CorpComms Magazine

University and College Union Scotland has warned that professors who attempt to contact their students via social networking sites are currently at risk of disciplinary action owing to a lack of official guidelines.

The caution comes after a Scottish academic became embroiled in disciplinary proceedings for contacting a student through Facebook. UCU Scotland has defended the lecturer and accused the university, which has not yet been named, of 'double standards' for having a Facebook page of its own.

With increasing use of personal networking sites by staff and students, Mary Senior, Scottish official for UCU Scotland, has asked for a clarification from academic institutions of what constitutes appropriate online behaviour.

She says: 'We recognise Facebook and social networking can be great campaigning and communication tools - UCU has a profile. But staff need to know the boundaries and need to be supported and protected. Employers should work with trade unions to develop appropriate policies on Facebook use, which work in their institutions.'

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