Internet and Social Media Policy

Lincoln University Internet and Social Media Policy

Lincoln University respects the First Amendment right of each employee to interact knowledgeably and socially with freedom of expression. The University also acknowledges the importance of helping all members of the University community understand that interaction with social media can greatly impact University employees and students. This policy is designed to provide guidance on the responsible use of the Internet and social media for establishing a University presence and communicating with various audiences online.

Policy

Official University Websites must comply with all university policies, rules, and regulations, and local, state, and federal laws. University employees who identify themselves as University employees or as affiliated with the University or discuss the University or its affiliates are required to comply with all university policies, rules, and regulations, and local, state, and federal laws. University employees are responsible for the content they publish on the Internet, ensuring that it is honest as well as respects private and confidential information of the University, other employees, and students. 

Unofficial University Websites are also subject to university policies, rules, and regulations, and local, state, and federal laws. Such pages may be removed from university computing resources at any time if the Office of Communications and Public Relations determines their content to be inappropriate or if their activity hampers official university activities.

All websites, files and data within the domain of lincoln.edu are the exclusive property of Lincoln University. Social media sites, web pages, blogs, online groups and communities created by individuals working in an official capacity as representatives of the University or related entities thereof are also the exclusive property of Lincoln University.

Definitions

Official University Websites – Official University Websites are defined as websites or web pages created by Lincoln University campuses, colleges, schools, departments, centers, and administrative offices which represent the University.

Unofficial University Websites – Unofficial University Websites might include pages developed by individual students and university personnel, as well as pages representing student clubs, unions, and other groups.

Website content creators – These persons create written, photographic, audio, video and all other materials for websites or social media.  

Website administrators – These persons make adjustments to the web pages of the website, monitor website traffic, and reply to user comments.  

Website developers – These persons serve as programmers that develop and design websites, working with web and network applications, software programs, and programming languages. These persons also maintain the web servers, software, and hardware.

Social Media – Web-based technology (i.e. media, tools, communities, and spaces) used to communicate to internal and external audiences. Social media includes, but is not limited to:

  • Blogs and microblogs (web-based journals, e.g. Wordpress, Twitter);
  • Collaborative websites (e.g. Wikipedia, etc.);
  • Email;
  • Instant messaging and chat (e.g. AOL IM, Google Chat, Skype);
  • Internet forums; 
  • Message boards;
  • Online profiles;
  • Social networking sites (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn);
  • Podcasts (multimedia distributed over the Internet);
  • Photo, video, and music sharing (e.g. Instagram, YouTube, Sound Cloud).

Guidelines

The University encourages the use of the Internet and social media for professional, academic and appropriate purposes when referencing Lincoln University. Adhering to these guidelines will promote effective and professional communication, as well as protect the reputations of the University, its employees, and the various members of its community. 

The following policies apply to material posted on Lincoln University related websites, blogs and social network sites by website content creators, website administrators, and website developers. By agreeing to these policies you accept, without limitation or qualification, the following Terms and Conditions:   

  1. All websites and web pages of the schools, departments, centers, institutes and other organization of the University must be contained within the main domain directory of the University (www.lincoln.edu), for example http://www.lincoln.edu/humanities.
  2. Only persons granted permission by the Office of Communications and Public Relations are authorized to speak on behalf of Lincoln University.
  3. Website administrators are required to monitor content to ensure appropriate use and compliance with this policy.
  4. Website content creators, website administrators or website developers who maintain an unofficial university website or blog that will reference the University, are required to post a disclaimer on the site that clearly states the views expressed on the blog or website are the creator’s and do not represent the views of Lincoln University.
  5. Confidential and proprietary information about the University regarding finances, trademarks, research, strategies, and any other information that has not been publicly released by the University may not be shared.
  6. Written permission will be obtained from the copyright owner for use of copyrighted and trademarked materials on the Internet. This applies to the use of text, images, logos, video, audio, or other copyrighted materials.
  7. Written consent will be obtained for use of audio, pictures, videos, movies, or likenesses of individuals. Written consent must be obtained from parental or guardian consent to use audio, pictures, videos, movies, or likenesses of children.
  8. The use of graphic elements belonging to Lincoln University - including logos, seals, and other identifying marks – is allowed on official and unofficial university websites as long as the graphic standards are adhered to according to the University style guide.
  9. The use of graphic elements belonging to Lincoln University may not be used on personal blogs or websites without explicit permission in writing from officials in the Offices of the President, Academic Affairs or Communications and Public Relations. Once permission is granted, the graphic standards must be adhered to according to the University style guide.
  10. All content on official and unofficial university websites should be accurate, proofread, and professional.
  11. Outdated information is to be removed or updated by website content creators or administrators. The University reserves the right to remove or update outdated content in the case that the website content creators do not.
  12. The University reserves the right to inspect any files in any official or unofficial university website.
  13. The University will not tolerate any Web content official and unofficial university websites that is inflammatory, harmful or offensive to other members of Lincoln University community and other Internet Users. Such behavior can result in corrective action.
  14. The University will not tolerate any Web content official and unofficial university websites that infringes upon the rights of others including attempts to gain access to other users' accounts, private files, or e-mail, or harassing other users in any way.
  15. Website content creators, administrators, and developers who cease affiliation with the University will immediately lose access to all Web accounts and privileges.
  16. Third-party comments posted and displayed on Lincoln University’s social media sites do not reflect the opinions or policies of the University or its officials. The University encourages users to utilize the links provided by the respective social media site in order to report content, material or posts they find offensive. 
  17. Lincoln University invites visitors and fans to post comments on its social media sites.  However, the University reserves the right to delete comments that are viewed as disrespectful, negative or disruptive and may ban users who commit such offenses from posting to the page.

Facebook and Social Networking

Lincoln University Facebook fan page is a site that allows alumni, students, the campus community, parents, friends of the university and others to engage and encourage school spirit and to learn more about some of the great things happening at Lincoln.

Although we welcome visitors and fans to post comments, we ask that everyone demonstrate respect for other users. We ask all fans to embrace the university’s policy when posting to the site, and we do not promote commercial products or allow messages that endorse products or the selling of merchandise. Lincoln University reserves the right to delete comments that are viewed as negative and disruptive and will ban users from posting to the page.

Third-party comments posted and displayed on the Lincoln University Facebook fan page do not reflect the opinions or policies of the university or its officials. Lincoln encourages users to utilize the link provided by Facebook that offers users to report content, material or posts they find offensive.

Submitted by Jamila A. Cupid, Ph.D.  and adopted by the Office of Communications & Public Relations, Lincoln University.