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Social Media Comment Policy

Scope and Adoption

This comment policy pertains to the main social media accounts for the University of Illinois System managed by the Office of External Relations and Communications, and all social media accounts maintained by U of I System Offices.

U of I System Office accounts are encouraged to adopt and follow the below Social Media Comment Policy for their accounts.

When a unit wishes to use a modified version of the system Social Media Comment Policy on their social media platforms, the unit must publish their comment policy in a publicly accessible place, preferably directly on the social media platform itself. As comments on university social media accounts raise a number of issues, including free speech, harassment and copyright, it is recommended that any comment policies that differ significantly from the system Social Media Comment Policy be reviewed by appropriate university offices including, but not limited to, the Office of External Relations and Communicationss and the Office of University Counsel.

Comment Policy, & Procedures

Comments, links, photos and videos are welcome on all U of I System social media platforms. All posts or comments should be relevant to the U of I System community.

Comments or posts made by outside users to these accounts can be removed for any of the following reasons, at any time, if they: 

  • use obscene, threatening, harassing, offensive, or factually inaccurate language or images; 
  • disclose information that is confidential by law or regulation; 
  • promote or advocate illegal activity; 
  • violate copyrights or trademarks; 
  • are commercial advertising, unsolicited self-promotion, SPAM, or solicitations; or 
  • endorse or oppose anyone campaigning for election to a political office. 
  • violate the social media platform's policies

User comments or user posts do not represent the opinions of the University of Illinois System.

The U of I System and units adopting this policy reserve the right to respond to comments that do not violate this policy.

All users, including page administrators, are subject to the terms of service of each social media site and this policy.