Presentation by: Erin Flaherty & Kristen Huffman The University of Toledo

February 2012

Committee Objectives Effective & Innovative Ways Social

Media Can Be Used The Need for MC to Enter Social Media Preparing Our Students to Enter the

Global Marketplace Educating Students About Social Media Home Base Electronic Civility Pledge Theory & Practice at Middle College

Creation of a “Home Base” for MC social media presence

Creation of online reputation management education objectives

Provide and promote educational resources to students on web interface

Design and implement training programs

Creative programming

Can be used as recruitment and retention tools

Pressure for students to “remain relevant” Development of innovative programming Professional opportunities for students

LinkedIn, online portfolios, etc. Students are already using social media

Theory suggests students will benefit from university guidance and support

Business is often conducted electronically MC needs students to develop familiarity

with electronic communication FaceTime Benefits

Knowing how to conduct conferences and telecommunications via outlets such as Skype

Form and foster international relationships via social media outlets

Creation of the Office of Online Reputation Management (OORM)

Office Mission To educate, inform, and support Middle College students as

they prepare to be innovative and modern professionals well-versed in the most current technologies

Programming The office will host a President’s Transition Day for student

leaders, give presentations and counseling to student groups and individuals, and have open information sessions to educate students and the general community about online reputation management, “safe” social media, and positive online behavior. This office will also enforce infractions for violating the Electronic Civility Pledge.

Course Implementation The Office of Online Reputation Management will offer a 1-

credit course every semester on online reputation management.

The Office of Online Reputation Management (OORM) will support and update a website “Home Base” which will serve as a virtual resource for students.

The website will provide information on managing involvement in social media wisely, protecting oneself and one’s identity, and provide educational resources.

President’s Transition Day will occur every January, as newly elected student organization presidents’ assume their positions

Transition Day will focus on leadership, responsibility, conduct of student organizations, and liability

The Office of Online Reputation Management (OORM) will host a mandatory session educating organizational presidents on the possible dangers of social media

Presidents will receive the Electronic Civility Pledge for their review

Presidents will be able to schedule training sessions with OORM for their organization

Student organization presidents will all receive training on social media usage at Transition Day.

An OORM representative will train a student organization at its regularly scheduled meeting by request.

Student organizations found to be in violation of the OORM’s Electronic Civility Pledge will be required to host an OORM training.

We at Middle College (MC) want to live to our highest moral capabilities. For this reason MC has created an e-civility pledge that aims to foster the highest caliber electronic communication by our upstanding students, faculty, and staff. As a member or supporter of Middle College, I pledge to conduct myself in a way that is civil, honest, and respectful toward all people, especially with those whom I disagree. I value people of different cultures, with differentideas, and I value and cherish the democratic process. I believe in Middle College’s mission and seek to question any and all statements that sound mean, vindictive, or absurd; that provide no source or context; or that denies my fellow MC family a productive and safe environment. It is important to me to be a judicious and aware important contributor to society and a positive contributor to the Middle college community.

For the duration of my MC experience, I hereby pledge to uphold thehighest standards of truth and civility in word, thought, and deed.

Infractions will be enforced depending on severity of case. Possible repercussions for violating the pledge will include:Mandatory OORM trainingRegistering for OORM 1-credit courseCommunity ServiceVolunteering in OORM officeCoordinating a community outreach

campaign Judicial sanctionRemoval from residence halls – if student is

found to be creating a negative living environment for a peer

Three theories helped guide us in our work:

1. Perry’s Theory of Intellectual and Ethical Development

This theory explains how to understand students dynamic development over time. Perry’s nine positions help higher education administrators make meaning by understanding learner characteristics and provide proper challenge and support for MC students.

2. Developmental Ecology

Developmental Ecology focuses on individual students rather than their surrounding cultures. This theory helps higher education administrators understand our students, their experiences and their development better.

3. Campus Ecology

Campus Ecology also plays a key role in MC’s social media initiatives because it is imperative for higher education administrators to understand the impact that MC’s campus has on students. We hope to provide and foster an online campus climate that is both high-tech and relevant while also safe and considerate of others.

We at MC realize the need to have an online presence and will strive to guide our students in making the best choices online.

To facilitate these goals we recommend the implementation of: the Office of Online Reputation Management (OORM) an online Home Base preparing our students for the global marketplace by

educating students about proper use of social media social media used effectively and innovatively an e-civility pledge for all MC students, faculty and

staff guiding our future initiatives with theory and practice