Guidelines for Specific Social Media Platforms

Departments and offices should not launch new social media accounts, including YouTube accounts.

If you feel your goal or situation might qualify for an exception, you must contact the Office of Marketing & Communications at communications@whittier.edu to discuss the matter further.

If you have been approved, these guidelines provide detailed information on account naming conventions, Whittier College logo usage, and the culture, logistics, and best practices of specific social media websites.

Facebook

Determining the Better Fit: Facebook Page vs. Facebook Group. The chart below compares the features offered by pages and by groups. Read more at Facebook.

Facebook pages and “open” groups (groups on Facebook which anyone can see or join) must follow our naming conventions and graphics guidelines. Please note that you will not be recognized as an official communication channel of the College unless you adhere to these guidelines.

“Closed” groups are not expected to follow the naming conventions and graphics guidelines below, as they are not visible to the public. These groups will not be recognized on Whittier College’s list of College-affiliated social media sites.

• Naming Conventions. “Whittier College” should appear before or after the name of your department, office, center, or athletic team. (examples: Whittier College English Department, Department of Social Work at Whittier College).
   
• Creating a Distinct URL. Creating a distinct URL for your page allows you to easily promote your entity’s presence on Facebook with a short page address. Refer to Facebook for more information about usernames. When creating a distinct URL, “WC” should appear before the name of your department office, center, or athletic team. (examples: facebook.com/WCEnglish, facebook.com/WCSocialWork).
   
• Graphics Guidelines. Customize your page or open group as much as possible, but adhere to our graphics and logo guidelines so your followers know you are affiliated with Whittier College.
   
• Cover Photo. Pick a cover photo (the larger photo at the top of your timeline, right above your profile picture) that speaks broadly about your department, office, center, or athletic team. Refer to Facebook’s for cover photo dimensions. If you need assistance with finding a photo of a specific building, landmark, or scene on campus, please contact the Office of Marketing & Communications at communications@whittier.edu. 
• Profile picture. Please refrain from creating a logo for your entity. Instead, use any of the vertical variations of the Whittier College logo and format the name of your entity below the logo (see below). Visit our logo Download Center. Also refer to Facebook for profile photo dimensions. 
           
• Building Your Profile. At minimum, please provide information pertaining to your department, office, center, or athletic team in the ‘About’ section of your profile (language can be pulled from your website). Under ‘General Information’ or similar section, please post Whittier College’s Comments and Privacy Policies. Simply copy and paste the language below.

Poet Conduct on Facebook

Comments Policy

The purpose of a Facebook page is to spread the spirit of our Poet pride. We encourage students and our community of stakeholders to post comments, photos and links.

Of course, any fan-posted user content won't necessarily reflect the opinions or ideals of Whittier College.

The goal of the Whittier College Code of Conduct is to help support an environment where there is respect for self and others within our diverse community. It applies to every facet of our College, including actions and comments made by all Poets on our Facebook page.

We encourage frank conversation and exchange of ideas, but please voice your opinions in a respectful manner. We reserve the right to remove any user content violating Facebook Terms of Use and Whittier College’s Student Conduct Policy.

Please email feedback to communications@whittier.edu.

Privacy Policy

You participate in Whittier College’s social media accounts at your own risk, taking personal responsibility for your comments, your user name, and any information provided.

Please do not post personal information such as phone numbers and addresses.

Comments advocating illegal activity or violating copyrights or trademarks are prohibited.

Comments expressed on Whittier College’s social media accounts do not reflect the opinions or position of Whittier College or its officers and employees.

Email publicrelations@whittier.edu with questions.

Twitter

• Best Practices. Avoid posting more than once an hour, outside of live-tweeting situations or event coverage. Aim to post something at least once a day. Retweet when appropriate, provided the content relates to your goals. For example, if someone says how much they love your program, retweet it. Follow back your followers, but take the time to look at each profile; you do not want to follow spammers, robots, or questionable profiles advertising casinos, clubs, or bars.
• ​​​​​​Naming Conventions. Please make sure that ‘WC_’ or ‘WC’ appears before the abbreviated name of your department, office, center, or athletic team. (examples: WC_CCA, WCPoets, WCAdmission). Please note that you will not be recognized as an official communication channel of the College unless you adhere to these naming guidelines.
• Graphics Guidelines. Customize your page as much as possible, but adhere to our graphics and logo guidelines so your followers know you are affiliated with Whittier College.
• Profile picture. Please refrain from creating a logo for your entity. Instead, use any of the vertical variations of the Whittier College logo and format the name of your entity below the logo (see below). Visit our logo Download Center.

• Background Image. A background image for your profile is not mandatory. If you would like to have a background image, pick an image that speaks broadly about your department, office, center, or athletic team. Refer to Twitter to learn how to customize your background. If you would like to use Whittier College’s signature purple for your background color, please use color code 470074. If you need assistance with finding a photo of a specific building, landmark, or scene on campus, please contact the Office of Marketing & Communications at communications@whittier.edu. 
• Building Your Profile. Provide the name of your entity (not your Twitter handle), your location (Whittier, CA), website address, and a short bio.

YouTube

Please refrain from creating a YouTube account for your department, office, center, or athletic team. Instead, submit your video for upload to Whittier College’s existing YouTube channel by emailing communications@whittier.edu.

LinkedIn

Please refrain from creating a LinkedIn account for your department, office, center, or athletic team. We invite you to use Whittier College Alumni Association’s existing LinkedIn account. Subgroups within this account can be created to meet your needs. 

Snapchat

Please refrain from creating a Snapchat account for your department, office, center, or athletic team. Instead, contact the Office of Marketing & Communications at communications@whittier.edu to inquire about promoting your event or other information through the main Whittier College account.

Instagram

Please refrain from creating an Instagram account for your department, office, center, or athletic team without first seeking Office of Marketing & Communications approval. Contact the Office of Marketing & Communications at communications@whittier.edu to inquire about promoting your event or other information through an appropriate, existing account.