Social Media Community Standards

Community Standards

Thank you for engaging with Montclair State University on social media. Our digital communities reflect the spirit and values of the University while fostering a sense of belonging for our Red Hawk community. We are committed to maintaining a respectful, safe and welcoming online environment for all.

These Community Standards apply to Montclair’s official social media channels including Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Threads and YouTube, and are overseen by University Communications and Marketing. 

What to Expect from Montclair State University Social Media

Our social media pages are designed to:

  • Share timely news, events and achievements
  • Showcase campus culture, academics and University traditions
  • Offer valuable resources and updates to students, families, alumni and the public.
  • Encourage meaningful and respectful dialogue

We encourage interaction, questions and comments, but we expect all users to engage in ways that are courteous, constructive and aligned with the University’s mission and values.

How We Moderate

Our accounts are regularly monitored by social media administrators during normal business hours. While we strive to encourage open conversation, we reserve the right to remove or report content that violates these Community Standards at any time.

In cases of repeated or severe violations, we may:

  • Report the user to the social media platform
  • Restrict access to our pages
  • Block the account entirely
  • Report the conduct to University Police 
  • Report the conduct to the Office of Student Development and Campus Life and the Dean of Students Office

Content and Behavior That May Be Removed or Reported

To help maintain productive and respectful online spaces, University moderators reserve the right to remove, hide or report prohibited content and to block or restrict users who violate these Community Standards or a platform's terms of use.

Examples of prohibited content include, but are not limited to:

Harassment or Bullying

  • Threatening, abusive or aggressive language directed at individuals or groups.
  • Targeted harassment or personal attacks

Discrimination or Hate Speech

  • Comments or imagery that incite violence, promote hatred or discriminate based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability or other protected characteristics

Sexually Explicit or Vulgar Content

  • Profanity, sexually explicit or suggestive content, or obscene language

Promotion of Illegal Activities

  • Content that encourages or endorses drug use, vandalism violence or other unlawful behavior

Misinformation or Defamation

  • Knowingly spreading false, misleading or defamatory claims about the University, members of its community or others

Privacy Violations

  • Posting another person’s private information, including addresses, phone numbers or academic records

Spam, Promotions, or Unsolicited Advertising

  • Repeated posts, sales pitches or promotions of non-University products or services without prior written approval from University Communications and Marketing

Off-Topic or Disruptive Posts

  • Comments unrelated to the original post or that derail productive conversation
  • Repetitive or irrelevant comments posted in quick succession

Misrepresentation or Impersonation

  • Using fake accounts or falsely claiming affiliation with Montclair State University

Improper Use of University Logos

  • Any use of official University logos, wordmarks, mascots or other trademarked assets deemed in violation of Montclair’s Policy on Institutional Identity and Use of Name and Marks

Violation of Montclair’s Student Code of Conduct 

  • Any content or conduct deemed in violation of Montclair’s Student Code of Conduct

Additional Channel-Specific Community Standards

Each social media platform maintains its own Community Standards and Terms of Use. Users are expected to comply with both the University's Community Standards and the policies of the platform on which they are engaging.