Social media are media designed to be disseminated through social interaction on the Internet, created using highly accessible and scalable publishing techniques, and published in blogs, social networking sites, online chat rooms and forums, video sites, and other platforms and venues. The College values the use of social media, such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, texting, blogs, and online discussion groups (among many other forms), to promote positive social interaction. However, the College also recognizes the potential danger for misuse, inappropriate behavior, and abuse. Therefore, students presently enrolled at the school must know that they are liable and responsible for anything they post to social media sites.
- Students are prohibited from posting confidential or proprietary information about the school, its students, faculty, or staff members on a social media site.
- Students are prohibited from sharing, disseminating, or transmitting electronic information that reveals any private or confidential information they may have learned about others (including patients) during their tenure at the school or externship sites. Applicable federal and state requirements, such as FERPA and HIPAA, are to be followed at all times.
- When participating in any form of social media, students are encouraged not to misrepresent themselves, and to make postings that are both meaningful and respectful without any kind of slanderous or offensive language that may be aimed at any member or group of the College community.
- The use of any social media sites to harass, intimidate or bully a fellow student, faculty, member of the College and/or affiliate is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated. (See Policy on Cyberbullying.)
- When posting on social media sites, students must be mindful of all copyright and intellectual property rights, especially those reserved by the school.
- The use of the school logo, image, or iconography on personal social media sites to endorse a particular political party or candidate or to promote a product, cause, or event is strictly prohibited.
- Students are expected to obey the Terms of Service of any social media site.
Students who violate this policy may face disciplinary actions, up to and including dismissal from school.