. To assist in posting content and managing these sites, the University of Maine offers the following policies and guidelines for official use of social media. These policies and guidelines apply to all UMaine community members using approved/official UMaine social media. These policies and guidelines are not intended to govern or restrict personal presence on the web, nor are these guidelines intended to restrict employee rights to engage in concerted, protected activity related to the terms and conditions of their employment.

Approval of Official UMaine Social Media Accounts

Employees who wish to set up approved/official University of Maine social media accounts and speak on behalf of the University of Maine through social media must receive permission from their department/organization head prior to setting up the social media account. Once you have received permission from your department/organization head, please fill out our Marketing and Communications request form to formally request an official University of Maine affiliated account.

Web Standards

UMaine Web Standards policy and procedure regarding contact information, accuracy, confidential information, advertising/sponsorship, copyright, usage of University of Maine name, alt text/accessibility, and spelling/grammar, apply equally to official University of Maine social media channels. Please contact um.weboffice@maine.edu for further assistance.

News Announcements

University of Maine Public Relations and News Media policy and procedure regarding news releases, media advisories and campus announcements, apply equally to official University of Maine social media channels. For additional information, please review the editorial guidelines or reach out to umaine.news@maine.edu.

Photo/Video

To ensure that our social media channels showcase the best of the University of Maine, we encourage you to review the photo and video guidelines. Contact the Division of Marketing and Communications for questions or contact um.visualmedia@maine.edu to set up a time to view the photo database.

Representing UMaine on Social Media

Many social media sites promote commenting and online dialogue, the tone of which is generally informal. Despite its informal tone, all online dialogue is public. Please remember that anything you write can and will be viewed by current and future UMaine community members and constituencies as well as other colleagues and possible future employers.

When engaging in dialogue while using University of Maine-affiliated social media accounts:

University of Maine System Comment Policy

The University of Maine System, including all of its universities, study centers and affiliated programs (“UMS”) fully supports and encourages free speech, freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. When accessing any UMS social media platform, including comment sections, UMS expects members of the public to be respectful and remain on topic.

UMS reserves the right, at its own discretion, to monitor posts and messages on public social media platforms, including but not limited to Facebook, LinkedIn, X, etc. associated in any way with UMS. UMS may choose to defer to the user policies of these social media platforms but it reserves the right not to do so. UMS holds its faculty, students and staff to the standards set forth in its Student Code of Conduct, Employee Handbooks and other applicable UMS policies, including the Acceptable Use Policy.

Similarly, UMS will not permit, and may remove in its discretion, postings by the public on platforms, as described above, associated with UMS that:

UMS reserves the right to remove or block any user who violates these guidelines.

ConClusion

The Division of Marketing and Communications recognizes that the world of social media continues to evolve. If you have any questions about whether specific content is appropriate for posting on these social media sites, please contact Samantha Perry, the Manager of Social Media Strategy in the Division of Marketing and Communications.