The Wire:Connecting the Middle College Community One Click at a Time

Jessica GreenwoodJenny GuerraAshley Gomez

Florida International University

Who’s using social media?•Everyone!

▫In 2009-10, 95% of colleges and universities were using some form of social media

▫Most recent study: 100%!•Reviewed best practices from following

institutions:▫University of Michigan▫Seattle University▫Colorado State University▫University of Texas at AustinBarnes, N.G. & Lexcault, A.M. (2010). Social media adoption soars as higher-ed experiments and reevaluates its use of new communication tools. University of Massachussets-Dartmouth Center for Marketing Research. Retrieved from: http://www.umassd.edu/cmr/studiesandresearch/socialmediaadoptionsoars/

What are they using?•Facebook: 98% of colleges and universities•Twitter: 84% of colleges and universities•Blog: 51% of colleges and universities•Podcasting: 41% of colleges and universities•LinkedIn: 47% of admissions professionals

Barnes, N.G. & Lexcault, A.M. (2010). Social media adoption soars as higher-ed experiments and reevaluates its use of new communication tools. University of Massachussets-Dartmouth Center for Marketing Research. Retrieved from: http://www.umassd.edu/cmr/studiesandresearch/socialmediaadoptionsoars/

Who’s monitoring it?•44% of institutions have a social media

policy for staff and students that engage in online conversation related to the school

•Increased from 32% last year…increasing trend?

•68% of institutions monitor what’s being said about their school online

Barnes, N.G. & Lexcault, A.M. (2010). Social media adoption soars as higher-ed experiments and reevaluates its use of new communication tools. University of Massachussets-Dartmouth Center for Marketing Research. Retrieved from: http://www.umassd.edu/cmr/studiesandresearch/socialmediaadoptionsoars/

The Wire: Social Media at Middle College

•Learning Outcomes▫Creating awareness about opportunities to

use social media at Middle College▫Encouraging communication between the

campus community▫Educating students on the benefits and

consequences of social media

• Maintain Confidentiality and Privacy• Engaging in Harassment via Social Media• Use of Middle College Name and Logo• Review of Content

The Wire: Social Media at Middle College• Create central hub called “The Wire”• Mission of The Wire and social media at MC• Guidelines on usage and potential policy violations• Resources

▫Workshops, webinars, and tips on social media • Faculty/Staff

▫Specific information on using social media for classroom and departments

• Contact information for questions, comments, and concerns

• Help section linked to IT department for technical assistance

The Wire: Social Media at Middle College• Highlight Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and LinkedIn

▫ Link to list of all MC supported users, both curricular and co-curricular

• Social Media Star of the Week▫ Student, faculty, or staff using social media in innovative,

positive way• “OMG! They Did What?!?!”

▫ Discuss instances of “bad etiquette” on social media▫ New issues each week▫ Real, anonymous examples if possible

• Live Chats▫ Host live chats via Twitter that discuss social media

current trends and issues

Electronic Civility Guidelines•Collaborate with Office of Student

Conduct to implement social media guidelines into Student Conduct Code

•Sanctions will be issued for any campus community member found in violation of the guidelines

Electronic Civility Guidelines• Maintain Confidentiality and Privacy

▫Do not post confidential information about Middle College, its students, its employees, or alumni.

▫Do not discuss a situation involving named or pictured individuals on a social media site without their permission. Generally, do not post anything that you would not present in any public forum.

• Engaging in Harassment via Social Media▫No Middle College student, faculty, or staff member will

engage in any form of harassment as defined in the Conduct Code.

University of Michigan. (2010). Guidelines for the use of social media. Voices of the Staff. Retrieved from http://voices.umich.edu/docs/Social-Media-Guidelines.pdfSeattle University. (2012). Social Media Policy. Marketing Communications. Retrieved from: http://www.seattleu.edu/marcom/Inner.aspx?id=53083

Electronic Civility Guidelines• Use of Middle College Name and Logo

▫Do not use Middle College’s logo or other images on personal online sites.

▫Do not use Middle College’s name to promote or endorse any product, cause, or political party or candidate. Follow all Middle College logo and trademark guidelines to receive permission to use.

• Review of Content▫Middle College reserves the right to review any content

on a social media website that references Middle College in any way.

University of Michigan. (2010). Guidelines for the use of social media. Voices of the Staff. Retrieved from http://voices.umich.edu/docs/Social-Media-Guidelines.pdfSeattle University. (2012). Social Media Policy. Marketing Communications. Retrieved from: http://www.seattleu.edu/marcom/Inner.aspx?id=53083

THANK YOU!