Social Media Guidance for UNC Charlotte Faculty and Staff

At UNC Charlotte, we recognize that social media is an important way to connect, share ideas and engage in conversation. At the same time, it’s important to remember that your professional role may be visible to others, and your words can carry weight beyond your social circles. This guidance is designed to help you navigate those responsibilities thoughtfully.

Affiliation and Accountability

• Faculty and staff should carefully consider whether to include UNC Charlotte in their bios or usernames. If you choose to do so, use a disclaimer such as “Opinions are my own.” Keep in mind that even if you include a disclaimer, it may not fully shield you from association with the University.
  
• Consider setting the privacy on your social media accounts so posts are only visible to those with whom you are connected.
  
• The higher your role, the more likely it is that your words will be attributed to and associated with the University. For senior leaders, personal opinions are often interpreted as University opinions – with or without a disclaimer.

Freedom of Speech, Institutional Neutrality

• The First Amendment protects your right to free expression. It does not, however, protect against professional, reputational or social consequences.
  
• North Carolina’s Institutional Neutrality law requires the University to remain neutral on political and social controversies. If your posts are perceived as representing UNC Charlotte, even unintentionally, they may put the institution at risk.

Professional Impact

• Even on personal accounts, posts can affect your ability to do your job if they erode trust with students, colleagues or community and business partners, or disrupt or interfere with the University’s operations.
  
• Before you post, consider asking yourself: Would I be comfortable with this comment being read at a public meeting or featured in a news article?
  

Safety and Security

• Please keep in mind that, however unintentional, personal choices by faculty and staff online can have far-reaching effects for the entire University community. Our obligation is to safeguard the campus and advance the University’s mission, not to shield individuals from the fallout of their personal commentary.
  
• If personal posts create disruption, the University will remain focused on institutional needs and community safety. We will connect you with appropriate resources and, where necessary, assist with safety planning, but we cannot guarantee protection or remediation from the personal or professional consequences of what you choose to post. You are responsible for your statements and their impact.