University Affiliated Social Media Sites

I. SCOPE

This policy applies to all Mason students, employees and contractors.

II. POLICY STATEMENT

Mason may use Social Media Sites for University purposes.

Only authorized Affiliated University Sites may use Mason-owned logos or trademarks.  Students, employees and contractors shall not use any Mason logo or trademarks without permission from the Vice President for Communications and Marketing.  No student, employee or contractor may use any Mason-owned logo or trademark for personal use.

Students, employees and contractors who use or administer any Affiliated University Site must: (a) comply with all policies established by the Social Media Site service provider, and (b) safeguard confidential information, and (c) not publish any copyrighted material, trademarks, or other intellectual property without express written permission from the publisher or other owner of such intellectual property.

Affiliated University Sites must be accessible by all appropriate authorized university employees or contractors.  Administrative access to Affiliated University Sites must not be limited to one person.
III. DEFINITIONS

Social Media Site:  A Social Media Site is an online service designed to facilitate personal social interactions, including social networking sites.

Affiliated University Site: An Affiliated University Site is an account or presence on a Social Media Site created or administered by an employee or contractor, for University purposes, within the scope of her or his employment.

IV. RESPONSIBILITIES

The person responsible for or who administers an Affiliated University Site must comply with the University Affiliated Social Media Sites Procedures.

V. OTHER INFORMATION

Employees and contractors must be aware of and comply with the following policies, as applicable:

Virginia Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) Policies:
Policy 1.60 Standards of Conduct
Policy 1.75 Use of Electronic Communications and Social Media
Policy 2.35 Civility in the Workplace

VI. COMPLIANCE

Any violation of this Policy must be referred to the Office of Communications and Marketing.

V. EFFECTIVE DATE AND APPROVAL

This policy shall be effective July 26, 2011.

Approved:

_/S______________________
Maurice W. Scherrens
Senior Vice President

_/S_______________________
Peter N. Stearns
Provost

Date approved: August 15, 2011

Revised: July 30, 2021