April 18, 2014
Status of the regents' social media policy
Submitted by Julia Keen and Jeff Morris
The Kansas Board of Regents governance committee met Wednesday to discuss proposed revisions to the social media policy. Following a brief presentation by the co-chairs of the work team, the committee entered a public work session to discuss the policy.
During the work session, the committee accepted a recommendation to move the policy to the governance section from its current location relating to terminations and dismissals. The committee adopted the majority of the language from the recommendation, including stating for the public record its support for the concepts of academic freedom and freedom of expression. The new policy will include an affirmation on academic freedom taken directly from the American Association of University Professors.
During deliberations, the committee decided to retain language from the current policy regarding discipline and references to existing case law. Kansas Board of Regents staff members were charged with reviewing legal citations and suggesting language to clarify the section. Once these changes and others are made, the board will post the revised policy for comment.
We will post the policy and inform the university community where to provide feedback. Thank you to all who have participated in this process.
Julie Keen
Faculty Senate president
Jeff Morris
V.P. for Communications and Marketing