Expectations for Students

What is Online Etiquette?

As a student, you’ll use multiple online and digital communication technologies throughout your studies, such as email, discussion boards, Microsoft Teams, and Blackboard Collaborate, etc. It’s important to remember that the same expectations for how you conduct yourself as a member of the University community apply to both physical and digital spaces, even outside the virtual classroom.

As a starting point for online engagement, consider the following:

• Treat all participants with dignity and respect. Support your fellow students as you want to be supported, even if your opinions differ.
• Be polite, professional and inclusive. Address people as they wish to be addressed.
• Use clear and concise language. Be respectful of each other’s time and attention.
• Check your spelling and grammar but don’t chastise anyone for their mistakes. Remember that your fellow students might be anywhere in the world and English is not everyone’s first language.
• Use standard fonts optimised for online reading (sans serif, 12-14 pt. font).
• Avoid typing in capitals as this may be interpreted as shouting.
• Be careful with humour and sarcasm – not everything is clear when conveyed through text so it’s important to minimise chances for misinterpretation.
• Be mindful of sharing personal information online – both yours and others’.

Explore the following resources for more information on netiquette for your online studies:

• The Digital Student: Netiquette (University of Hull)

• Online Communication (Oxford Brookes University)

• Checklist: Being an effective online learner (Enhancement Themes)

Explore the Digital Citizenship Guide

For more information on how to be a digital citizen and the responsible use of technology, please refer to our Digital Citizenship Guide, linked below. This guide, available in Microsoft Word and PDF, includes further information on the following:

• Why is digital citizenship important?
• Understanding misconduct
• Online etiquette and expectations for students
• Useful resources for further education

Digital Citizenship Guide (PDF)

What is Online Misconduct?

The University has a zero-tolerance stance towards any form of harassment or bullying, including online misconduct. Examples of online harassment include but are not limited to:

• Offensive language, racism and hate speech
• Sexual harassment, including sexualised bullying and unwanted sexualisation
• Intimate image abuse or revenge porn
• Doxing – the publishing of someone's personal details online, often as a result of online shaming campaigns
• Engaging in a cybermob or dogpiling – ganging up on someone in mass criticism
• Message bombing – the intentional flooding of a user's online accounts with messages meant to limit or block their access to an operating system or platform
• Failure to safeguard personal or confidential information
• Trolling – purposely saying something controversial in order to get a rise out of other users
• Cyberstalking – using social media to harass, intimidate or frighten someone
• Hacking – seeking to compromise digital devices or networks
• Online impersonation

The Online Harassment Field Manual by PEN America offers a comprehensive glossary of terms relating to online harassment and misconduct.

Online Harassment Field Manual

If you’re at all in doubt about what kinds of behaviour are strictly prohibited for members of the University community, Section 13 of the Student Code of Conduct (pages 4-5, linked below) provides a list of examples pertaining to both physical and virtual spaces. Please bear in mind that, as per the Code of Conduct, which applies to all students, the University may choose to investigate and take action on any reports of misconduct occurring online and in social media.

Code of Student Conduct (PDF)

Resources and Policies to Understand Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Online

The University is fully committed to fostering safe and inclusive spaces both across campus and online. Unfortunately, the internet was not created with equality, diversity and inclusion in mind, meaning we all have to make a conscious effort to promote these values and protect the most vulnerable members of our diverse and international community. 

Respect at Edinburgh Hub

This hub brings together information and guidance on the Dignity & Respect policy, the processes for raising and addressing concerns, and the support and training available. You can find up-to-date information on the University’s #NoExcuse campaign and the Students’ Association’s Liberation campaigns in the Respect at Edinburgh hub as well.

Respect at Edinburgh

University Code of Student Conduct

This document sets out expectations for student behaviour and the procedures the University uses to resolve disciplinary infractions.

Code of Student Conduct

University Dignity & Respect Policy

This document sets out expectations for ensuring that all members of the University treat one another with dignity and respect.

Dignity and Respect

University Equality & Diversity Strategy

This page includes the University’s Equality and Diversity Strategy, and the University's Equality Outcomes for the period 30 April 2021– 29 April 2025.

EDI Strategy and Equality Outcomes

University Trans Equality Policy

This page hosts the A to Z of HR Policies, including the Trans Equality Policy. This policy outlines the University’s approach to providing support and understanding to those individuals who wish to take, or have taken, steps to present themselves in a gender different to their gender assigned at birth.

Trans Equality Policy

Creating Accessible Materials and Accessibility Policy

The following pages bring together guidance for anyone lecturing or giving presentations to make their material as accessible as possible, and the University's website accessibility policy.

Creating accessible lectures/tutorials

Accessibility policy

Readings to Understand Information Security

The following policies outline how to keep your data and devices safe and secure, as well as appropriate use of the University network.

Information Security Recommended Reading

The InfoSec team have collated the minimum policies every student must read and comply with while computing as a University of Edinburgh student. These policies include the University’s Computing Regulations and Information Security Policy, as well as relevant laws that relate to both.

University policy states that the information it is responsible for will be appropriately secured. The Information Security Policy provides a framework for how this will be done.

The University Computing Regulations govern the use of all University computing and network facilities by staff, students and all authorised users. If you have any questions about what you're allowed to do while using a University network or device, be sure to consult these regulations.

Information Security Recommended Reading

Information Security BYOD (bring your own device) Guidance

Guidance when using your own device at work or when you manage the configuration of a computer yourself.

Using BYOD or Self-Managed Devices

Information about BYOD within Teaching Spaces

University Virtual Classroom Policy

This policy clarifies rights and responsibilities when delivering and recording teaching and learning using online communication and collaboration technologies. The policy covers a number of very important areas such as intellectual property, data protection and appropriate use of recordings.  It complements the lecture recording policy and is based on the same principles.

Virtual Classroom Policy

Lecture Recording Policy

University of Edinburgh Data Protection Policy

This policy sets out the accountability and responsibilities of the University, its staff and its students to comply fully with the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation (“the GDPR”) and the Data Protection Act 2018 (“the DPA”).

Data Protection: Policy and Handbook

University Privacy Statement

This webpage outlines how the University processes your personal information and who this information is shared with.

Privacy Statement

Guidelines and Advice for Social Media Use

University guidelines and advice for using social media as a member of the University of Edinburgh community.

University of Edinburgh Social Media Guidelines & Policy

These include guidelines for those using social media in a work context, while representing the University. While the University encourages colleagues to engage, collaborate and innovate using social media, it is important to be mindful of the potential impact of your online engagements. This page also contains a link to the University's Social Media Policy, which applies to all staff.

University of Edinburgh social media guidelines

University of Edinburgh Policy on Employee Use of Social Media (PDF)

Information Security Social Media Advice

The InfoSec team have put together some handy advice on the risks and benefits of using social media. Click on the link below for advice on how to manage your digital safety while using social media.

Information Security Social Media Advice

Institute for Academic Development (IAD) e-Professionalism Guide

E-Professionalism refers to the way you engage yourself online in relation to your profession, including your attitudes, actions and your adherence to relevant professional codes of conduct. Find the IAD’s guidance on e-Professionalism below.

IAD e-Professionalism guide

 

 

© Shivani Rao, Victoria Madden, University of Edinburgh, 2022, CC BY-SA 4.0, unless otherwise indicated.