Official College Social Media Accounts
These guidelines are designed to help Central Penn College faculty and staff effectively manage official social media accounts for academic programs, departments, or majors while maintaining professionalism, consistency, and alignment with the College’s mission and brand.
Account Creation & Approval
- Approval Process – Before launching an official social media account on behalf of a program or department, faculty or staff must submit the form below to Marketing & Communications for approval.
- Naming Conventions – All accounts should clearly identify the affiliation with Central Penn College. Example: Central Penn College [Program Name] or @CPC[ProgramName].
- Administrative Access – At least one full-time faculty or staff member must be designated as the primary administrator. Marketing & Communications must also be granted administrative access to ensure continuity in case of staff changes.
Content Guidelines
- Brand Consistency – Posts should reflect the College’s mission, values, and brand voice. Use official logos, colors, and messaging as provided by the Office of Marketing & Communications via the Branding Toolkit which is available on the T drive.
- Professionalism & Tone – Maintain a respectful, professional, and engaging tone. Avoid controversial topics, offensive language, or personal opinions that do not align with the College’s mission.
- Accuracy & Compliance – Verify all information before posting. Ensure compliance with FERPA, HIPAA, copyright laws, and Central Penn College policies. Students being featured should fill out this form when possible: Photo / Likeness Release Form
- Visual & Multimedia Content – Use high-quality images and videos that reflect the College positively.
- Engagement & Responsiveness – Monitor comments and messages regularly. Respond professionally and in a timely manner. If a situation escalates, notify Marketing & Communications.
- Inclusivity & Accessibility – Ensure posts are inclusive and accessible, including using alt text for images and avoiding jargon or acronyms without explanations.
Prohibited Content
- Personal opinions on political, religious, or controversial issues.
- Discriminatory, harassing, or offensive content.
- Confidential or proprietary College information.
- Promotional content unrelated to Central Penn College programs or events.
- Unverified news, rumors, or speculative information.
Crisis Management & Escalation
In the event of a crisis or negative engagement:
- Do not engage in arguments or heated discussions.
- Take screenshots of any concerning content.
- Immediately notify Marketing & Communications for guidance.
Account Maintenance & Monitoring
- Regular Updates – Post consistently, at least once per week, to maintain audience engagement.
- Security Measures – Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication where applicable. Do not share login credentials with unauthorized individuals. Marketing and Communications will also have access to all accounts. For Facebook this means ownership of the page, for Instagram accounts, they must be provided current log-in information.
- Annual Review – Marketing & Communications will conduct an annual review of all official social media accounts to ensure compliance and effectiveness.
Account Deactivation
If an account is no longer active or relevant, the Marketing & Communications reserves the right to deactivate or transition strategies.
Support & Contact Information
For questions, training, or assistance, contact Marketing & Communications at webcontentspecialist@centralpenn.edu.
By following these guidelines, faculty and staff can help maintain a professional and engaging social media presence that positively represents Central Penn College and its academic programs.
Additional Social Media Forms
Social Media Request Form
Fill out my online form.
