With input from constituent groups across campus and approval by Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber, University Communications implemented a new social media policy, University Policy 317, designed to better support the University’s overall social media network of affiliated accounts. The first University policy dedicated solely to social media operation, its focus centers around standardized safeguarding of account credentials and minimizing risk to account administrators. New elements and key highlights surrounding the policy and its supporting materials are detailed below.
Why a social media policy?
With the growing prominence of social media in the higher education space, it’s important that accounts representing UNC Charlotte in an official capacity adhere to a set of shared expectations and protections that promote consistency.
What’s new:
Social media hub
Socialmedia.uncc.edu was developed to serve as a one-stop information hub for all University-related social media needs. This site is home to the social media policy, as well as additional elements to ensure adherence to the policy. It also serves as a resource for on-campus social teams of all sizes, offering best practices, how-to guides and more content to strengthen your social media presence.
Account registration process
According to the new policy, all existing social media accounts representing UNC Charlotte and/or one of its offices, departments, centers, colleges, schools or programs must register their active social media accounts through the Account Registration form at socialmedia.uncc.edu. Registration is required and encompasses two essential steps:
- Identification of two designated account administrators (a primary and secondary) and sharing their contact information
- Sharing login credentials and/or granting administrative access to the University social media team for each active account
It is requested that accounts be registered by or before Jan. 1, 2021. More information regarding the registration process can be found here or in the FAQs.
After registration, the social media team will reach out to the designated account administrators for confirmation, to discuss any questions and to ensure your social media presence is up to date with a University profile photo and account handle conventions.
After consultation with the University social media team, your account will be added to the official directory of University social media accounts, and you will be granted access to a forthcoming library of University-branded graphic templates, pre-sized social media photos and a campus-wide network of social media managers for more long- term support opportunities.
Account request process
Similar to the account registration process, any University office, department, center, college, school or program looking to create a new social media account on any platform must first fill out the Account Request form at socialmedia.uncc.edu and receive confirmation from the University social media team before proceeding. Questions regarding an account request are present in the FAQ section of socialmedia.uncc.edu.
Guidelines for account administrators
To better support account administrators operating accounts on behalf of UNC Charlotte, guidelines surrounding the responsible moderation of commentary, expectations of channel management and other considerations are newly detailed in the social media policy.
Questions?
Visit the FAQ section of socialmedia.uncc.edu for additional information, or email the University social media team at socialmedia@uncc.edu.