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Social Media Policy

Social Media Policy

Social media is a powerful tool for building pride and encouraging dialogue among College of Science community members. Sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn have become important and influential communication channels for our community. The College encourages the creation and use of social media accounts, providing that affiliated social media accounts adhere to Oregon State’s social media policy.

Social media accounts created on behalf of the College of Science are the property of Oregon State University, and messages shared from faculty, staff and students must be consistent with the University’s mission and guidelines. Creators and administrators of the accounts do not have ownership rights.

All posted content is subject to review in accordance with the College’s editorial guidelines, OSU employee policies, and the following social media policies:

Posting on Behalf of Oregon State Requires Specific Administrative Access

No less than two people must have administrative access to each account. At least one of those people must be a full-time (non-student) employee of OSU. This allows for better regulation of content and creates a backup if an administrator were to leave the University.

Managing Negative Feedback from Users

If our alumni, faculty, students or staff provide negative feedback, it is important to address the issue. For those that are very upset, give an option to connect offline and away from public view. If you have the ability to contact them directly, make sure to leave a response, in the public forum, so others don't assume the issue was ignored.

For minor grievances or complaints try to solve the problem publicly. Be apologetic, offer to help. Try to find a solution, but make sure to not overpromise or commit to something that cannot be delivered. Negative feedback happens, and it is an opportunity to demonstrate the value of your social network.

If you are unsure on how to respond to a specific situation, please reach out to the College of Science marketing team for help.
Privacy Laws

Use good judgment when sharing recognizable images and information on subjects. Do not include confidential information about the University, its staff, students or materials on any social media sites. All recognizable subjects in imagery must sign a model release form.

Copyright and Attribution

If you share external logos, images, videos, articles, messages or user-generated content, be sure to provide appropriate credit to the original creator.

Official Announcements

Announcements like University closures will come directly from the University’s main accounts, which College of Science accounts can reshare.

What to Do in a Crisis

In the event of an emergency or high-level announcement on or off campus, OSU asks that university-related accounts refrain from posting any content, and refer all followers to the @OregonState Twitter account for more information. Use this copy to direct traffic: “For updates on the current situation, follow @OregonState or visit oregonstate.edu. Thank you.”

Social marketing messaging guidelines

Purpose

We work to advance the College of Science’ mission: To advance science and build global leaders for a healthy people, living on a healthy planet, in a healthy economy.

Vision

Our messaging aims position the College of Science as a top leader in science education and research so that it becomes the first choice for science education, research funding and collaboration, and donor investment in Oregon and beyond.

We steward our team’s time and talent to support the following goals:

OSU Goals

  • Preeminence in research, scholarship and innovation
  • Transformative education that is accessible to all learners
  • Significant and visible impact in Oregon and beyond

Dean's Goals

  • Serve Oregon State’s mission
  • Advance equity, justice and inclusion
  • Student recruitment, retention and success
  • Research and teaching opportunities for faculty and graduate students
  • Fiscal health of the College
  • Development and fundraising

Our responsibilities

Ensure that the image of the College and its strengths are being accurately, compellingly and professionally communicated so as to inspire confidence in the College's mission and vision.

Develop consistent and coordinated messaging/positioning strategies that meet the needs of our target audiences.

Target audiences

Primary

  • Current students
  • Prospective students – high-achieving
  • Prospective students – diverse
  • Transfer students

Secondary

  • Internal audiences – science faculty/staff, OSU leadership
  • Donors, alumni and friends

Influencers

  • High school and community college counselors
  • Professional science organizations
  • Peer institutions
  • Congressional leaders

Messaging

Our messaging derives from The College of Science’s mission, vision, and values.

Mission

To advance science and build global leaders for a healthy people, living on a healthy planet, in a healthy economy.

Vision

Driven by unbridled curiosity, our students and scientists unlock how Life and the Universe work.

Together we will ignite a passion for science in all learners, thrive in a data rich world,
Improve human and ocean health, develop sustainable materials to power our planet, and
move discoveries from the lab to people's lives.

Values

  • Our people—our students, faculty, staff, alumni—and their successes.
  • Fundamental research for a better future.
  • Collaboration to solve the world’s problems and create opportunities.
  • Meaningful experiences that transform lives.
  • Outstanding teaching for engaging learners.
  • Diversity to build the best teams to do the best science.
  • An inclusive community.
  • Scientific literacy for all.

The COS Message Map


The message map helps us articulate our mission, vision and values in ways that resonate with our audiences. As an extension of the university's messaging map, our message map expands on the attributes and benefits that are specific to the College of Science.

At OSU College of Science, we inspire all people to: appreciate the value of science, advance curiosity-driven research and address today’s global challenges.

To deliver: fundamental knowledge, innovative solutions, and determined leaders.

In order to inspire people to appreciate the value of science, advance curiosity-driven research and address today’s global challenges, we

  • Pioneer innovative research and education
  • Understand and transform the world through discovery
  • Accelerate learning through collaboration
  • Pursue knowledge with passion and purpose

In addition to delivering fundamental knowledge, innovative solutions and determined leaders, we

  • Create a blueprint for a brighter future
  • Facilitate global change
  • Harness a global network to catalyze global change
  • Inspire confidence in the value of science