American University of Beirut

​AUB supports and encourages freedom of expression and strives to be an open platform for the pursuit of knowledge. As such, AUB operates and/or sponsors several digital platforms including websites, social media accounts, blogs and mobile applications. These platforms may be operated by AUB directly or by members of the AUB community. In both cases, AUB is committed to preserve the image and reputation of the University and to promote truthful, up-to-date, useful, accessible and attractive information. The purpose of the present requirements is to provide a level of coherence and consistency in the management of these platforms and to ensure compliance with institutional policies. Only organizations duly affiliated with AUB are allowed to publish and advertise on AUB platforms.  

Any content published on an AUB and AUBMC digital​ platform shall fulfill the below requirements: 

1. AUB values its identity and image and sets style and visual identity standards. As such, any use of the university marks, symbols, and logos should be in accordance with AUB style guidelines and visual identity guidelines.
   
2. AUB digital platforms must include the global AUB/AUBMC header and footer as set by the Office of Communications to ensure that AUB/AUBMC name, logo and trademark is properly used.
3. AUB is deeply committed to ethical standards consistent with its founding values and ongoing mission. AUB acknowledges the crucial importance of freedom of thought and expression to the pursuit of excellence in education, research, and service, and also recognizes that fruitful dialogue requires adherence to certain principles, which it identifies, explicitly and implicitly, as equity, diversity, civility, and integrity. Content must be in line with AUB’ Principles of Ethical Conduct​ and must promote respect.
4. AUB values diversity and respect for others; as such, content that is perceived as offensive by its intended audience or that promotes hatred, intolerance, discrimination, violence or that targets or disparages any ethnic, racial, religious, or gender group or that advocates illegal activities is prohibited. Content that violates AUB's Non-Discrimination and Anti-Discriminatory Harassment Policy is also prohibited. Defamatory, obscene, threatening, harassing, pornographic, or libelous content is prohibited. Content that is perceived as unauthorized solicitations; or that violates any applicable local, state, or federal law, or university policies and procedures or that is not in line with AUB's mission is prohibited.
   
5. Content must not violate intellectual property rights. As such, the authorized publisher must make sure that the use of the content—including but not limited to an article, research, event, image, video, audio, music,​ trade name, trademark, or logo—is licensed to AUB.​
6. The disclosure of any regulated, restricted, or otherwise non- public information on an AUB digital platform is prohibited. Content must not violate any confidentiality provision pertaining to working at AUB and shall not violate privileged information, confidentiality obligations and professional codes of ethics. AUB employees must maintain student and patient confidentiality and privacy in compliance with applicable rules and regulations and the Data Classification Policy.
   
7. Content must not violate the privacy rights of any individual and should be compliant with applicable data privacy regulations including the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
8. Content must not contain or install any viruses, worms, malware, Trojan horses, spam, junk mail, or other harmful or destructive content.
9. Content must not be spam, machine- or randomly-generated, and should not contain unethical or unwanted commercial content designed to drive traffic to third party sites or boost the search engine rankings of third-party sites, or to further unlawful acts (such as phishing) or mislead recipients as to the source of the material (such as spoofing).
10. Content must not promote personal financial activity, commercial activity, for-profit organizations, political or religious groups or personal interests of individuals or entities other than AUB.
11. If an AUB digital platform links to an external organization, the university is not responsible for the content of that page. Linking to external content does not represent an endorsement of that content by the university and as such a disclaimer should be addressing this point should be included.
12. Content must not promote any individual, entity, or country that is sanctioned by either the United States of America or Lebanon; as such, any individual or entity referred to in the content should be cleared (by the content provider) on the Specially Designated National list (SDN list) of the US Department of Treasury.
13. Content must be up-to-date and accurate, describing true events and true information, at least to the best of the knowledge of the content provider.
14. All university websites must include a link to AUB Priva​cy Notice. The privacy policy link must appear within the global footer.
15. Content publishers are responsible for ensuring that their content appearing on AUB digital platforms is compliant with the requirements set forth herein.  Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the removal or disabling of the content in question.
16. ​Content published by members of the AUB community that express the personal views of the author(s)—whether on a platform maintained by AUB or on a platform in which they identify as members of the AUB community—must contain a disclaimer stating that the content generated on such platforms does not reflect the opinions or views of the university, its trustees, officers, or employees. In addition, AUB will not be liable for the accuracy, content, completeness, legality or reliability of such content. ​
    
17. The university reserves the right to delete, at its own discretion, content that is not in line with these requirements. 

Recommendations for AUB/AUBMC faculty/staff on managing personal social media account(s): 

• If AUB/AUBMC faculty/staff identify themselves as members of AUB/AUBMC's faculty or staff in any social media forum, they must make it clear that they do not speak for AUB/AUBMC and must contain a disclaimer stating that the content generated on such platforms does not reflect the opinions or views of the university, its trustees, officers, or employees. In addition, AUB/AUBMC will not be liable for the accuracy, content, completeness, legality or reliability of such content.
• AUB/AUBMC faculty/staff must not share confidential or proprietary documents, data or other materials from AUB/AUBMC on your personal social media accounts.
• AUB/AUBMC faculty/staff must maintain student and patient confidentiality and privacy in compliance with applicable rules and regulations.
• Unless approved by the Office of Communications, AUB/AUBMC faculty/staff personal social media name, profile images, handle, or URL should not include AUB's name or logo. However, this is not applicable on social media platforms where the name of the university appears in the experience or job sections (CV) of professional profiles. 

Updated: March 22, 2024​
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