Policy Scope and Governance

• Broad Application: The absence of, or lack of explicit reference to a specific site does not limit the extent of the application of this policy.
• Consultation: Consult with Marketing & Communications if you are uncertain.
• Applicability: This policy covers employees and contractors while at work, while using company communications devices and at any time the individual can be associated by others as officially representing Greenfield Community College.
• Exclusions: It does not apply to students' or faculty's own personal sites.
• Approval Process: All social networking and social media sites and accounts that purport to officially represent GCC must be approved by Information Technology and Marketing & Communications and must include a staff member of one or both areas as an account administrator.
• Student Clubs: This applies to official student clubs that receive funding from Student Leadership & Engagement. Unofficial or informal student clubs or groups that are not funded by the college are exempt.

Guidelines for Site Managers and Student Workers

Those managing social media sites and any student workers posting to such sites should:

• Brand Integrity: Protect and enhance the value of the Greenfield Community College brand, present Greenfield Community College in a positive light and avoid making derogatory comments about students, faculty, or employees, and protect confidential information.
• Transparency: Be transparent; when relevant and appropriate state that you work at Greenfield Community College and include your name and title. Your honesty will be noted in the social media environment. If you have a vested interest in what you are discussing, be the first to say so.
• Expertise and Perspectives: Stick to your area of expertise and do feel free to provide unique, individual perspectives on non-confidential activities at Greenfield Community College.
• Brand Standards: Use the Greenfield Community College logos as advised, and to the extent possible conform to the overall Greenfield Community College brand. This includes paying scrupulous attention to grammar, spelling, punctuation, the accuracy of links, etc.
• Responsiveness: Respond promptly to questions/comments when reasonably possible (within 24 hours).
• Helpfulness: Be helpful - Offering tips, tricks & how-tos goes a long way.
• Audience Awareness: When you're out in the blogosphere or Twitterverse or other social media channels, remember that your readers include current students, potential students, alumni, as well as current/past/future employees. Consider that before you publish and make sure you aren't alienating any of those groups.
• Legal and Ethical Compliance: Respect copyright laws, and reference or cite sources appropriately. Plagiarism applies online as well.
• Provider Terms: Fully abide by the policies and terms of use of individual social media service providers. Social media services may retain ownership of any and all content posted or transmitted by a user.

Compliance and Official Communication

• FERPA Guidelines: In order to comply with FERPA guidelines, users of social media must use GCC's own technology services (email, Moodle, MyGCC) as the official means of communicating with students and refrain from using social media accounts for student communication.
• Other Policies: All Other Greenfield Community College policies apply: know and follow them.