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Regulations & Policies

Public Relations

I. OBJECTIVE & PURPOSE

To set standards for online communication at the ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ and to establish the responsibilities of the Digital Presence Committee (DPC) to uphold those standards. Online communication encompasses both webpages and social media. Please refer to the University's Social Media Guidelines for official channels, including how to apply, establish and maintain compliant accounts.

II. STATEMENT OF POLICY

Online communication is an important medium that can and should be used to inform, educate, communicate, and promote the University to its internal and external constituents, including students, faculty, staff, administrators, alumni, benefactors, legislative bodies, and the general public. It is in the best interest of the University that we adhere to the highest standards of quality and responsibility in the development and presentation of online communications while promoting a consistent image and brand identity to its constituencies. Therefore, anyone developing Official Online Communications or Affiliated Online Communications (both as defined below) must ensure the accuracy and currency of the information presented.

III. STATEMENT OF PROCEDURES

All Official Online Communications and Affiliated Online Communications must be in compliance with University brand standards.

Newly developed or existing Official Online Communications found to be in violation of policies or guidelines will be notified of the noncompliance by Marketing and Communications and required to correct any deficiencies. Units that fail to correct deficiencies or noncompliance may be brought before the DPC, which could result in the removal of the Online Communications. Decisions of the DPC may be appealed to the President.

Members of the DPC will be appointed by the President. The DPC will revise, update and create policies affecting Official Online Communications and will review online communications for compliance with University regulations and policies.

A. Definitions:

The University recognizes two classifications of online communication: Official Online Communications and Affiliated Online Communications.

1. Official Online Communications shall include the University’s homepage (http://www.unf.edu), related pages, and the pages, e-communications, and approved social media channels of all officially constituted colleges, divisions, departments, centers, schools, offices, programs, committees and associations of the University. Official Online Communication must be managed by an authorized faculty or staff member. Official webpages must reside in the University's content management system (CMS); any exceptions must be approved by the DPC. Partnerships, Endorsements, Sponsorship and Acknowledgements of other entities may be permitted on Official Online Communications, but third-party logos must be approved by Marketing and Communications and any logo or name cannot be larger than the ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ logo.
2. Affiliated Online Communications shall include webpages, blogs and social media channels of faculty and staff who represent or purport to represent the University, and shall also include webpages, blogs, and social medial channels of University registered student organizations (RSOs) and Greek letter organizations.

While not required to adhere to the same standards as Official Online Communications, Affiliated Online Communications must still comply with Section IV of this Policy.

IV. APPLICABLE REGULATIONS AND POLICIES

Official Online Communications and Affiliated Online Communications must comply with the University’s [i.e., must comply with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations, including, but not limited to copyright and trademark laws, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, applicable licensing laws, commercial discrimination laws as enacted in Chapter 540, F.S., the Florida Computer Crimes Act as enacted in Chapter 815, F.S., obscenity laws as enacted in Chapter 847, F.S., and all Florida Board of Governors and University regulations and policies. Existing University policies applicable to the use of computing and information technology resources, University logos, trademarks, and other indicia of the University, and standards of behavior (e.g., discrimination/harassment policy, disruptive behavior, academic integrity code, use of campus facilities, student conduct code, regulations and policies) are incorporated in this policy by reference]. Publishers of all Official Online Communications and Affiliated Online Communications must comply with the University's Code of Ethics. The University reserves the right to take appropriate action with regard to any Official Online Communications or Affiliated Online Communications that violate any of the above.

Formerly 9-3.006

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