Policy: Mass Texting

1. PURPOSE

This document establishes College policy and guidelines for the proper use of text-based communications between the College and any recipients of texts.

2. APPLICATION

It is the responsibility of any person using Massasoit Resources to read, understand, and follow this policy. In addition, users are expected to exercise reasonable judgment in interpreting this policy and in making decisions about the use of texts. Mass texting includes text messages sent from a college-owned device, account, or office; text messages sent through third-party services on behalf of any unit of the College; and text messages from any authorized College employee or agent acting in their official capacity.

Failure to adhere to this policy may result in disciplinary action and may open Massasoit to significant financial and legal risks (FCC fines can be up to $18,936 per unsolicited text). See references for more information.

3. MESSAGING GUIDELINES

A. General Guidance

Texting is reserved for information which is considered critical and/or time sensitive. The following are the categories of mass text messages permitted under this policy:

  • Crisis and/or emergency, or significant disruptions to college operations, including activities which pose a threat to public safety, as determined by the Vice-President of Administrative Services or his/her designee
  • Information critical to student academic success (currently limited to): critical academic calendar dates, important enrollment dates, course-related texts from instructors, and academic advising notifications
  • Other critical messages as determined by the President, Provost, or their designee

What does "closely related to the school’s mission” mean?

Answer: The FCC interprets “closely related to the school’s mission” narrowly.  It is a fact-specific determination.  Texts relating to Massasoit's mission may consist of messages regarding admissions, events, advising, Massasoit systems, classroom or other reminders or information. While this is not an exhaustive list, a Massasoit stakeholder who opts into texting could receive communication via text message regarding matters of health and safety, academic success and others. If in doubt, contact the Office of Communications for guidance.

  • Text messages should not be used for:
    • General information to large populations
    • Repeat reminders of text messages already circulated
    • Personal matters (e.g. items for sale)
    • Solicitation
    • Personal or confidential information, including, but not limited to social security numbers, passwords, financial information, or grades.

B. Sender Identification

It must be clear from the content of the message being sent that the message is from Massasoit so that the recipients can see immediately from where it originated, e.g., “MCC Alert” or “MCC ACT Center.”

C. Consent

  1. Emergency Communications
    1. In Emergency Situations, Massasoit may lawfully send automated texts to wireless phone numbers without consent.
    2. Massasoit Campus Police may automatically enroll students and employees in the emergency notification service, which may include text messages solely for use in Emergency Situations.
    3. Massasoit non-emergency text messages must, at a minimum, comply with the following:
    • Be only sent to those individuals who have opted-in.
    • Comply with applicable laws and regulations to reduce institutional risk.
    • Follow best practices outlined by professional organizations.
    • Meet parameters set forth by the Office of Communications.
    • Meet department parameters for procedures and practices to support the text messaging communication efforts.
    • Allow subscribers to opt-out of receiving non-emergency messages at any time; and
    • Communicate that standard data and text messaging rates may apply
  2. Implementation/Communication
    1. Each unit that uses text communications must disseminate this Policy and the procedures/parameters set forth by the Office of Communications to its staff who will be sending text messages. 
    2. Each unit must also develop its own procedures and guidelines for implementation.
    3. At a minimum, those procedures and guidelines must accomplish the following:
    • Identify a system administrator.
    • Identify a publisher or publishers. Ideally, these will be communications professionals.
    • Work with the Office of Communications to create an annual plan that details the purpose, content, frequency, and audiences of text messages.
    • Receive approval; and
    • Execute the plan.
    • System Administrators are responsible for configuring their platforms to comply with this Policy.
    • System Administrators must maintain an up-to-date list of those individuals who have opted out of receiving non-emergency text messages.
    • System Administrators must develop a method for saving text messages and responses as necessary to comply with applicable document retention requirements.

4. ENFORCEMENT

The College reserves the right to monitor and/or inspect any use of Massasoit Resources by any User at any time without prior notice, as deemed necessary to protect the interests of the College to the fullest extent such is not prohibited by applicable law.

All users have the responsibility to report any discovered unauthorized access attempts or other improper usage of Massasoit Resources. If you observe, or have reported to you, a security or abuse problem with any Massasoit Resources, including violations of this policy, please notify the Help Desk at x1139 immediately.

All alleged breaches of this Policy will be referred to and reviewed by the appropriate Student/Staff oversight department. College officials will review alleged violations of acceptable use policies on a case-by-case basis. Violations of this Policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal or expulsion, as well as civil and criminal liability, and/or a violation of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, Massachusetts Wiretap and/or Privacy Laws, defamation, copyright and/or trademark infringement laws and state or federal sexual harassment or discrimination laws. The College also reserves the right to deny access to Massasoit Resources to any User who breaches this or any other College Policy.

5. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & QUESTIONS

Reference: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-16-88A1.pdf

FCC Library: https://www.fcc.gov/general/telemarketing-and-robocalls 

If you have any questions regarding this policy, please contact any current member of the College Technology Committee.

If you have any technical questions or need assistance from Information Technology Services, including information security training, please contact the Help Desk using one of these methods:

  • Submit a ticket.
  • Search our Knowledge Base
  • Phone: 508-588-9100 x1139
  • Email: helpdesk@massasoit.mass.edu
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