Social media are an important supplement to other communications channels and help to promote the interests of the University of Bergen.

The University of Bergen encourages employees to use social media. In line with recommendations provided by the Agency for Public Management and eGovernment (Difi), we have prepared a list of some helpful advice for employees who use social media.

Advice to UiB employees on the use of social media

Become familiar with the medium

Statements made in social media can spread much faster than via the traditional media, and are easier for other people to interpret and comment on. Remember that there is no undo button, so you must be aware of what you are saying.

Be clear about who you are

The difference between your role as an employee and your private role can be much less clear in social media than in other contexts. Be open about the fact that you work at UiB if you are commenting on issues on the internet, if this is relevant. Make sure that you stress that something is your personal opinion, in contexts where you could be perceived as acting as a representative of UiB.

Workplace rules also apply to social media

Think about whether your contribution could conflict with guidelines, loyalties and other rules by which you as an employee are bound.

Direct questions and enquiries into formal channels

Users of social media can have a low threshold when it comes to disclosing personal information. Remember that the university will not process cases in social media. Enquiries that need processing should be directed to the correct party within UiB (generally post@uib.no). You are welcome to answer questions about your specialist field and make comments if you feel qualified to.

Follow good internet practice

Follow internet etiquette in the channel in which you are operating, and tailor your postings according to sender, type and content. 

UiB and social media

Our official presence in social media can act as a useful supplement to UiB's official internet information. This presence must be carefully considered, resources should be set aside to working with this, while taking care not to compromise the work of maintaining the high quality of the official web pages (uib.no).

Take time to plan and think

Decide on the objective, target group and language before setting up a service in a social medium. Take time to follow things up. Short, frequent postings are better than long, infrequent ones.

Cultivate conversations and two-way communication

Do not use social media as a channel for sales and advertising.

Check facts and provide sources

Do not spread rumours. Apologise for any mistakes and correct them as soon as possible.

Reply quickly

It is best to reply to a question or posting the same day. This reduces the risk that mistakes and misunderstandings will spread.

Advice on naming and administration

It is up to each faculty, department, research group, research school, project or study programme to assess the value of representation in social media through profiles and accounts. In order to make the university's connection with this representation transparent, and prevent such profiles or accounts being dependent on individuals, the following practice is recommended:

Facebook

• A unit that wishes to be in Facebook is encouraged to create a 'page'.
• The name of the page should end with 'UiB' (e.g. 'The Faculty of Law, UiB').
• Please inform webred@uib.no of the page via e-mail.

Twitter

• 'UiB' should be included in the name of the profile (e.g. "UiB_Jus" or UiBJusFak").
• Use the complete name in the 'bio' field of the profile. A link to the official website should be included.