Coaches and athletic programs are utilizing mediums such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat and many others to stay connected. The Adelphi University Department of Athletics believes that having a presence in these areas will allow it to broadcast information and interact with the public.
In order to operate within these mediums effectively, Adelphi Athletics has developed a social media policy to ensure that any and all interactions on behalf of the department represents its best interests. These guidelines are broad in nature to accommodate any differences in online venues, while maintaining a universal code of conduct. The policy is fluid and may need to be adjusted as situations arise.
The Adelphi Department of Athletics social media policy applies to social media accounts created to represent Adelphi athletic teams, programs, entities, etc. and to the personal accounts of both staff and student-athletes. Always keep in mind that you represent Adelphi University and the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at all times.
Officially Recognized Social Media Accounts
● For a group to be recognized by the Athletic Department as an official social media account, the group administrators must contact the Office of Sports Information and provide that office with contact/login information, or allow them to create it on your behalf.
● Members of the Office of Sports Information will review the social media policy with all administrators. This office should also be used as a resource for the Athletic Department for any social media needs. The sports information director will make the final decision in any situation regarding the use of social media.
● If you wish to have an account created, please go through a member of the sports information office. This ensures that if there is turnover in a coaching staff, we will still be able to access the accounts.
Account Administrators
● All social media accounts officially recognized by the Adelphi Department of Athletics must have a coach or an athletic administrator as an account administrator at all times.
● Administrators should not use team accounts for personal use. A reminder that you are representing the brand of both your team and the University, not yourself as an individual. Should you require assistance setting up a social media account for professional purposes (ex: @CoachXYZ), the Office of Sports Information can assist you.
● Should an Adelphi coach or athletic administrator of an account leave the department for any reason or no longer wish to be an account administrator, it is that individual’s responsibility to designate another Adelphi coach or athletic administrator to be an account administrator prior to removing himself or herself from that role.
● The Sports Information Director should be notified when a new administrator takes over, or of the most up-to-date login information for the account in question before the staff turns over.
● Adelphi administrators identified as administrators of accounts are held responsible for managing and monitoring content of their officially recognized accounts.
● Administrators are responsible to remove content that may violate the University’s conduct policies.
Content
● Use good judgment about content and respect privacy laws. Do not include confidential information about the University, its staff, or its students.
● You may post any content that is not threatening, obscene, a violation of intellectual property rights or privacy laws, or otherwise injurious or illegal.
● Representation of your personal opinions as being endorsed by the University or any of its organizations is strictly prohibited. You may not use the Adelphi name to promote any opinion, product, cause, or political candidate.
● By posting content to any social media site, you agree that you own or otherwise control all of the rights to that content, that your use of the content is protected fair use, that you will not knowingly provide misleading or false information, and that you hold the University harmless for any claims resulting from the content.
● Adelphi has the right to remove any content for any reason, including but not limited to, content that it deems threatening, obscene, a violation of intellectual property rights or privacy laws, or otherwise injurious or illegal.
● When using or posting online material that includes direct or paraphrased quotes, thoughts, ideas, photos, or videos, always include citations. Provide a link to the original material if applicable.
● Refrain from using information and conducting activities that may violate local, state, or federal laws and regulations.
Usage Guidelines
Do:
● Use social media to create your program's best image, as your page is likely visible to more people than just your selected friends, followers, or subscribers.
● Use social media to get involved with the campus community and learn what's happening.
● Use social media to advertise your organization's events.
● Use good judgment with your social media accounts and postings. What do you want future teammates, administrators, Adelphi faculty, and maybe even your parents to see?
● Remember that although Adelphi faculty and staff may not be monitoring things like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, at all times, that they may act on any violations of law or University policy if brought to their attention.
Don't:
● Forget that once you post something, it may live forever, even if you take it down.
● Engage in a negative conversation in a public space. If your team or organization receives negative feedback online, the best response is to invite the commenter to discuss the issue with you in person or over the phone. This will take the conversation offline and diffuse the situation quicker than if you add to the online chatter.
● Be afraid to get creative with your profile. Have fun and express yourself legally and responsibly. There are plenty of ways you can create a positive team image. You can impress your peers and community members and abide by all University policies, and laws.
