Students are expected to uphold their responsibilities in terms of appropriate and professional communication with faculty and peers. Please review the ‘Students Rights and Responsibilities’ section of the student handbook (located within MyIvy) and review common netiquette (Internet etiquette) practices.

Netiquette

Netiquette is the term used for a set of guidelines for interaction and communicating by email, messages, texting, zoom and Discussion Boards. Adhere to the same standards of behavior online that you follow in real life.

Respect Others

Remember the person on the receiving end is also human.
Avoid course, rough, or rude language. Avoid “FLAMING” or sending messages that are threatening, harassing, or offensive in any way.
DO NOT USE ALL CAPITAL LETTERS THIS IS KNOWN AS SHOUTING.

Be Aware

Do not assume that email is secure. Never put anything in email that you would not show on a Billboard.
Remember that Emails can be forwarded to other people.
Sometimes emails can be delivered to the wrong party or parties. Double check who you are sending the message to.
If you are forwarding or re-posting a message you’ve received, don’t change the wording. If it was a personal message to you, ask permission of the sender before re-posting or forwarding it to someone else. Even if you shorten the message and quote relevant parts, be sure you give proper attribution.
Remember that the receiver does not hear voice inflections or see body language.
If you think you are too emotional, do not send the message, save it, walk away, and review it later before sending.

Communicating

Make a good impression. Observe good grammar and spelling.
Be brief, but be specific to include all the necessary details, and stay focused.
Short messages are more likely to be read
Remember that any of your comments may be misinterpreted
Sign your emails and discussion board postings
Be careful with humor and sarcasm. The recipient is someone whose culture language and humor may have different points of reference from your own.
Be honest. Plagiarism and cheating are violations of school policy.

Security

Don’t share your password with anyone.
Change your password if you think someone else might know it.
Always logout when you are finished using the system.
Do not share personal information online: Social Security Number, C#, user ID, passwords, bank account information, and other similarly important pieces of identification.

Inbox & Conversations

Send your instructor Conversations from inside of your IvyLearn Inbox. This way, you will be identified and your course will be identified.
Be as specific as possible about the problem or question you have. Make sure you give the instructor a detailed account of a problem including the date and time you experienced it.
Email is not the same as text messaging. You need to allow 36 hours for a return message.
Treat the instructor with respect, even in email.
Avoid slang terms “wassup?” or abbreviations such as “u” instead of “you”. This is a college, and the faculty and staff you are communicating with are professionals.
Keep a copy of all communications between you and your instructor.

Discussions

Discussions are inside of your IvyLearn course and are not sent to others outside the course.
Allow your instructor 36 hours to respond to you.
Use the same rules of netiquette as you would with any other electronic communication device.