Purpose

This addendum to the Information Technology Acceptable Use Policy (ITAUP) is to promote responsible engagement and dialogue between HutchCC employees and students, prospective students and/or constituents. Whether or not HutchCC faculty and staff choose to create or participate in a blog, wiki, online social network or discussion is his or her decision. However, emerging online collaboration platforms are fundamentally changing the way faculty and staff work and how they engage with each other, students and the public. To promote learning and collaboration, HutchCC believes in the importance of open exchange between HutchCC and our students or prospective students. The rapidly-growing phenomenon of user-generated web content such as blogging, social web-applications and social networking are emerging important arenas for learning and collaboration.

Policy Detail

1. Hutchinson Community College does not monitor staff or student social networking content published independently of their work at HutchCC. The views and information on such postings do not constitute official college information.
2. Personnel will identify themselves by name and, when relevant, their role at HutchCC when discussing HutchCC-related matters.
3. When possible (without limiting effectiveness) and as information technology at HutchCC progresses, HutchCC related content will be published on HutchCC owned systems (blogs, wiki’s, etc…), and outside sites referred to those URLs.
4. Content published to blogs (and other narrative based discussions) outside of HutchCC that has something to do with the College require a disclaimer such as, "The postings on this site are my own and don't necessarily represent Hutchinson Community College's positions, strategies or opinions."
5. When participating in any social networking online community, content should be treated in such a manner that once posted online it is available to anyone in the world. Any text or photo placed online typically becomes the property of the social networking site(s) and can not be controlled the moment it is placed online.
6. All laws and regulations relating to copyright and fair use shall be followed without exception.
7. Web content is by definition public information and as such no HutchCC proprietary information, student information, confidential information or personally-identifying information will be published at any time.
8. Clients, partners, or suppliers will not be cited without their approval. When possible, references will be linked back to the source.
9. It is recommended that HutchCC students, faculty, and staff adhere to the terms and conditions of social networking sites.
10. For those social networking sites that require identification of HutchCC official representatives, those representatives shall be determined by the HutchCC President’s Council. HutchCC faculty, staff, or students shall not electronically agree to manage social networking sites on behalf of HutchCC without President’s Council approval.
11. Any HutchCC faculty, staff or student should follow all state and federal laws regarding comments that discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, disability, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or age.
12. Be aware of your association with HutchCC in online social networks. If you identify yourself as an HutchCC faculty, staff, or student, ensure your profile and related content is consistent with how you wish to present yourself with colleagues, students and the public.
13. Social networking activities should not interfere with work commitments.
14. Company logos and trademarks may not be used on social networking sites without written consent of the HutchCC Marketing Department.
15. Use of social networking sites are subject to all aspects of the Information Technology Acceptable Use Policy, the disciplinary policy, and other HutchCC policies.