Policy on the Social Media Engagement Programme
Background and Purpose
SUSI is the single awarding authority for all new student grant applications since 2012. SUSI decided to launch a Social Media Engagement Programme to assist in improving communications with its various stakeholders. This Social Media Engagement Policy sets out the purpose and parameters for the day-to-day operation of that Programme.
The purpose of the Social Media Engagement Programme is to increase SUSI’s visibility and to communicate with the public and all stakeholders.
Day-to-Day management of the Social Media Engagement Programme
While retaining overall direction of, and responsibility for, the Social Media Engagement Programme, SUSI’s senior management authorises its Social Media team to manage that Programme on a day-to-day basis.
Forms of Social Media Utilised
SUSI engages in the Social Media Engagement Programme via:
- its Website (www.susi.ie);
- its Facebook account (www.facebook.com/susisupport); and
- its X account (www.twitter.com/susihelpdesk).
Pages, accounts or groups (other than those listed above) bearing the SUSI name do not represent SUSI. SUSI may decide to utilise additional/other forms of social media in the future, at which point this policy will be updated.
Website
As part of its Social Media Engagement Programme, SUSI will provide information relevant to its work via its website (www.susi.ie).
SUSI will use its Facebook account to communicate relevant messages to its stakeholders and may also liaise directly with students, where SUSI deems it to be appropriate to do so.
X
SUSI will use its X account to communicate relevant messages to its stakeholders and may also liaise directly with students, where SUSI deems it to be appropriate to do so.
It is important to note that:
- SUSI is not the host for Facebook or X and will not be held responsible for the uploading of any material or the publishing of any inaccurate or defamatory statements on its account(s) by any third party.
Note: The law of defamation ascribes liability to the publisher of a defamatory statement, i.e. this is the person who either makes the statement or, in certain cases on the internet, the entity that hosts the defamatory statement.
- SUSI will not be obliged to follow any of its friends/followers. If SUSI friends/follows a Facebook/X account, it will not imply endorsement of any kind.
Data Protection
SUSI may request personal information through private channels within its Social Media Programme, for example, private messages on its X account. The public should not post any personal information publicly, and if they do so it is done at their own risk.
Social Media Code of Conduct
SUSI has the right to block any user(s), and remove any content, on its Social Media channels that is not in line with this policy.
Review of Policy
SUSI will review this policy over time in the light of any ongoing operational prodecure amendments.
