Guidelines for posting on UA social media accounts

There are more than 150 University of Alaska-related social media accounts sharing news, events or promoting faculty and student work or organizations. Social media is an excellent, low-cost way to engage the community, share information and build our brands. 

Here’s what you need to know about posting on a UA social media account:

• Seek Approval: Any messages that might act as the “voice” or position of the university or a school/college/unit must be approved by the university or the director of the school/college/unit.
  
  
• Be Accurate: Make sure that you have all the facts before you post. It’s better to verify information with a source first than to have to post a correction or retraction later. Cite and link to your sources whenever possible.
  
  
• Be Transparent When you post with a university username, title or email, other users do not know you personally. They view what you post as coming from the university.
  
  
• Be Careful and be Respectful. What you say directly reflects on the university. Discuss with your supervisor the circumstances in which you are empowered to respond directly to users and when you may need approval.
  
  
•  Be Timely Each account should have an administrator who can regularly monitor postings and content. The recommended minimum frequency is once per day to every other day. The most you should post is twice a day. 

• Be Responsible What you write is ultimately your responsibility so be sure to abide by standard practice guidelines.
  
  
• Respect Others Users are free to discuss topics and disagree with one another, but please be respectful of others’ opinions.
  
  
• Be a Valued Member If you join a social network like a Facebook group or comment on someone’s blog, make sure you are contributing valuable insights. Post information about topics like UA events or a book you’ve authored only when you are sure it will be of interest to readers.
  
  
• Be Thoughtful If you have any questions about whether it is appropriate to write about certain kinds of material in your role as a UA employee, ask your supervisor before you post. 

For more information on UA social media guidelines, and information on using your personal Facebook as a university employee, download the guidelines here.