Applies to: Faculty, Staff
Policy Holder: Communications & Marketing
Responsible Office: Communications & Marketing
Contact Information: Chief Marketing Officer
Effective Date: March 1, 2025
Last Review Date: March 1, 2025
Related Policies:
Acceptable Use Policy
Social Media Policy
Approved by: Vice President of Finance and Administration
1.0 Background and Purpose
Mitchell Hamline School of Law (MHSL) has identified these “best practice” guidelines to help you use social media forums effectively, protect your personal and professional reputation, and follow MHSL policies.
1.1 Who Needs to Know?
The MHSL Social Media Guidelines Policy applies to faculty, staff, and students.
2.0 Policy/Guidelines
Blogs and social media networks such as Facebook, YouTube, X, lnstagram, Snapchat, Flickr, Google+, and Linkedln (just to name a few) are exciting virtual forums in which people share information, express their creativity, tell their stories, and connect with others who share their interests. MHSL supports participation in these online communities, consistent with adherence to these guidelines and the School’s Acceptable Use Policy.
Be Respectful of School Time and Property. School computers and work time are to be used for School-related business. You should maintain your personal sites on your own time using non-MHSL computers. It is appropriate to post at work if you are a supervisor-appointed administrator of a MHSL-related blog or Facebook, X, YouTube, or other social media account and you are posting to that account.
Be transparent and honest. Be honest about who you are in your personal posts. Be clear that you are sharing your personal views, not as a representative of MHSL. Do not use MHSL’s name, logos, or seal to promote/endorse-any product, cause, or political party/candidate.
Be accurate. Make sure that you have all the facts before you post. It is better to verify information with a source first than to have to post a correction or retraction later. Cite and link to your sources whenever possible. If you make an error, correct it quickly.
Be respectful. You are more likely to achieve your goals or provoke thoughtful discussion if you are constructive and respectful while discussing a bad experience or disagreeing with a concept or person.
Consider your audience. Social media often span traditional boundaries between professional and personal relationships. Use privacy settings to restrict personal information on otherwise public sites. Choose profile photos and images carefully. Be thoughtful about the type of photos you upload.
Think before you post. There is no such thing as a “private” social media site. Search engines can turn up posts years after the publication date. Comments, even on hidden or ‘closed’ groups or pages can be forwarded or copied. Archival systems save information even if you delete a post. If you are upset or angry about a subject, it is wise to delay posting until you are calm and clear-headed.
Maintain confidentiality. Do not post confidential, proprietary, libelous, or defamatory information about MHSL, its students, its alumni, or its employees. Use good ethical judgment and follow School policies and federal requirements, such as FERPA.
This policy is for informational purposes only. It is not a contract of employment, and nothing in it is intended to create or imply a contract for employment or for the provision of any employment benefit. Mitchell Hamline School of Law reserves the right to interpret the provisions of this policy and to modify any or all matters contained in this policy at any time, with or without prior notice, subject to applicable law