Leicester College Student Union Social Media Usage Policy

1. Introduction

   • 1.1. The Social Media Usage Policy outlines expectations and guidelines for appropriate online use and behaviour on social media platforms. This policy aims to promote a safe, respectful, and positive online environment, while also protecting the reputation of students, the college, and other stakeholders.

2. Scope and Applicability

   • 2.1. This policy applies to all students involved with Student Union at Leicester College using social media academic purposes. It also covers all social media activity related to any personal accounts where members are publicly affiliated with the SU and Leicester College. It includes but is not limited to, platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, and other digital or online spaces where individuals can post, share, or comment on content.

3. General Guidelines

   • 3.1. Students are expected to adhere to the following guidelines when using social media:

     • Respectful and Inclusive Communication

     • Maintain respectful behaviour when communicating with others online, even in situations of disagreement.

     • Avoid discriminatory language, hate speech, or cyberbullying based on race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristic. Language used should be inclusive, language changes over time, if you are unsure of any terminology please speak to a member of the Student Enrichment Team.

     • Be mindful of sharing or promoting content that could harm others or the College's reputation.

   • 3.2. Refer to the IT Acceptable Use Policy for further guidance.

4. Academic Integrity

   • 4.1. Do not share or promote content that would violate academic integrity, such as cheating, plagiarism, or disclosing unauthorised course materials.

   • 4.2. Respect the confidentiality of academic work and personal information about other students, staff or stakeholders.

5. Privacy and Security

   • 5.1. Students should refrain from posting personally identifiable information (PII) such as home addresses, phone numbers, and passwords.

   • 5.2. Respect the privacy of others by obtaining consent before sharing images, videos, or any personal content.

   • 5.3. Be cautious about the security of accounts and take necessary precautions, such as enabling two-factor authentication.

   • 5.4. Do not post, images, videos, or personal information about others without their explicit consent.

6. Responsible Sharing

   • 6.1. Ensure that all content shared is appropriate, factual, and aligns with the values of the College.

   • 6.2. Do not share or engage with material that may be considered offensive, inappropriate, or illegal.

   • 6.3. Always attribute content to its original source, especially when sharing academic or copyrighted materials.

7. Professionalism

   • 7.1. Students are encouraged to maintain a professional presence on social media, particularly for platforms used for academic or career networking (e.g., LinkedIn).

   • 7.2. Consider the long-term impact of online activity on future academic, personal, and professional opportunities. 8

8. Use of Official Social Media Accounts

   • 8.1. Students should not claim to represent the College or its official views unless authorised to do so.

   • 8.2. Be clear in distinguishing personal views from official statements made by the College.

   • 8.3. Official SU Accounts: Only authorised individuals may post on the official Leicester College SU social media accounts. Individuals will be approved via the SU Executive.

   • 8.4. Personal Accounts: When using personal social media accounts, SU members should make it clear when they are expressing personal opinions and not representing the views of Leicester College or the Student Union, when appropriate.

   • 8.5. Passwords: Passwords will be held centrally by the Student Enrichment and the Marketing. Access to social media Access will be removed when individuals leave or are asked to leave the Student Union.

9. Negative or Harmful Content

   • 9.1. If students share content that negatively affects others or the College’s reputation, they may be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the College’s Student/Apprentice Behaviour and Conduct Policy and Procedures.

   • 9.2. Engage with criticism constructively, and refrain from using social media to escalate conflicts.

10. Reporting and Accountability

    • 10.1. Students should report any inappropriate, harmful, or illegal behaviour they encounter online to the Safeguarding Team, including if this is from another student or Student Union Member.

    • 10.2.I f a student is affected by any content, they have seen online they should contact the Safeguarding Team.

    • 10.3. The College reserves the right to investigate and take appropriate action regarding students’ social media activity that violates this policy.

    • 10.4.Refer to the Student/Apprentice Behaviour and Conduct Policy and Procedures for an outline of this process.

11. Content Creation and Copyright

    • 11.1. When posting original work, students retain the copyright to their content but must ensure that their posts do not infringe on the intellectual property rights of others.

    • 11.2. Students should respect copyright and intellectual property laws, including providing proper attribution and obtaining permission when necessary for sharing third-party materials.

    • 11.3. Do not use Leicester College and SU logos, images or branding without permission, particularly in ways that imply endorsement by the SU for personal opinions or commercial purposes.

12. Disciplinary Action

    • 12.1.Students who fail to comply with this policy may face disciplinary action as outlined in the Student/Apprentice Behaviour and Conduct Policy and Procedures.

13. Conclusion

    • 13.1.By adhering to these guidelines, students help maintain a positive and respectful online environment, support the College's reputation, and foster healthy and responsible social media usage. This policy is subject to periodic review and updates as necessary to address new challenges in digital communication.

14. Acknowledgment

    • 14.1.By using social media platforms, students acknowledge that they have read and understood this policy and agree to comply with its provisions.

15. Communication and Review

    • 15.1.This policy will be reviewed every two years and shared with the Student Union members when they are appointed, Student Enrichment Team and Safeguarding Team.

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