Electronic Communications Guidelines

This document is intended to clarify appropriate use of the university Electronic Communications.

University Electronic Communications are supported and made available through the use of university funds. 

Specific distribution lists (e.g. All-Employees) are to be used exclusively for official university business. This includes publicity for university sponsored activities, staff and faculty organizational announcements, and notification of availability of university services and resources.

An announcement of, or update on, a university wide program or celebration are examples of appropriate uses of such distribution lists. However, Political Action Committees are an example of something that is not considered university business; therefore such distribution lists would not be the appropriate vehicle to use to advertise their activities.

These distribution lists are not intended to be an editorial forum or discussion board for personal opinion. It is appropriate to announce university events, including those where such discussion and interchange of ideas take place, or to refer to resources that may be pertinent to the event. However, the use of these distribution lists should be limited to announcements of events, not a discussion of subject matter.

Information Technology Services has the responsibility, since it is accountable for these university resources, to follow-up on questionable use of university technology resources, to verify their appropriate use and to remind account holders of this policy. This followup may be in response to queries from other account holders in the university. Inappropriate use of any University email distribution list may result in removal of the ability to post messages to the list.

If you have questions about the suitability of a message for a University email distribution list, or any other comments regarding this appropriate use policy, they may be directed to the Service Desk at servicedesk@csueastbay.edu.