Social Media
Casper College’s social media channels represent the college publicly and directly influence how current and prospective students, families, partners, and the community perceive Casper College. These standards help ensure that social media communications are clear, consistent, and credible, while protecting the college’s brand reputation and supporting accessibility and compliance expectations.
Strategic Communications and Marketing provides governance, training and guidance for official Casper College social media channels. We also support departments and student organizations with best practices, templates, and consultation so social media can be used effectively and responsibly.
The keys to great social media
Social media is a channel, not a separate work category. We use social media to support enrollment and student success campaigns, drive audiences to “source of truth” webpages, and strengthen brand reputation through consistent storytelling. Routine posting is focused on strategic campaigns and high-visibility communications.
Social media is a very helpful promotional tool. Casper College supports your participation in social media and encourages you to connect to the college’s official social media sites.
The goals of your social media efforts should be to connect with your intended audience(s), start conversations, extend the college’s strategic communications, and build community and relationships. It is not just a tool to broadcast or publish.
Be authentic, transparent and honest.
Your content should always be prepared with your audience in mind. Make it easy for your audience to have a good experience with what you are sharing.
What counts as “official” social media
An official Casper College social media account is any account that:
- Uses the Casper College name, logo, or branding in the profile or handle
- Represents a Casper College department, program, initiative, or student organization
- Communicates on behalf of the college to external audiences
- Uses Casper College-owned assets and/or is managed by college employees or official student leaders
Account Creation and Approval
To protect brand consistency and reduce confusion for audiences, new official accounts should be created only when there are a clear strategic need and a plan to sustain content quality.
Before creating a new official account, confirm:
- The audience and purpose cannot be served through existing Casper College channels
- A content owner is assigned (role-based, not just a person)
- A posting cadence is realistic
- A backup administrator is assigned
- Access and credentials will be managed securely
Account approval: New official accounts must be created, reviewed, and approved by Strategic Communications and Marketing before launch.
Account Ownership, Admins, and Security
All official Casper College social accounts:
- Have two administrators minimum
- Use a role-based email where possible (e.g., department@caspercollege.edu)
- Store credentials in an approved secure method and on file with Strategic Communications and Marketing.
- Maintain a current list of admins and contact info
- Transfer access promptly when staffing changes occur
Strategic Communications and Marketing may require periodic verification of administrators for security.
Brand and Content Standards (voice, tone, and quality)
Social media content should reflect Casper College’s brand: professional, welcoming, accurate, and student-centered.
Do
- Write clearly and briefly
- Use an active voice and a positive, informative tone
- Include a clear call-to-action when appropriate (register, apply, learn more)
- Link to a reliable “source of truth” page for details
- Use approved branding and templates
Don’t
- Post speculative, unverified, or internal-only information
- Post content that could be interpreted as an official policy statement without approval
- Use altered logos, unofficial graphics, or low-quality imagery
- Engage in arguments or emotional back-and-forth in comments
- Post confidential or private information (see privacy section below)
Accessibility Standards
Casper College is committed to accessible communications. For social media, minimum expectations include:
- Add alt text for meaningful images when the platform allows
- Caption videos or provide captions within the platform
- Avoid text-heavy images as the only way to convey key information
- Use sufficient color contrast and readable font sizes in graphics
- Use CamelCase for multi-word hashtags when possible (e.g., #CasperCollege)
Accessibility basics: [Link to accessibility page]
Need help? Strategic Communications and Marketing can provide guidance.
Photo/video Permissions and Privacy
Official Casper College accounts must protect privacy and follow applicable policies.
Do not post:
- Student records or personally identifiable academic/financial information
- Private contact details
- Photos/videos of individuals where permissions are required but not obtained
- Content that could place an individual at risk or violate expectations of privacy
Use of images/video
- Use approved Casper College images when possible
- Ensure usage rights are clear meaning in writing
- Use release forms where required
- For example, a video may need release forms from the individuals in the video and commercial rights for all music.
Student Organizations and Club Accounts
Student organizations may maintain social media accounts, but they must:
- Be affiliated with a recognized Casper College organization
- Identify an advisor or Student Life contact for escalation and continuity
- Follow Casper College brand and conduct expectations for public-facing communications
- Avoid representing opinions as official Casper College positions
Comment Moderation and Community Management
Casper College social spaces should be respectful, safe, and aligned with the college’s mission.
Moderation principles
- Remove or hide content that includes hate speech, harassment, threats, spam, or explicit material
- Do not disclose private information in public threads
- Do not argue. Acknowledge and route to the appropriate channel.
When to escalate to Strategic Communications and Marketing
Notify us immediately if you see:
- Threats, harassment, or safety concerns
- Viral or rapidly escalating negative comments
- Media inquiries or requests for official statements
- Claims that could create reputational or legal risk
- Sensitive incidents involving students/employees/programs
- Misinformation about Casper College that is spreading
Escalation contact: pr@caspercollege.edu
Media Inquiries and Official Statements
If you receive a media inquiry through social media:
- Do not provide an official statement in comments or DMs
- Forward the inquiry to Strategic Communications and Marketing
- Acknowledge politely if needed: “Thanks for reaching out. Please contact Strategic Communications and Marketing at pr@caspercollege.edu for assistance.”
Escalation contact: pr@caspercollege.edu
Crisis/Issues Communications: What To Do
If an issue emerges (incident, rumor, controversy, safety concern):
- Pause scheduled posts if necessary
- Do not speculate or share unconfirmed information
- Capture screenshots/links for context
- Escalate to Strategic Communications and Marketing immediately
- Follow guidance for coordinated messaging and approvals
Escalation contact: pr@caspercollege.edu
Posting Cadence and Content Expectations
Accounts should have a realistic plan to maintain quality.
- Post only when you have meaningful, audience-relevant content
- Maintain a predictable cadence
- Avoid long gaps that make the account appear abandoned
- Any accounts showing inactivity for 6 months will be deactivated
If an account cannot be maintained responsibly, Strategic Communications and Marketing may recommend consolidation into a primary college channel or deactivation.
Paid Social and Boosting Posts
Paid promotion should be coordinated to ensure:
- Correct targeting and budget use
- Proper tracking and landing page readiness
- Consistent messaging and brand quality
Request paid social support via the Project Center
Required Elements for Event Promotion on Social
For event posts, include:
- Event name, date/time, location
- Clear CTA (register/RSVP/learn more)
- Link to the event web page (source of truth)
- Contact info or “learn more” link
- Accessible graphic and alt text where possible