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University Communications

Social Media Management Procedures

I.   Registration of All BYU Social Media Accounts

BYU’s Social Media Management Policy requires that all Social Media Accounts on behalf of any campus unit or entity must be approved by the Strategic Communications Committee (SCC). This procedure also applies to accounts established to support faculty research, including those that fulfill research grant obligations and those accounts that are shared with other universities or external researchers. (See Section III: Account Management for details on managing those accounts.)

The following approval process describes the steps for creating a new Social Media Account:

Campus unit or entity must submit an Account proposal to the individual appointed by the SCC.

The Account proposal should include the following information:

  • Purpose of the Account
  • Platform
  • Target audience
  • Account name/handle suggestions
  • Planned content and engagement strategy
  • Identification of the Account Manager
  • Identification of the Social Media Support Team

The approximate weekly hours to be spent on managing the Account (creating content, monitoring, maintenance, etc.)

The SCC reviews the account proposal and meets with the Account Manager and Social Media Support Team to discuss the proposal and assess its alignment with the university mission.

If necessary, the SCC may consult with relevant stakeholders, such as department heads or senior management, to ensure consistency and appropriateness of the proposed account.

Upon approval of the proposal, all proposed Account Managers and Social Media Support Team members must participate in a brief training from the SCC. This training emphasizes accountability for the existence of the account and proper social media strategy.

After receiving training, the Account Managers are responsible for setting up the Social Media Account and adhering to the university branding guidelines. Faculty Account Managers also have these responsibilities.

Social Media Accounts in existence at the time of this policy ratification do not require approval by the SCC to continue operation.

II.  Account Management

Account Managers have the following responsibilities:

  1. Ensure all individuals who work in Social Media in any capacity participate in the SCC Social Media training upon hiring and annually afterwards.
  2. Participate in the BYU Social Media Committee (monthly meetings).
  3. Require all Social Media Content be reviewed and approved through a workflow process before publishing.
  4. Terminate access of other Account Managers and Social Media Support Team who are no longer employed in the area.
  5. Conduct an annual review of the area’s Social Media sites to see if they are effectively meeting their goals and objectives.
  6. Maintain a list of all active (and dormant) Accounts in area.
  7. Submit a request to the SCC when termination of a Social Media Account is desired.
  8. Notify the SCC when a new Account Manager is appointed for any account.

Faculty Account Managers who oversee accounts required by research grants or lab work have the following responsibilities:

  1. Notify the SCC when establishing a new account.
  2. If the Faculty Account Manager is utilizing a Social Media Support Team, have the members of that team participate in the SCC Social Media training upon hiring. Only the Social Media Support Team members must participate in the training, though Faculty Account Managers are encouraged to participate in the training.
  3. Require all Social Media Content be reviewed and approved before publishing.
  4. Terminate access of those who are no longer part of the Social Media Support Team, including student employees.
  5. Maintain a list of all active (and dormant) Accounts in area.
  6. Submit a request to the SCC when termination of a Social Media Account is desired.
  7. Notify the SCC if a new Faculty Account Manager is appointed for the account.

III.  University Alignment

Account Managers must attend the BYU Social Media Committee for monthly trainings. Social Media Support Teams are invited to attend as well. Account Managers are responsible for implementing information shared and direction given at these meetings and for training members of their Social Media Support Team accordingly.

The SCC provides annual training for Account Managers and Social Media Support Teams.

The SCC provides guidelines and support to all areas, to ensure that content is posted on a consistent basis and aligns with the university’s mission. The SCC will serve as a resource for Account Managers and Social Media Support Teams.