The University of Cambridge Mature Student Society (MSS) is…

… dedicated to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members. To ensure a positive experience for everyone, please follow these guidelines, particularly when in the many WhatsApp groups. Failure to do so could result in your immediate removal from the community.

  • Purpose of the Open Forum: This space is for social interaction, asking pertinent questions, advertising university and college events, and sharing helpful resources. The Open Forum can be overwhelming to some, which is why we also have the MSS weekly newsletter to advertise the latest happenings so that you don’t miss out.

  • Other subgroups: MSS offers a wide range of subgroups that you can join or leave at any time based on your interests. Once you join, you’ll be able to view the group description to learn more about its aims and guidelines for engagement.

  • Be respectful and considerate: Keep in mind that our members come from diverse backgrounds and experiences, so please engage with kindness and mutual respect.

  • Use real and full names. Where possible please use your real and full name when you join WhatsApp groups. Shortenings are, of course, fine. But names intentionally aimed at hiding your identity are discouraged. Anyone not using their full names and transgressing other rules will be removed without warning. 

  • Private messages. Do not send private messages to members unless it’s appropriate to do so. For example, you’re welcome to message a committee member if you have a question/concern or reply if someone’s invited you to message them (e.g., “I’m selling my formal ticket for tonight. DM me if interested.”). Otherwise, please respect the fact members do not want unsolicited messages and those using the group to send such messages will be removed. What appears to the sender to be a harmless compliment to the receiver can seem threatening and intimidating.

  • Content moderation: Blatantly political statement and/or calls for action (including canvassing for votes, signing petitions, calls for boycotts, joining rallies, etc.) will be removed no matter how ‘universal’ the cause. This isn’t a reflection on the cause itself, but an effort to maintain an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. If a post is deemed inappropriate, it will be removed immediately, and you will receive a private message explaining why. Repeated violations will lead to your removal from the group.

  • Posting images: Avoid posting memes or pictures without careful consideration. Images depicting or implying violence are prohibited, as is anything of a sexual nature. Remember that long videos eat up memory on the phones of everyone in the chat. 

  • Avoid spamming: Anything blatantly commercial will be removed. We are a community of Cambridge students and their partners and families. Events meant specifically for and by this group are fine, especially if the poster is involved (for instance a talk at a college). Postings that advertise the sale of tickets for, say, a concert in London, belong in the MSS Marketplace. Otherwise, as with politics, commercial offerings will be removed, and persistent offenders will be thrown out of the community. 

  • Check existing resources first: Before asking a question, refer to the MSS weekly newsletter, as it may already have the information you need.

  • Direct concerns appropriately: If your question relates to a specific matter, consider reaching out to the relevant MSS Committee member before posting in the Open Forum. You can find us on our website: https://www.cambridgematuresoc.com/team