Social Media Guidelines

Social networks have been adopted by the College to communicate with others. They provide real-time ways to connect with those who share common interests. These guidelines and procedures (Section 106.16 of the EFSC Procedures Manual) have been created to provide a road map for the appropriate use of social media by the faculty, staff and students of Eastern Florida State College.

They apply to all forms of social media and communication technology used on behalf of the College, affect all employees and students, plus individuals who use College computer resources, and expressly prohibit conduct through social media that is considered illegal or against Eastern Florida State College policies or professional standards.

Sections of these guidelines pertaining to the permissible use of social media and permissible use of graphics, including EFSC logos and other branding, also apply to employees while using personal social media accounts outside of regular work hours, insofar as the use of social media may affect an individual's responsibility as a member of the Eastern Florida State College community. Violations may result in disciplinary or legal actions by the College.

Official Social Media Accounts

EFSC has established an official College presence on multiple social media platforms including, but not limited to: Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Pinterest, Blogs and Flickr.

These official accounts are maintained and monitored by the EFSC Communications Department, which reserves the right to remove any postings to social media accounts that may be considered offensive, libelous or that do not adhere to the policies of the College.

Browse the Social Media Directory to see a list of additional EFSC accounts.

Use of Social Media by EFSC Employees and Students

Only EFSC employees authorized by their departments and/or serving as sponsors of student organizations may use social media networking to conduct College business. An appropriate individual will be designated the primary moderator for each account and assigned responsibility for its content. In addition to the primary moderator, the Communications Department must be granted administrative level access to all College social media accounts.

While students are permitted to author content for EFSC social media accounts, they are not permitted to serve as account administrators.

Process of Obtaining or Reporting an Account

Those wishing to create a social media account on behalf of the College must first contact the Communications Department for approval. If approved, the Communications Department will create the account and ensure it complies with EFSC's branding standards before scheduling a brief training session for the account moderator and any additional content authors. During this session, participants will learn tips and best practices for utilizing the different capabilities of the relevant platform.

If you have an existing social media account associated with EFSC, it must be reported to the Communications Department, and the Communications Department must be granted administrative access so as to ensure it complies with these guidelines and procedures.

Logos, Branding and the Permissible Use of Graphics

Unless specific branding is required by an outside, affiliated or parent organization, EFSC social media accounts are only permitted to use branding that has been approved by the Communications Department.

All EFSC department and student social networking platforms must include or link to the required disclaimer.

Graphics, videos and other content not specifically generated by the College, including content retrieved from a search engine, are not to be used on EFSC social media accounts without express legal permission. Contact the Communications Department if you require help obtaining an appropriate form of media.

General Rules for Posting

Account moderators should always consider their message, audience and goal. When posting, remember the following: 

  • Protect the College's institutional voice and reputation: Posts should support the College in a professional tone and with good taste. While online, faculty, staff and students should always be mindful that they are representatives of the College.
  • Maintain confidentiality: Do not post confidential or proprietary information about EFSC, its students or its employees. Get permission before posting photos or videos of individual students. Internet postings should respect copyright, privacy, fair use, financial disclosure and other applicable laws.
  • Be accurate and precise: Verify facts before you post. Use proper spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Content should be posted frequently to keep accounts current. Accounts that are not being used regularly will be deactivated or deleted.

Deleting Inappropriate Social Media Content

Account moderators are responsible for hiding or deleting inappropriate posts made by external social media users and third parties. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Derogatory language including any use of language that discriminates based on race, sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity or religion
  • Threats made by any third party regarding the safety of an institution or individual
  • Slander or libel against an individual
  • Inappropriate or incriminating images depicting vandalism, sexual harassment, underage drinking, drug use, gang affiliation, obscene language or pornography
  • Content that violates state or federal law, such as FERPA
  • Partisan political activity
  • Online gambling
  • Selling of goods or services for personal financial profit

This list is not all-inclusive; use sound judgment to determine what is appropriate. Prior to removing the inappropriate content, please take a screenshot and report it to the Communications Department.

Contacting the Communications Department

If you need to create or report a social media account or have questions related to social media at EFSC, please contact a member of the Communications Department for assistance: