Position on the use of social media

Social media is an increasingly prevalent and powerful means of communication. The University encourages social media use by its staff and students and seeks to engage through it with the broader University community. Because social media blurs the lines between people's personal and professional expression, staff and students must think carefully about their online conduct, so as to preserve and protect individual reputations and the reputation of the University of Adelaide as an institution.

While social media creates new tools, the same laws, policies, professional expectations, and guidelines for interacting within and outside the University community apply online. The University community remains responsible for the same things, and needs to follow the same behavioural standards, including the staff Code of Conduct and student policies.

Students breaching these expectations through social media use will face the same consequences under the Rules for Student Conduct (including potential disciplinary action such as censure, temporary suspension and preclusion from current courses of study); and staff will face the same consequences under the University's Enterprise Agreement.

Staff and students are also entitled to enjoy the same protections and rights online as in the off-line world, such as academic freedom and general freedom of expression. If it would normally be acceptable to express an opinion about something off-line, it is equally acceptable online. However, it is important to remember that the permanence, visibility and connectivity of social media sites can result in communications having a far wider and more permanent audience and impact than in the off-line world, making it even more important to act and express thoughts and opinions rationally, respectfully and appropriately.

While the University will moderate its own official social media sites, the University will not monitor or sanitise (censor or alter) content posted externally by its staff or students at large, absent reasonable complaints and evidence, or alleged breaches of law or University policy. Ultimately, all staff and students are responsible for their own conduct - but where staff or students use any devices, services or technology provided by the University, or specifically relating to University personnel or activities, all content will be open to scrutiny, moderation and consequences.

Guidelines for appropriate use of social media in the University context are available as best practice standards.