The roles described here will help you understand the different types of users of the MSL System, what access they usually have, and how to grant them permissions if needed. This information clarifies what these different types of users can do, making it easier to manage user permissions and ensure everyone has the right level of access.
Some areas of the MSL System are exclusively managed by MSL or require specific configurations that we need to handle. If you receive a message instructing you to contact us for assistance, email [email protected].
For further information, see MSL System Overview.
Contractual System Admins
Contractual System Admins (also referred to as Nominated Site Administrators) are the designated client contacts, typically two per organisation, who are authorised to request or approve system changes. They are granted Site Admins permissions, providing top-level access to all areas of your MSL Admin site. They should also have top-level access to all areas of your MSL website, usually through the Website Admin role or an equivalent high-level administrative role.
These admins are listed in your Agreement under Schedule 1, Clause 7.5 or 8, depending on your agreement version, or any later contract change letters. Your organisation must ensure that these Contractual System Admins are suitably trained and highly familiar with the MSL System. They are responsible for managing the list of Super Admins who have access to your MSL Admin site and responding to requests from the MSL team about data retention or any other issues with the system or website.
Contractual System Admins can be changed at any time. When making such changes, one of your organisation's current Contractual System Admins must promptly notify MSL in writing by emailing [email protected] with details of the updated nominated staff members.
Other User Types
This table lists and describes the various types of users of the MSL System.
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Super Admins | This role refers to staff users who log in to https://[domainname]/msl/ to manage your MSL Admin site. Their responsibilities include administering user accounts, managing groups, overseeing products, running reports, and performing other tasks. Contractual System Admins can assign and update specific permissions for Super Admins as needed. For further details, see MSL Admin Site Permissions. |
| Content Editors | This role refers to staff users who log in to your MSL website to manage page content, including those who have access to administrative areas of your website, such as Elections Admin, Events Admin, Blogs Admin, and Website Admin. If a Content Editor has specific permissions, such as Edit Elections, it is typically because they are a member of an admin role like Elections Admin or Website Admin. Their permissions are often applied to these roles as inherited permissions, and the roles are found within the Website organisation. For example, a Content Editor in an Activities Admin role might have admin permissions on behalf of all child groups of a parent organisation, such as inheritable Edit Organisation Details permissions on behalf of all sports clubs under the Sports Federation organisation so they can update details like logos, contact information, and descriptions on behalf of all sports clubs. You can create custom Content Editor roles from scratch and assign permissions tailored to your needs. For further details, see MSL Website Permissions. |
| Organisation Admins | This is how we refer to staff and student users who log in to your MSL website to run their Organisation’s admin. For example, a Committee Member managing a sports club or society, or an Academic Rep overseeing their Find My Rep page and cohort, would be considered an Organisation Admin. If an Organisation Admin has specific permissions, such as Send Messages, it is typically because they are a member of a group like a Committee role (e.g. President/ Treasurer/ Secretary/ etc.) or Academic Rep within a rep group. Their permissions are usually applied directly to the roles the users are members of, not inherited from higher levels, meaning the Organisation Admin has permissions limited to their specific role within the relevant organisation, such as the Chess Club or the BSc(Hons) Engineering rep group. You can create custom Organisation Admin roles from scratch and assign permissions tailored to your needs. For further details, see MSL Website Permissions. |
| Users | This is how we refer to users who log in to your MSL website and StudentLink® app. They have no admin privileges either in your MSL Admin site or your MSL website. Typically, these users include your members or guests accessing your website. In our support documentation, users may be described in different contexts based on their interactions with the system, such as purchasers, voters, candidates, or volunteers. |