social media

guidelines

UC Merced’s social media presence reflects the university’s values, voice, and commitment to academic excellence, diversity, and community engagement. These guidelines ensure consistency across all official UC Merced social media accounts.

guidelines

UC Merced’s social media presence reflects the university’s values, voice, and commitment to academic excellence, diversity, and community engagement. These guidelines ensure consistency across all official UC Merced social media accounts.

tone & voice

  • Professional, yet friendly and engaging
  • Inclusive and respectful
  • Clear, concise, and informative

logos & visuals

  • Use only UC Merced Logotype and program/department name in Kievit font for profile pictures
  • Maintain brand colors: Boomer Blue (#002856), Bobcat Gold (#DAA900), and White (#FFFFFF)
  • Avoid altering logos, using unauthorized fonts, or distorting images
  • Ensure high-quality images and videos that align with UC Merced’s brand identity

usernames

To maintain a consistent and recognizable presence across social media platforms, official UC Merced-affiliated accounts must include "UC Merced" or UCM in their username or handle. This ensures clear association with the university and strengthens brand identity.

Examples of Acceptable Usernames:

  • @ucmdeptname
  • @ucm_deptname
  • @ucm.deptname
  • @ucmerceddeptname
  • @ucmerced.deptname
  • @ucmerced_deptname

Examples of Unacceptable Usernames:

  • @BobcatClub (Lacks university identification)
  • @MercedResearch (Could be mistaken for an external entity)
  • @UCM123 (Does not clearly communicate affiliation)

types of content

  • University news and announcements
  • Student and faculty achievements
  • Research highlights
  • Events and community initiatives
  • Alumni success stories

post formatting

  • Keep captions clear and engaging
  • Use relevant hashtags (#UCMerced, #BobcatNation, etc.) strategically
  • Incorporate alt text for images to improve accessibility
  • Tag appropriate departments, individuals, or partners

Adhering to these social media guidelines helps UC Merced maintain a strong, professional, and engaging digital presence. For any questions or support, contact socialmedia@ucmerced.edu.

compliance & best practices

Adhering to these social media guidelines helps UC Merced maintain a strong, professional, and engaging digital presence. For any questions or support, contact socialmedia@ucmerced.edu.

compliance & best practices

accessibility

  • Use closed captions on videos
  • Ensure high-color contrast in graphics
  • Avoid excessive use of emojis or symbols that may hinder readability

privacy & confidentiality

  • Do not share personal information without consent
  • Follow FERPA and HIPPA regulations where applicable

crisis communication

  • In case of emergency communications, defer to official university channels for information
  • Avoid spreading unverified information
  • Work with UC Merced's communications team for appropriate messaging

official accounts

  • All official UC Merced-affiliated social media accounts must be registered with Public Relations
  • Use university email addresses for account creation and management
  • Ensure at least two administrators have access to each account