Netiquette at CCSNH

“Netiquette” or “network etiquette” defines appropriate communication in the online environment.  The online environment includes any communication that occurs via technology such as email, discussion boards, chat rooms, websites, blogs, wikis text messages and instant messaging. 

The Community Colleges encourage students, faculty and staff to use common courtesy and respect in all forms of communication to promote effective and positive interactions.

CCSNH Netiquette Policies:

1. Avoid offensive language of any kind. Offensive or derogatory language in an email, discussion board or other form of communication technology intended to harass others in a sexual, racial or other prejudicial manner violates civil rights laws.
   
   
2. Avoid threatening language or repeated harmful attacks on other students or faculty.  It is against the law.
   
   
3. Avoid “outing” which is where someone posts personal information about another student or faculty in an online environment, without their permission.
   
   
4. Avoid “flaming” which is the expression of extreme emotion or opinion in an email or online discussion board communication.

• Misinterpretation of an email followed by an impulsive email response increases the probability your recipient will also respond emotionally making the situation worse. "Act in haste, repent at your leisure."

• Emotionally charged email can be printed out, forwarded to many people instantly and may acquire a level of importance that was never intended.

5. Do not forward an email message, file attachment or photo without the author's permission. Asking for permission demonstrates your integrity in personal and business communications.
   
   
6. If you are concerned that someone is harassing, demeaning, or abusive, please follow the policy procedures outlined in the course syllabus.
   
   
7. The use of bold fonts and the color red often convey a tone of anger to your reader.

• Try to use dark colors in communications, lighter colors do not photocopy well and may not appear on printed documents if the color ink cartridge is old.
• The colors red or light green often cannot be seen by people with color blindness.

8. Use a clear email or discussion board posting subject line that relates directly to your message. Consider it to be the headline of a news article.

• Use an inverted pyramid form of writing with the most important statements in the first paragraph. Follow up with supporting details.

• Keep paragraphs short for easy reading. Use blank lines between paragraphs. State your recommendations for resolving a problem.

• Be clear, concise and considerate.

9. Avoid acronyms or abbreviations unless the entire class is familiar with them.
   
   
10. When communicating online or in an email, avoid instant messaging shorthand such as “u” for you. Communicate intelligently.
    
    
11. Use spell check and take time to proof read your communication. Electronic communication may be the only impression someone has of you.
    
    
12. Be cautious - email and online course postings stand on their own merit, often without context, and may be instantly forwarded to many people. It is impossible to rescind a written communication when it becomes available for all to see.
    
    
13. Be considerate of mistakes. If you decide to inform someone of a mistake or correct factual information, be polite and inform them by private email rather than group email of discussion board posting.

For more information:

www.library.yale.edu/training/netiquette/

www.albion.com/netiquette/corerules.html

CCSNH Distance Learning Collaborative
April 3, 2008