The university is all about people making meaningful connections in the world and the amazing power of social technologies on the Web makes the research, teaching and service taking place at the university even more accessible.
The following links allow you to join the Cockrell School's online conversation. Additional university social media sites can link you to other colleges, museums and administrators. To engage appropriately, the university offers these best practices guidelines.
Blogs
Cockrell School Architectural Engineering Design
Delicious
Cockrell School Public Affairs
Cockrell School Communications
UT Cockrell School of Engineering Students
Cockrell School of Engineering Explore UT
Cockrell School of Engineering Outreach Volunteers
Cooperative Engineering Education (Co-op) Program
Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics
Department of Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Advising
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering
Engineering Career Assistance Center
Equal Opportunity in Engineering Program
Friends of Alec, patron saint of engineers
Materials Science and Engineering Graduate Program
Flickr
Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics
Equal Opportunity in Engineering Program
Friends of Alec, patron saint of engineers
Webber Energy Group: Energy, Technology and Policy
YouTube
Cockrell School of Engineering
Webber Energy Group: Energy, Technology and Policy
Guiding Principles for Engaging with Social Media
The University of Texas at Austin’s Office of Public Affairs wants to help all university staff, faculty, students, as well as our Web visitors, engage in social media, blogs, social networks and the online community. The Office of Public Affairs offers these best practices guidelines for engaging in social media.
Respect and Ethics
At The University of Texas at Austin we encourage different viewpoints and opinions, and as a participant in social media, you should, too. Be respectful of others’ viewpoints. If you disagree and would like to engage in a conversation, do so cordially, logically and ethically. As always, the university’s code of ethics applies, even in the realm of social media and online networks. Keep in mind that there is no such thing as a “private” social media Web site. What you write from your home computer may follow you to school or work.
Accuracy and Honesty
Write about your areas of expertise, research or study at The University of Texas at Austin. If you are writing about a topic related to the university, or research conducted at the university, but you are not the in-house expert on the topic, make this clear to your readers and check the facts before you post. If there is a Web site you used to gather facts, provide the link for your readers to show accountability. Also, always write in the first person. Your unique voice contributes to the overall message of the university. If you make a mistake, admit it. Your followers will be more willing to forgive and forget if you are up front and quick with your correction. Maintain a high level of quality that exhibits superior grammar, punctuation and spelling.
Value and Interest
When posting to your blog, Twitter or Facebook, ask yourself if your content adds value and interest to the discussion. Make sure your comment, post or tweet is a valued piece of information. If your insight helps people improve knowledge or skills, discover something interesting, solve problems, or better understand The University of Texas at Austin, more than likely you are adding value. There are millions of people, companies and universities on the Web. If you want to stand above the clutter, make sure you provide content that is exciting, engaging and stimulating.
Personality
In the social media realm, you are encouraged to use your own voice and bring your personality to the forefront. The Web is a venue that is relaxed, open and diverse–embrace it. A voice that is over-institutionalized and rehearsed can repel your audience. Make sure your site is not a place for self-promotion. Some social media sites, such as Twitter, close down such sites.
Transparency and Disclosure
When communicating using social media or blogs–Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, LinkedIn, Blogger, WordPress, or others–on behalf of The University of Texas at Austin, or in your role as a university staff or faculty member, make sure you clearly identify yourself and your affiliation with the university. Being open about your ties to the university will illustrate credibility and transparency. Make sure you have a formal disclosure that identifies your comments as your unique viewpoints. For instance: “The posts on this site are my own and don’t necessarily represent The University of Texas at Austin’s academic goals or opinions.” When writing for personal blogs or social networking sites, make sure you disclose your affiliation with the university if you discuss university-related topics. This will enhance credibility with your readers.
