Skip to main content
Indiana University
IU Brand
Social Media

Make sure you're adhering to social media policies

The usage of social media platforms as official Indiana University communications channels is managed and guided by the Office of the Vice President for University Communications. For more information on policies, best practices, engagement protocols, and to elevate concerns, contact Social@IU.edu.

Community Guidelines

Updated May 15, 2023

The usage of online platforms, including but not limited to social media, by Indiana University is intended to extend traditional channels of engagement and transparency, as well as to provide informational and educational opportunities that elevate the perception of our institution and meet core goals and objectives.

Communication with the university, and the staff responsible for maintaining social platforms, is a two-way conversation; however, when necessary, page administrators reserve the right to remove user-generated content or comments in accordance with this document for the safety and security of audiences.

Posts may be removed for any of the following reasons, at any time:

  • Use of obscene, threatening, discriminatory, predatory or harassing language
  • Disclosure of information that is confidential by law or regulation and/or could reasonably compromise safety; including information as defined by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Regulations
  • Content advocating for violence or illegal activity
  • Posts violating intellectual property rights of any party, including copyright or trademark infringement
  • Advertisement or promotion of commercial products, services, entities, or individuals
  • Endorsement or opposition of any person campaigning for election to a political office or promoting or opposing any ballot proposal
  • Duplicative comments by the same user or multiple users. In the case of identical comments only the first submission will be approved

All users, including administrators, are subject to the Terms of Service (TOS) of the host site. Communications made through online technology in no way constitutes a legal or official notice to Indiana University, its agencies, faculty, or staff. References to third-party content or websites do not indicate endorsement or responsibility on behalf of the university. These guidelines are monitored and updated as technology evolves.

For questions or concerns regarding these guidelines please contact: Social@IU.edu.

Platform Conduct

Indiana University is utilizing social media platforms that are owned and operated by companies with their own policies and standards of use. You can view each platform’s standards below.

All users, including administrators, are subject to the Terms of Service (TOS) of the host site. Communications made through online technology in no way constitutes a legal or official notice to Indiana University, its agencies, faculty, or staff. References to third-party content or websites do not indicate endorsement or responsibility on behalf of the university. These guidelines are monitored and updated as technology evolves.

For questions or concerns regarding these guidelines please contact: Social@IU.edu

Indiana University does not control these guidelines nor does it guarantee a user's personal or private information is fully secured or invulnerable to identity theft, computer viruses, or other malware that may cause harm to a computer system or network. In addition, the university is not responsible for comments or posts placed on the university’s sites by visitors.

Personal Conduct

Indiana University staff, faculty, and students are free to use personal social media accounts at their own discretion. However, the IU community is held to a high standard of conduct that is reflective of our values as an institution.

Please refer to the following documents to ensure your online presence is in line with our community standards:

Employee conduct: https://hr.iu.edu/policies/index.htm#loaded
Student conduct: https://studentlife.indiana.edu/care-advocacy/student-conduct/index.html

If you believe an IU community member has used social media to negatively impact you or someone you know, please fill out an official report.

Report employee conduct: https://equity.iu.edu/report-incident/index.html
Report student conduct: https://reportincident.iu.edu/report/index.html

Administrator Conduct

All Indiana University students, faculty, and staff that are managing an IU-affiliated social media account must follow the standards outlined below. An IU-affiliated account is defined as an account representing an Indiana University campus, school, department, program, office, or unit that is managed by an employee, student, or staff member. No official IU-affiliated account can be used to:

  • Make personal monetary gain
  • Stalk, harass, or threaten
  • Illegally discriminate
  • Advocate or cause harm to university property
  • Intentionally disrupt university activities
  • Publish confidential information about Indiana University, its faculty, staff, or students

All university administrators are expected to uphold the Indiana University Code of Conduct. You may not post any intentionally malicious, defamatory, degrading, or hateful material. This does not include frank discussions, criticisms or opinions, which are protected under free speech.

For a printable copy of this information, please email Social@IU.edu.

Policies you need to know