Social media may sound like something just for teenagers, but it’s not. Social media can make an incredible impact and should be just as strategic as your other methods of communication. We’ve outlined general guidelines for the main components found in social media below. Our goal is to maintain a cohesive university brand message across all social channels, while also allowing some individuality among CU Anschutz entities.
For a list of social media handles throughout the university, visit our social media directory.
Prior to getting started on social, please click the link below to fill out the registration form.
If you’re unsure if social media is right for your school, department or unit contact the digital engagement team. We’re here to help.
Your CU Anschutz social icon should be provided by CU Anschutz Printing Services. Schools/College/Departments/Programs/Centers are unable to use the University of Colorado "CU” by itself in any format on social media. The profile picture used should be consistent across all platforms as to be easily recognizable for your audience. Request your official social icon through Printing Services.
The cover photo has more flexibility than the profile picture. This photo can be switched out depending on events or marketing campaigns. Although we encourage you to personalize your cover photo, we do ask that you ensure your photo is relevant and not out of date.
Go to cuanschutz.imagerelay.com for Cover Photo downloads
For your longer page name, while it is not mandatory, many departments and units choose to use the following system: CU Anschutz + Department/Unit name. Some examples:
CU Anschutz Department of Psychiatry
CU Anschutz Health and Wellness Center
Your “About” description should include a link to your department website. The “About” section of your page should also reference the larger school or college with which your unit is associated.
CU Anschutz has hashtags that we encourage everyone to use. Using these hashtags can help increase the reach and visibility of your content.
#CUAnschutz: A general campus-wide hashtag
#CUAnschutzTogether: A campus-wide hashtag used to promote positivity, pride and the feeling of togetherness while physically apart
You must receive written consent to post pictures of patients, parts or patients, names of patient, or any likeness or a patient (e.g. name, medical record number, screenshots or EMR), even if they give you express permission.
Prior to posting anything related to a patient on social media, social administrators must follow HIPAA regulations and complete the CU Anschutz HIPAA model form. When in doubt or uncertain, always reach out to your Communication Director’s for guidance. If you do receive patient consent, be sure to remain mindful about what content you're sharing and consider your the audience. If it is more “graphic” content, consider creating a “warning” slide for Instagram.
Remain mindful. While our lives have all been greatly impacted by COVID-19, it’s important to consider what you’re posting of our students, faculty and staff. Prior to posting a current photo, ensure those are following and adhering to proper state and CDC guidelines, such as social distancing and wearing masks. If you’re posting an image of an event or gathering prior to COVID-19, ensure that is clear in the post context. We are #CUAnschutzTogether.
Please contact the Office of Communications team for any questions.
Copyright can be a tricky thing on social media. When using content from another individual be sure to credit them. It’s a small way of showing gratitude that can save you a lot of headaches later on. If you have questions on social media copyright, please contact CU Anschutz legal counsel.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tos
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/static?key=user_agreement&trk=hb_ft_userag
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/t/terms
DO | DON'T |
Have the authorization to post on your department’s behalf | Post private, restricted or sensitive information |
Follow all university policies | Post pictures of patients, parts or patients, names of patient, or any likeness or a patient (e.g. name, medical record number, screenshots or EMR), even if they give you express permission |
Protect confidential and proprietary information | Post an unprofessional comment regarding a colleague, including a student, nurse, resident, faculty, consultant, another hospital, educator, or administrator, or anything that could be taken out of context and damaging to the university’s reputation |
Respect copyright and fair use | Engage in arguments or negative dialogue when someone disagrees with your post |
Ensure the security of your social media account | Represent your personal views as those of the university |
Be transparent | Use the stand-alone logo of the university as your sole image |
Be respectful and thoughtful | Use images that are too small to easily recognize in a browser or on mobile devices |
Be consistent and timely | Design your own department logo that is not recognizable as being affiliated with the University of Colorado – Contact University Communications for assistance and approval of all marks |
Strive for accuracy | Use the university logo or any other university images or iconography on personal social media sites |
Refer to the Office of Communications website for proper social media branding and naming conventions | Post anything discussed in settings where privacy or confidentiality is expected (e.g. private meetings) |
Prominently list the university on the social media site and not only the name of the department | Discuss a situation involving named or pictured individuals on a social media. As a guideline, do not post anything that you would not present in any public forum |
Avoid punctuation such as periods and underscores when naming the account | Assume anything electronic is private: social media communications related to university business may be considered public and obtained by request under Colorado Open Records Act |
Make sure your privacy settings appropriately safeguard against inappropriate viewing and sharing | |
Be aware that your affiliation with a specific program, department or center is public knowledge whether you disclose it or not. Even personal social media posts can be inappropriately associated with the university. |