Social Media Policy
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Policy
This policy provides guidance for employee and student use of social media, which should be broadly understood for purposes of this policy to include blogs, wikis, microblogs, message boards, chat rooms, electronic newsletters, online forums, social networking sites, and other sites and services that permit users to share information with others in a contemporaneous manner.
Procedures
The following principles apply to the professional use of social media on behalf of East-West University as well as personal use of social media when referencing East-West University.
- Employees and Students need to know and adhere to the East-West University’s Code of Conduct, Employee Handbook, and other East-West University policies when using social media in reference to East-West University.
- Employees and Students should be aware of the effect their actions may have on their images, as well as East-West University’s image. The information that employees and students post or publish may be public information for a long time.
- Employees and Students should be aware that East-West University may observe content and information made available by employees and students through social media. Employees and Students should use their best judgment in posting material that is neither inappropriate nor harmful to East-West University, its employees, and students, or customers.
- Although not an exclusive list, some specific examples of prohibited social media conduct include posting commentary, content, or images that are a hate group or gang affiliation promotional, defamatory, racist, sexist, ageist, pornographic, proprietary, harassing, libelous, or media that can create a hostile work environment.
- Employees and Students are not to publish, post or release any information that is considered confidential or not public. If there are questions about what is considered confidential, employees and students should check with the Human Resources Department, dean and/or supervisor.
- Social media networks, blogs and other types of online content sometimes generate press and media attention or legal questions. Employees and Students should refer these inquiries to authorized East-West University spokespersons.
- If employees and students encounter a situation while using social media that threatens to become antagonistic, employees and students should disengage from the dialogue in a polite manner and seek the advice of a dean or supervisor.
- Employees and Students should get appropriate permission before posting images of current or former employees and students, members, vendors or suppliers. Additionally, employees and students should get appropriate permission to use a third party's copyrights, copyrighted material, trademarks, service marks or other intellectual property.
- Social media use shouldn't interfere with employee’s or student’s responsibilities at East-West University. East-West University’s computer systems are to be used for business and school purposes only. When using East-West University’s computer systems, use of social media for business purposes is allowed (ex: Facebook, Twitter, East-West University blogs and LinkedIn), but personal use of social media networks or personal blogging of online content is discouraged and could result in disciplinary action.
- Subject to applicable law, an after‐hours online activity that violates East-West University’s Code of Conduct or any other company policy may subject an employee to disciplinary action or Termination.
- If employees and students publish content after‐hours that involves work or subjects associated with East-West University, a disclaimer should be used, such as this: “The postings on this site are my own and may not represent East-West University’s positions, strategies or opinions.” It is highly recommended that employees and students keep East-West University-related social media accounts separate from personal accounts, if practical.