In the fall of 2009, the Augusta State University Alumni Association created a social media policy as an attempt to govern the use of social networking sites by members of the ASU Alumni Association Board of Directors. The guidelines herein provide suggestions on how board members can and should engage fellow alums and friends of ASU and may be amended and expanded as needed.

Social Networking Guidelines:

1. Signing the association up for social media sites falls under the purview of the Vice President for Public Relations and/or faculty and staff in the ASU Office of Development and Alumni Relations
2. When interacting: Be courteous
3. Identify yourself – by name, and when relevant, as a member of the association. Write in the first person. Make it clear that you are speaking for yourself and not as the association.
4. All events and otherwise-classified official announcements fall under the purview of the Vice President for Public Relations, members of the Public Relations Committee and staff of the Office of Development and Alumni Relations
5. If you publish “unofficial” content (i.e. copies of posts from other members, feedback, photos from events) from any of the association’s social networking sites to another Web site, use a disclaimer such as: “The postings on this site are my own and don’t necessarily represent the position or opinion of Augusta State University or the university’s alumni association
6. Do no provide proprietary information about the association, its members or any ASU donor. Ask permission before reporting on conversations that are internal to the board
7. Don’t site or reference donors or association members without their approval
8. Respect the audience. Don’t use ethnic slurs, personal insults, obscenities or engage in any conduct that would not be deemed acceptable by the alumni board. Show proper consideration for others’ privacy and for topics that may be considered objectionable or inflammatory – such as politics or religion
9. Be aware of your association with the university and the board in online social networks. If you identify yourself as an alumni board member, ensure your profile and the related content is consistent with how you wish to present yourself to other potential association members, students, faculty and staff of Augusta State University
10. Try to add value with posts. Provide worthwhile information. The association is best represented by its people and what you publish could reflect on ASU and the alumni board.