Website & Social Media Services

Social media is a general term used to reference sites and activity on sites like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or any other virtual hub where users interact. Other popular social media sites include Instagram, Tumblr, TikTok, Snapchat, LinkedIn, Wikipedia, WhatsApp, Reddit, Flickr, WordPress, FourSquare and the list grows daily.

At the Office of Communications, Technology and Advancement, we aim to “offer opportunities for learning, discovery and engagement.” With this in mind, we encourage our employees to embrace social media sites as easy-access venues for streamlining processes and enriching communications and engagement. To receive social media and website services, please submit a HelpDesk ticket to helpdesk@suagcenter.com or visit https://helpdesk.suagcenter.com.

SU Ag Center’s presence or participation on social media sites is defined as:

1. Media sites established by the Center on University-owned domains (Policy Statement on Website Hosting and URL Addressing, 2004).
2. Accounts on external sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc., on behalf of the University.
3. Personal accounts on external sites that are approved for use or participation by university employees as part of their job duties.

Things to Consider Before Engaging in Social Media

Creating a successful social media page requires careful planning and resource allocation. Before you begin to use social media on behalf of the SU Ag Center, please remember the following:

Keep in Mind Other Southern University Policies

This document does not affect other University policies that might apply to the use of social media, including (but not limited to) the Harassment policy, Computer Use policy, Logo Usage policy, Workplace Violence policy and University Web Policy. If your use of social media would violate any of the Institution’s policies in another forum, it will also violate them in an online forum.

Get Necessary Approval

Only authorized employees may be a “content owner” or “administrator” for the SU Ag Center’s social media websites. Social media accounts that are being set up to represent an overall Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center and College of Agricultural, Human and Environmental Sciences “voice” or initiative must first be approved through the Office of Communications, Technology and Advancement.

Approval Process

All SU Ag Center related social media initiatives must first be approved by the proper authorities. Submit an explanation of the proposed social media initiative with all required signatures to the Electronic Content Development Specialist or designee via the SU Ag Center’s Social Media Request Form.

Use of the SU Ag Center Brand

Any use of University marks, such as logos and graphics, shall comply with the SU Ag Center Brand and Graphic Identity policies. Please use official logos and graphics that represent and adhere to the University’s guidelines. Do not use logos, word marks, or any other brand’s artifacts for personal use on social media. If you choose to promote a product, cause, political party, or candidate on social media sites, do so via your own, personal account.

Posting on Behalf of the SU Ag Center

Sharing SU Ag Center news, events or promoting faculty, staff, and student work through social media is an effective and low-cost way to engage various audiences of the campus. In addition to the general guidelines discussed above, employees creating or posting on social media sites on behalf of the SU Ag Center should remember to:

Be Accurate

Make sure you have all the facts before you post. All research, data reporting, and analysis made public on the web should be verified for accuracy. Cite and link to your sources whenever possible. That is how you build the trust of your community.

Realize Your Posts Are Public

Remember your audience. Your online presence is available to the public at large. This includes prospective clients, students, colleagues, alumni, and other stakeholders. Consider this in the content selection before publishing to ensure the post will not alienate, harm, or provoke any of these groups. When you find yourself disagreeing with others, keep your comments appropriate and polite. If you find yourself in a position where the communication becomes antagonistic, avoid being defensive. Please be respectful of other people’s opinions. Do not publish content containing slurs, personal insults or attacks, profanity or obscenity, and do not engage in any conduct on a social media site that would not be acceptable in Southern University workplaces or classrooms.

Keep Confidential Matters Private

Do not post proprietary information about the SU Ag Center, including information about clients, students, alumni, or employees. Information collected in connection with research may be protected under a nondisclosure agreement, research protocol, or other applicable law or agreement. Any protected information must not be disclosed through social media.

Be Transparent

If you are posting as a representative of the SU Ag Center, your posts are viewed as representing the views of the SU Ag Center, so make sure to post responsibly and with respect to others in your community. Your posts directly reflect upon the Center.