Social Media Policy Statement

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Trinidad State Social Media Policy

Social media is an important communication tool for Trinidad State College. When used responsibly, it helps the college share information, highlight achievements, and engage with prospective and current students, employees, alumni, and the communities we serve.

This policy outlines expectations for the creation, management, and use of official Trinidad State social media accounts.

Official Social Media Accounts

Official Trinidad State social media accounts are outward-facing communication and marketing channels that represent the institution.

All official accounts:

Must be approved by the Communications Department prior to creation
Must follow Trinidad State and CCCS social media guidelines
Must use an official Trinidad State email address
Must have at least two Trinidad State employees assigned as administrators, one of whom must be the current Webmaster

Official social media accounts are the property of Trinidad State College. When an employee leaves their position or no longer manages an account, access must be updated immediately.

Content Standards & Review

Content posted on official Trinidad State social media accounts must support the mission, values, and reputation of the college and follow Communications Department guidance.

Certain content, including branded campaigns, sensitive topics, or crisis-related messaging, may require review or approval prior to posting.

Comment Moderation & Public Records

Trinidad State social media platforms are intended to encourage respectful and constructive engagement. The college reserves the right to moderate content on its official accounts.

Content may be removed if it includes:

Profane, obscene, or discriminatory language
Threats, harassment, or personal attacks
Illegal activity
Spam or commercial promotions
Disclosure of confidential or protected information, including student records

As a public institution, Trinidad State social media content may be subject to Colorado public records laws. Content, including comments and messages, may be archived in accordance with applicable retention requirements.

Legal & Compliance Considerations

FERPA

Employees must comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) when using social media. Student educational records or personally identifiable student information may not be shared without appropriate consent.

When in doubt, do not post.

Accessibility

Trinidad State is committed to accessible communication. Administrators of official accounts should make reasonable efforts to:

Provide alternative text (alt text) for images
Caption videos whenever possible
Avoid image-only posts for critical information

Copyright & Permissions

Only content that Trinidad State owns or has permission to use may be shared on official social media accounts. Appropriate permissions and credits must be obtained when required.

Crisis & Sensitive Communications

In situations involving emergencies, safety concerns, legal matters, or other sensitive issues, social media communications must be coordinated through the Communications Department and college leadership.

Social media administrators should not independently post or respond to these matters.

General Best Practices

When posting on behalf of Trinidad State:

Be professional, respectful, and honest
Use an authentic voice that reflects the college
Think before posting—content shared online is permanent
Keep personal and professional social media use separate

Questions or Guidance

For questions about social media use, account management, or content guidance, please contact:

Ryan Andersen
Webmaster, Trinidad State College