Social Media Policies & Community Guidelines
Southern New Hampshire University (“SNHU”) has an established presence on social media to better interact, engage and communicate with students (current, prospective and alumni), parents, faculty, partners and other interested parties. SNHU channels help to further the university’s mission of fostering a free exchange of ideas and content, in a learning environment that is respectful and educational.
Expectations for use of SNHU channels - By interacting with SNHU on any of its social media channels, you agree to conduct yourself in a dignified, ethical and responsible manner. Behavior which would not be permitted or tolerated in person at an official SNHU meeting, function, office, class or event will not be tolerated on SNHU’s social media channels.
Your activity on SNHU social media channels is subject to these guidelines and the policies of third-party platforms on which SNHU establishes a presence, including (but not limited to):
- Facebook Statement of Rights and Responsibilities
- Twitter Terms of Service
- Instagram Terms of Use
- Pinterest Acceptable Use Policy
- YouTube Terms of Service
- LinkedIn Terms of Service
Use of SNHU social media channels by SNHU students and employees is also subject to SNHU policies applicable to such individuals, including, but not limited to:
- Social Media Policy for Employees (Page 8 of Employee Handbook)
- Inappropriate Use of Technology for Students (Page 26 of Student Handbook)
SNHU may, in it’s sole discretion remove any content posted on SNHU’s social media channels that is deemed to be:
- Profane
- Inflammatory, antagonistic or threatening content (e.g., “cyber-bullying”)
- Content that promotes, fosters or perpetuates discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, military status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation and expression
- Sexual content or links to sexual content
- Solicitations of commerce
- Promotion or endorsement of a political or charitable activity
- Conduct or encouragement of illegal activity
- Information that may tend to compromise the safety or security of the public or public systems
- Posting of SPAM, which is defined as off-topic hyperlinks or comments, or repeated posting of identical or nearly identical content
- Otherwise contrary to applicable SNHU or third-party partner policies.
Users shall not post any content that infringes on the intellectual property or proprietary rights of any person, business, entity or organization. This includes compliance with relevant federal, state and local copyright, patent, trademark, fair use and University policies. You also agree not to disclose any information which would materially affect legal proceedings or pending litigation.
Privacy - All content posted on SNHU’s social media channels is public, freely accessible and archived by host platforms. Furthermore, the content is indexed by Internet search engines and searchable at any time with the exception of closed social groups. Users should have not expectation of privacy with regard to any content posted on SNHU social media channels. All users are prohibited from posting content that infringes on the rights of privacy – personal, financial, proprietary, medical, legal or otherwise – of any person, business, entity or organization on SNHU’s social media channels.
No Warranty - SNHU makes no warranty, express or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any content posted by others on SNHU’s online channels.
Limitation of Liability – Neither SNHU, nor any third-party channels utilized by SNHU for its social media channels, shall be responsible and or have any liability to you, with respect to any content posted by others, including defamatory, offensive or illicit content that violates these guidelines. At SNHU’s discretion, offending parties may be blocked from posting and may be reported to the administrators of third-party channels, including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube and Pinterest, for further disciplinary action.
Indemnification - SNHU does not endorse, recommend, verify or agree with the content or comments posted or shared by others on its social media channels. You agree that if anyone brings a claim against SNHU related to your actions on SNHU’s online channels, you will indemnify and hold SNHU harmless from and against all damages, losses and expenses of any kind (including reasonable legal fees and costs) related to such claim.
Reporting Violations - SNHU encourages users to report any violations that occur outside of normal business hours to socialmedia@snhu.edu or directly to the social media platform on which the violation occurred.
Accessibility - SNHU aims to make public information available to all people, regardless of ability. In making use of social media platforms, the university encourages users to refer to these resources to ensure accessibility:
- Browser accessibility information from Internet Explorer, Firefox and others
- Accessibility and Assistive Technology on Facebook
- Applications which extend the accessibility of Twitter, such as Accessible Twitter
If you have any concerns about the accessibility of information, please contact oac@snhu.edu.
Official/Emergency Reporting
SNHU has established a presence in the social media space to better interact and communicate with students (current and prospective), parents, faculty, partners and other interested parties. If you are faced with an emergency, don’t use any of SNHU’s online channels to report it. Instead, dial 911 immediately.