Bates Technical College

arning, high school, and other programs. Social Media Policy:

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This policy covers public-facing communication using social media. The Communications and Marketing
office works to maintain, manage, and protect Bates Technical College’s online and social media
presence. This policy provides guidance for all employees, students, and community members that interact with
Bates Technical College using social media. This policy also applies to guests, visitors, commenters,
speakers, and other third-party individuals and/or groups working with Bates Technical College. Employees and students are expected to know and understand the college’s policies and procedures
regarding the use of social media, and the appropriate use of state resources. However, the college does
not seek to regulate employee’s strictly personal uses of social media that does not involve the college,
its resources, and/or affect the person’s college employment. Bates Technical College strives to use college communication resources effectively and efficiently to
communicate with large groups of people. Because of the large size of the college community,
unregulated use or misuse of college communication tools can reduce effectiveness and hinder the
college’s ability to deliver critical messages. Therefore, the college has created requirements and
procedures to ensure effective public-facing campus communication. OFFICIAL SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS AND TERMS OF USE
The college provides a meaningful educational experience for all of its students, as well as a positive
employment environment for its employees that values equity diversity, and inclusion within the college
and the communities it serves. Views that are expressed in official departmental or program-specific
accounts do not necessarily represent the college's views, and the college recognizes that a thriving
academic community is not possible without students, employees, followers and friends sharing their
thoughts in an open and respectful manner with one another on official social media accounts. To
ensure the interactions on official social media accounts further meaningful dialogue, the
college reserves the right to monitor the conversations through the removal of comments and/or posts
that are, or contain, the following:

 Comments that attack a person's character. CP2650 – Use of Social Media Page 2 of 2
 Content that constitutes discriminatory harassment toward a person on the basis of race, creed,
color, age, religion, gender, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, status with
regard to public assistance, national origin, physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation.
 Obscenity.
 Sexual or violent content or links to sexual or violent content.
 Conduct or encouragement of illegal activity.
 Threats or personal attacks that are directed, suggested, or implied.
 Comments that are disruptive to the educational environment.
 Comments or hyperlinks not meaningfully related to the particular topic presented.
 Repetitive posts of the same material that disrupt the normal operation of the forum.
 Impersonation of someone else or identities that cannot be confirmed.
 Commercial messages, including advertisements and solicitations and spam.
 Support for or opposition to political campaigns or ballot measures. Posts, comments, replies, or any public commentary containing any of the above may be removed. Multiple violations may result in the restriction of a person’s ability to interact with Bates Technical
College on social media or other online forums or platforms. Please refer to Social Media Guidelines for
additional information. PERSONAL SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS
When participating in social media in a private capacity (not as part of one’s official capacity as an
employee of the college), an employee is strongly advised against identifying oneself as a college
employee or referring to college employment matters. However, when an employee is nevertheless
identified as a college employee or reference is made to a college employment matter, the employee
should clarify that their post or statement is of a personal nature and does not necessarily represent the
views of the college. On non-college sites, employees shall not use college logos, trademarks, images or make any
endorsements of products, causes, or political positions in the college’s name. Questions regarding
proper use of college logos and associated materials should be directed to the college's Communications
and Marketing office. Please refer to the college's procedures, CP8920PR – Use of Social Media, for further guidance