Mass Email and Social Media Policy: External Tragedies or Concerns
The University of Missouri-Kansas City and UM System universities will only on rare occasions send leadership mass emails and social media messages about external tragedies in the nation and world. Those rare occasions will include external tragedies that have become dominant challenges in the daily lives of our communities.
Why don’t university leaders send emails every time tragedies or concerns occur in the world?
- Tragedies or concerns that affect individuals or groups occur with great frequency. A practice of emailing after every tragedy is not practical. Selecting some tragedies and not others is exclusionary and lacks consistency.
- Mass email is a poor vehicle for processing complex and painful topics and university stakeholders have different perspectives about how tragedies and impacts to people should be described. A one-size-fits all message provides one-way communication to thousands of individuals and is a poor replacement for other modes of communication that allow for better engagement for understanding, empathy and support for those impacted.
- Mass emails about external tragedies and concerns can be seen as lacking action or sincerity.
- Frequent messages about tragedies around the world can heighten fears or mental stress.
How will rare messages be sent and by whom?
If an external tragedy does not have a particular direct connection to a university in the UM System and a decision is made to send a rare mass email, a joint email or social media message from UM System leaders will be sent. For tragic events or concerns that occur on individual campuses, each university will determine whether mass email is a suitable communications method, or if other options should be considered.
Other ways to support our community.
University leaders at all levels and members of the campus community can help address a great variety of concerns and pain felt by members of our community in more personal ways. Options after tragic and disturbing events include the following:
- Listening sessions for those struggling with grief, pain or in need of support.
- Events that unpack external tragedies, such as panel discussions, information sessions, or opportunities to hear points of view or historical context.
- Vigils or events that allow those affected by a tragedy to share support and be heard.
- Information sessions or training about resources available to our community, as well as ways to report incidents of discrimination, bias or violations of our values, codes of conduct or the law.
- Ensuring mental health resources are available and known.
- Reaching out personally to those affected by a tragedy or event to check on their well-being.