Updated: February 2023

This information is for Syracuse University student employees who will use Falk College or Falk-affiliated (i.e. academic department, academic program) social media accounts. This is NOT for University faculty and staff who run Falk College or Falk-affiliated accounts, or for students who run social media for registered student organizations.

On this Page:

Training Video

Content

Before you start creating content, please complete an Image Release Form and return to your supervisor. You can obtain the Image Release Form from the Falk Communications office.

Use only original content. Take your own original photos and videos. Do not use any copyrighted materials, stock photography, or any images from other accounts/around the web on Falk social media.

Check your spelling and grammar. We're a higher education institution, so we need to demonstrate professionalism. Please be sure you double check your spelling and grammar!

Avoid using graphics (images with text on them, such as event fliers). Graphics are strongly discouraged as they introduce accessibility and brand-related restrictions. Rather than posting graphic, please use the following strategy: 

  1. Post an engaging photo.

  2. Include high-level details (i.e. date, time, location) in the post caption, and 

  3. Include a link to more information (i.e. a link the event’s page on Syracuse University Event Calendar).

If you and your supervisor determine that a graphic is absolutely necessary, please:

  1. Create your graphic using Adobe Spark (Training Session 1 and Session 2). All students have access to Adobe Creative Suite through Syracuse University).

  2. Follow accessibility guidelines (see "Accessibility" section below).

  3. Approve your graphic with your supervisor, who will ensure it meets University brand guidelines.

Tone and Personality

Our goal is to help people get to know Falk College, understand us, like us, and trust us.

If we misuse a hashtag, pop culture reference, meme, etc., we can look foolish, offend, alienate, or do other harm. Therefore:

Accessibility

All social media content must adhere to Syracuse University accessibility policies and platform-specific accessibility standards.

Syracuse University IT Resources on Accessible Social Media

Platform-Specific Resources

Five Basics Best Practices

Privacy and Permissions

Campus community, which includes current students, faculty, and staff: If your photo or video prominently features one person or a small group, each person must complete a Model Release Form for the university. Wide shots in public spaces, like the Quad, etc. are OK without this form.

Non-campus community (local individuals, visitors to campus): Each individual should complete a Model Release Form. Return completed forms to your supervisor for Falk Communications records.

Children or minors: DO NOT take photos of children or minors! Unless you have specifically been instructed by your supervisor or Falk Communications that ALL children/minors in your shoot have completed Syracuse University Model Release Forms (MUST be Syracuse University's form, no other forms are acceptable.). No exceptions.

For large events: For large events where it is not feasible to obtain individual release forms for all participants, use the following three-step protocol:

  1. Obtain individual Model Release Forms (attached) for the prominent speakers, panelists. Return these to Falk Communications.

  2. Place an event sign-in sheet at the event entrance. The sheet should indicate that, by attending the event, participants consent to be photographed for use in university general marketing. Return this to Falk Communications.

  3. Make a verbal announcement of photography at start of the event. Participants who do not wish to be photographed should identify themselves to the photographer and be asked to move to a designated area in the room so they are not prominently featured in photographs.

Security

Special Circumstances