VI.       Online Harassment and Misconduct

College policies are written and interpreted broadly to include online and/or electronic manifestations of any of the prohibited behaviors, when those behaviors occur in or have an effect on the college’s education program and activities, or when they involve the use of college networks, technology, or equipment.

Although the college may not control websites, social media, and other venues through which harassing communications are made, when such communications are reported to college, it will engage in a variety of means to address and mitigate the effects. These means may include use of the resolution process to address off-campus conduct whose effects contribute to limiting or denying a person access to college’s education program or activity.

Nothing in this policy is intended to infringe upon or limit a person’s rights to free expression. Any online posting or other electronic communication by students, including technology-facilitated bullying, stalking, harassment, etc., occurring completely outside of the college’s control (e.g., not on college networks, websites, or between college email accounts) will only be subject to this policy when such online conduct can be shown to cause (or will likely cause) a substantial in-program disruption or infringement on the rights of others. Otherwise, such communications are considered speech protected by the principles of free expression. Supportive measures for Complainants will be provided.

Employees’ off-campus speech, whether online or in person, may be regulated by the college only when such speech is made in an employee’s official or work-capacity or has substanial disruption to the college’s programs or operations.