As an institution with a tradition of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit, The University of Findlay welcomes and encourages the responsible use of emerging technologies and social media. The rapidly changing field of electronic communication includes many facets such as personal Web pages, blogs, message boards or social media such as Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter, Picasa and others.

In a spirit of encouraging academic freedom and personal growth, UF greatly values the free exchange of ideas and seeks to encourage use of these forums in an effective and socially responsible way that is in accord with existing University policies and applicable laws and regulations.

All employees of The University of Findlay are expected to abide by the University Handbook provisions regarding Internet use, and all members of the University community are subject to the Acceptable Use Policy for Information Technology Resources, as well as existing federal and other laws regarding libel, copyright and fair use of information, photographs and other images. Employees also must abide by Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) restrictions, and students are expected to comply with applicable provisions of the Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy within University Policies.

Recognizing the rapidly changing nature of electronic communication, the University has provided the following guidelines for use of social media. In general, The University of Findlay encourages all users to take personal responsibility for their sites and posts, to obey all applicable laws and University policies, and to always be professional and courteous in their use of electronic media.

For UF employees:

• Always be honest about who you are when you are posting in a professional capacity.
• If you are posting in a professional capacity approved by your supervisor, always acknowledge that fact and maintain a professional level of communication. Do not post anonymously.
• Administrators or supervisors are expected to take responsibility for any professional or departmental pages created by those they supervise, including graduate assistants or students, and should the employee or student leave the University or transfer to another department, ensure that they either transfer page rights to another person or deactivate the page.
• We encourage you to link your professional site or blog back to the University Web site, www.findlay.edu.
• When establishing a social media page or group on behalf of the University, please contact the Center for Teaching Excellence at 419-434-4538 or training@findlay.edu to discuss your project, receive development assistance and request appropriate logos and Web-ready images.
• Professional pages you create should be updated regularly.
• Any social media you maintain on behalf of UF are to be registered (or deactivated) using this form: http://www.findlay.edu/directory/socialmedia/smdsubmit.htm. A complete listing of the University’s social media pages will be maintained at: http://www.findlay.edu/directory/socialmedia/default.htm.
• If you receive a media inquiry about a posting on a professional page or blog you maintain on behalf of the University, please contact Public Information at 419-434-4345 or 419-434-4425 as soon as possible.
• Do not create or post pages on behalf of other University departments or employees without express, written consent.
• University employees should not abuse University time and resources to maintain a personal page or blog.
• If you have any questions regarding the use of electronic media or about a specific posting, please contact your supervisor, the Office of Human Resources at 419-434-6964 or the Office of Public Information, 419-434-4520.

Any violations of this policy will be addressed by the employee’s supervisor, the Faculty Judicial Review Committee and/or the Office of Human Resources, as appropriate.

General considerations for all members of the University community:

Created 11/08/10; updated 01/06/12