Netiquette Guidelines for Students

Please help your instructors create and maintain a respectful atmosphere that is conducive for learning. This is how you can help:

1. Address your classmates and instructors by name in course communication (such as e-mails, discussions posts). For example: "Hi Ms. Smith, I have a question" . . . or "Tamika, I like your answer to that question." This shows that you recognize the person at the other end of the communication.
2. Assume that your instructor prefers to be referred to in more formal terms, unless told otherwise (i.e., Professor Smith, Mrs. Jones, Mr. Davis).
3. Remember to identify yourself in the e-mail subject line (first and last name) as well as the class/section you're in so your professor can relate your question to a specific person and class.
4. Do not post anything illegal, harassing, sexually suggestive, or inflammatory on your personal profile, blog, or the course discussion boards. This includes posting racy photos and using curse words, no matter how "mild”, and religious, racial, sexual, or ethnic epithets. Your comments should relate to course content and not try to influence your classmates to your political, social, or religious beliefs or values. These are academic courses, not social networking sites. If instructors see something that they think might offend others, they might remove it or ask you to remove it. If you aren't sure about something, talk to your instructor about it. The instructor will be happy to help you determine if something is appropriate or not before you post it. Repeat offenses may result in further disciplinary action.
5. Follow the rules and conventions of standard English; use correct spelling, grammar and punctuation. This makes communication clear for everyone. Avoid use of text speak such as LOL or emoticons.
6. Demonstrate an acute awareness of purpose and audience. Show respect for the academic environment and those from other backgrounds. For example, if you have a question about a grade, ask your instructor about it rather than make demands or threats. Think about what you want from your instructor or your classmates before you send an angry e-mail or make an angry discussion post.
7. Use normal capitalization. Typing in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS is the Internet equivalent of yelling at someone. Don’t do it in e-mail or in the discussion boards. Also typing messages in all lower case makes your message difficult to read.
8. Discuss personal matters, grades, and policy matters with instructors via e-mail, voice chat, over the phone, or in their offices, not in the course discussion boards. Refrain from posting complaints, rants, or problems about the course or your life in the discussion board. Please consider the topic and the delicate nature of the situation as you choose which medium you plan to use. Some topics are best discussed with a phone call or face-to-face visit.
9. Do not spam your classmates or instructor with e-mail advertisements or solicitations either through Moodle or their e-mail accounts. Students in this course have the same right to privacy as others. Also, please do not add classmates or instructors to e-mail lists for jokes, horoscopes, religious materials, commercial information, or anything else that does not relate to class work.
10. Do not allow anyone access to this or any other online course through your account. Make sure you log out when using public computers. Allowing anyone (parents, friends, spouses, etc.) to access the course or see other students' work violates federal privacy laws.
11. Students taking online and hybrid courses are required to use their Surry email account. All students are strongly encouraged to use the Surry email account when communicating with instructors and classmates.
    Note: For further information reference Surry’s Information Technology Acceptable Use Policy.