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Social Media Policy for Students

Social Media Policy for Students

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Document Number: SOCIALMEDIA--101

Revision #: 4.0

Document Owner: Executive Director of Marketing and Communications 

Date Last Updated:09/24/2025

Date Originally Created: 07/25/2013

Revised: 09/06/2019

Revised: 09/24/2025
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Policy Provisions

1. Introduction

Social media is a powerful communications tool that has significant impact on organizational and individual reputations. While Cumberland University values the ability to connect with its worldwide community, we also acknowledge these systems can be used positively to effectively promote ideas and innovation and can also have significant negative impact. Our goal is to enhance and protect personal and professional reputations when interacting with various social media which often extends traditional channels of engagement and transparency and opens a two-way conversation.

Remember, the online spaces where you engage are visible to all. In order to be a positive steward of Cumberland, it will be helpful to understand social media and what it means to engage online, the risks you can anticipate, and how to deal with problems. Respect, professionalism, and awareness are key to promoting civil discourse online and in person.

2. Defining Social Media and Social Media Posts

Broadly defined, social media encompasses any online platform or channel for user-generated content that allows anyone to publish and access information, collaborate on a common effort, and build relationships. Primarily, it refers to but is not limited to platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Tik-Tok, Pinterest, Tumblr, Snapchat, and YouTube. A social media post includes but is not limited to written text, original photos, edited photos, graphics, and videos. Social media posts also include the sharing of original content and the content of others.


3. Guidelines & Expectations for Personal Social Media Sites

Remember, social media is about conversations, community, connecting with the audience, and building relationships. Social media not only allows you to hear what people say but also enables you to respond. A word of caution: Listen before you speak and consider the power of silence. This section is intended to encourage the use of social media wisely. In general, what you do on your own time is a personal decision. However, activities and actions on or off campus that affect your student safety and performance, or the performance of others may be cause for disciplinary action.

  1. You should strive to always reflect the mission, vision, and core values of Cumberland University. As a CU student, positions and statements you make on social media can sometimes be construed as reflecting or advocating for the University. Your conduct and speech online should always reflect University values, but you are free to express your own opinions.
  2. Be mindful of how Cumberland’s other policies apply online. Ensure that your social networking conduct is consistent with all other policies contained in Cumberland’s Policies and Procedures Manual (including the Confidentiality and Disclosure policy and Sexual Harassment policy), and Information Technology Acceptable Use Policies. You must also ensure your social networking conduct complies with FERPA policies and NAIA regulations. Failure to comply with any of the aforementioned policies could result in disciplinary consequences.
  3. Do not misuse the Cumberland brand. Do not use Cumberland’s logo, unless specifically authorized to do so by the Office of Marketing and Communications or in the case you are sharing an official University social media post. Rules and guidelines for acceptable use of the Cumberland brand can be found in the University’s Brand Manual Guidelines
  4. You must respect your audience. Do not use social media to threaten, libel, slander, defame, or discriminate. Ethnic slurs, personal insults, and obscenities are prohibited, and users should not engage in any conduct that would not be acceptable on campus. Show proper respect and consideration for others’ privacy and for topics that may be considered objectionable or inflammatory.
  5. You must always report a crisis situation. If you are made aware of content online that could result in trouble for faculty, staff, or fellow students, act quickly and notify the Dean of Students, campus security, or other appropriate campus leadership. Also, if you become aware of a situation that has not been referenced by anyone online, but likely will, follow the same protocol.
  6. Share content with integrity. Cumberland expects you to write knowledgeably, accurately and professionally. Respect differences and appreciate the diversity of opinions.

4. Using your personal social media to promote the University

Cumberland students sharing content on social media is one of the most effective ways of growing the online reach of CU and promoting its brand. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to share, retweet and repost Cumberland content on their personal social media accounts—news stories, videos, tweets and photos alike. Linking to a relevant cumberland.edu webpage further increases the online presence of CU. Be sure to tag or mention Cumberland, too.

5. Recommended practices for interacting on social media

The following recommendations apply specifically to student interactions in a social media environment.

  1. Students should interact online with the same professionalism and appropriateness they would adhere to on campus. Issues that arise online may be addressed in person on campus with appropriate leadership depending on the severity of the issue.
  2. Avoid using social media platforms to communicate about courses or class assignments.
  3. If you’re uncomfortable with a fellow student’s behavior, interaction or content on social media, discuss it with appropriate leadership. If a student expresses on social media the desire or intent to harm him/her self or others, document and report what you’ve seen to the Dean of Students or Campus Security immediately.

6. Conclusion

In order to keep your social media accounts a space for civil discourse and information sharing, we’ve created the following reminders:

Social media is a public forum. Remember that anything you post may be seen by thousands of people worldwide, and that comments you read are attributable only to the individual who posted them. Comments, replies, and other responses do not represent the viewpoint of Cumberland University or any of its affiliates.

Be respectful. Demonstrate respect for other people and the Cumberland community (Faculty, Staff, Students, Alumni, Donors, etc.) by always keeping your posts civil.

Private information should not be posted. Do not publish or share personal information on social media, even in private messages.

Cumberland University is committed to fostering a safe community where everyone can learn, live, work and express ourselves. Comments, direct messages, and other forms of social media outreach directed at Cumberland University-affiliated accounts are not mechanisms for reporting concerns of discrimination or harassment. Cumberland encourages all community members to raise concerns, including discrimination and harassment through the multiple other more appropriate options available to the University community.