Social Networks Policy

It must be understood that the Student Social Conduct Code and other Elizabethtown College policies apply to network usage and electronic postings. While the College does not as a matter of practice monitor the network for its content, the College will investigate and take appropriate action if College officials learn of questionable content (e.g., depictions of illegal alcohol consumption, hazing, property damage, acts of violence, defamation of character, etc.). That is, students will be held responsible for the content and character of electronic postings in the public domain (e.g., Facebook, Xanga, Tagged, LiveJournal, MySpace, etc.). If questionable material is brought to the attention of a college official, then an investigation will follow to determine appropriate interventions, if any. If the investigation so warrants, a student may be charged under the student judicial code and proceed to a judicial hearing. Appropriate sanctions will be imposed if a student(s) is found in violation of the Student Social Conduct Code and/or the College may even be required to report results of its investigation to third parties, such as the Borough or state police.

In some cases an electronic posting may give rise to concerns about the safety and well-being of a student or others (e.g. depictions of self-injury, suicidal ideation, acute depressive state, etc.). In these situations the College may require the student to undergo an assessment by a mental health professional (See Behavioral Health Intervention Policy).