The University of Southern Maine (USM) supports and encourages free speech, freedom of expression, and freedom of assembly. When accessing or engaging with USM social media platforms, including comment sections, members of the public are expected to remain on topic and communicate respectfully and thoughtfully with others.

USM reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to monitor and manage content posted on public social media platforms associated with the University, including but not limited to Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and other platforms. USM may defer to the terms and user policies of these platforms but is not required to do so.

USM holds its faculty, students, and staff to the standards outlined in the University of Maine System Student Code of Conduct, applicable Employee Handbooks, the Acceptable Use Policy, and other relevant University of Maine System and USM policies.

Prohibited content

Comments posted by followers do not represent the opinions of the University of Southern Maine. USM will not permit, and may remove at its discretion, public postings and comments on USM-affiliated social media platforms that:

  • Constitute unlawful discrimination, harassment, or hate speech.
  • Threaten or incite harm to individuals or groups, or encourage imminent unlawful action.
  • Are defamatory, obscene, or otherwise unlawful under federal, state, or local law.
  • Infringe upon copyrights, trademarks, proprietary, or confidential information.
  • Claim or imply that the individual is speaking on behalf of USM without prior authorization.
  • Contain advertisements, commercial promotions, financial solicitations, SPAM, or other solicitations (except for approved University-sponsored fundraising efforts).
  • Include repetitive or duplicate posts, personal attacks, offensive language, or illegal suggestions.
  • Violate University of Maine System policy, USM policy, or the social media platform’s Terms of Use.
  • Account names, handles, and descriptions may not impersonate the University or imply official representation, including language suggesting the account is the “real,” “main,” or “official” University account. The University reserves the right to report, flag, or request removal of accounts, content or other that do not adhere to these guidelines or that could create confusion, misrepresentation, and/or unfair detriment to the University’s brand, reputation, or community trust.

Enforcement

USM may remove content or block users who violate these guidelines. Individuals who do not comply may be banned from USM social media platforms and, where appropriate, referred to the relevant governing body for disciplinary or legal action.

USM does not post advertisements, promotional material, or information for non-university events on its official social media channels. Anyone interacting with official University of Southern Maine social media accounts is required to follow these guidelines.