While the internet has provided ’Canes fans and supporters from all over the world opportunities to communicate with each other in ways not previously possible, there are important regulations to note when it comes to communicating online with prospective student-athletes—defined as any high school-aged individual, regardless of their participation in a sport.
Message boards
The compliance office at athletics is responsible for leading and coordinating the University of Miami’s compliance efforts and acts as a resource for internal and external constituencies regarding NCAA and ACC compliance issues. Their goals include the following.
Social networking
Boosters are not permitted to use social networking websites, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, to contact or otherwise attempt to correspond with prospective student-athletes. This includes, but is not limited to, posting on a prospect’s Facebook wall, using the inbox or email feature, instant messaging, "@replies," "mentions," or direct messaging. Boosters may permissibly take actions—“like,” “favorite,” or republish—on social media that indicate approval of content that was generated by a prospect.
As electronic communication technology continues to advance, the opportunity for athletics program supporters to have impermissible contact with a prospect or a prospect's family is greatly increased, but the institution’s responsibility for that contact remains the same.
Help the University community by complying with these guidelines that govern online interactions on social media platforms as described above in an effort to maintain a culture of compliance at the University of Miami.
For questions or more information, contact UM athletics at athleticscompliance@miami.edu or 305-284-2692.
Read more compliance reminders.
