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University of New Hampshire Athletics
Name, Image & Likeness
Social Media Guidelines, Including Permissions to Use University Intellectual Property
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Members of the UNH Athletics Department are high-profile representatives of the University of New Hampshire, and so our conduct may be subject to particular scrutiny by peers, the campus community, the citizens New Hampshire, and the media. The actions of a single member of our Athletics program can reflect not only on the individual, but also on their team, the Athletics Department and the entire University. As detailed in the UNH Principles for Inter-Collegiate Athletics, members of UNH Athletics are expected to conduct themselves with dignity, honesty and personal integrity at all times – including when interacting on social media and other online environments.
Social media and other online environments can serve as valuable communication tools when used appropriately, and student-athletes may use them to promote their personal brands in order to commercialize their Name, Image & Likeness. The use of social media, however, has the potential to cause problems for both the student-athlete and the University. We have developed these guidelines in order to: (i) provide recommendations for student-athletes to help them use social media in a safe and responsible manner; and (ii) outline important rules that must be followed when using social media, particularly if the University has granted permission to use UNH intellectual property (IP) in specific social media postings. Intellectual property includes university logos, trademarks, UNH Athletics uniforms, and any images or video in which the university holds the copyright. Please bear in mind that permission to use University IP in one circumstance does not grant permission in other situations or for other purposes beyond what is provided in the permission.
Recommendations and Rules for All Social Media Use: The content of most social media sites is accessible by anyone in the general public, unless security and privacy features are used; even when such features are used, content may be shared beyond the group with whom you intend to share your posts. The public nature of social media can create personal safety concerns. For example, student-athletes have been stalked, sexually harassed, contacted by agents and gamblers, and taunted by fans of opposing teams based on social media posts. For their own security and that of their teammates and friends, UNH Athletics recommends that student-athletes 1) keep phone numbers, physical addresses, birthdates, current whereabouts, travel plans and other personal information confidential; and 2) limit access of others to e-mail addresses and screen carefully those accepted as “friends” on a social media platform. If any contact through social media makes a student-athlete concerned for their safety or uncomfortable in any way, they should contact a coach, an Athletics Department administrator or the police.
In addition to safety issues, social media use can result in reputational damage. Student-athletes should be aware that potential employers and graduate school admissions officers may screen applicants by conducting internet searches and reviewing applicants’ social media profiles. Reputational damage can also harm a student-athlete’s ability to capitalize on Name, Image & Likeness opportunities. While UNH cannot provide legal advice or other professional counsel on individual student’s NIL opportunities, we encourage students to review the university’s guide to social media use and NIL educational resources provided by UNH Athletics. As needed, student-athletes may employ (at their own expense) agents, legal and/or professional advisors to assist them with their NIL business opportunities and brand development.
Participation in intercollegiate athletics at the University of New Hampshire is a privilege and not a right, and members of UNH Athletics may not post online content that: 1. would reasonably cause serious embarrassment to themselves, their teams, the Athletics Department or the University (examples: obscene images or language, pictures at parties with alcohol, references to drugs or sex); 2. is unsportsmanlike, derogatory, demeaning or threatening toward any other individual or entity (examples: derogatory comments regarding another institution; taunting comments aimed at a student-athlete, coach or team at another institution); 3. depicts or encourages unacceptable or illegal activities (examples: hazing, sexual harassment/assault, gambling, discrimination, fighting, vandalism, academic dishonesty, underage drinking, illegal drug use); 4. violates conference or NCAA rules (examples: providing information related to sports wagering activities; soliciting impermissible benefits); 5. is non-public or proprietary to the Athletic Department or the University (examples: tentative or future team schedules, student-athlete injuries and eligibility status, travel plans/itineraries); or 6. violates UNH Student Rights, Rules and Responsibilities.
Rules Regarding Use of UNH IP on Personal Social Media. The UNH NIL Policy provides that use of UNH IP or UNH facilities in NIL activities must receive prior approval from appropriate UNH authorities. Student-athletes should be aware that posting content that includes the IP of UNH or other persons/entities without permission could constitute a copyright violation. Generally, permission to use UNH IP will be granted to allow student-athletes to post on personal social media images of themselves wearing UNH-branded uniforms or apparel and/or competing in UNH Athletic events, provided their media posts comply with these guidelines and the University IP is not used for commercialization or merchandising. Posts that include UNH IP may not be permitted where personal social media is being used for NIL endorsements.