900.4 - Cyber Bullying Policy

University Group Policy #900.4

I.    Executive Summary

This policy governs the action of cyber bullying for the Winston-Salem State University community.

II.  Policy Statement

Winston-Salem State University recognizes the importance of information technology to the mission of a modern university. At the same time, these platforms present opportunities for misuse and for people to harm others when the technology is used without regard to consequences and without respect for one another. A safe and civil environment at the University is necessary for pupils to learn and achieve high academic standards and for faculty and staff to operate in a prosperous environment.

III.     Definitions

Cyber Bullying: activity that deliberately threatens, harasses, and/or intimidates an individual, places an individual in reasonable fear of harm to the individual or damage to the individual’s property; or has the effect of sustainably disrupting the orderly operation of the individual’s daily life via the use of electronic information and communication devices, to include but not be limited to: e-mail messages, instant messages, text messaging, cellular telephone communications, Internet blogs, social media sites, Internet chat rooms, and Internet postings.

IV.     Applicability

This policy is applicable to faculty, staff and students.

V.    Compliance

In conjunction with the Computer Use Policy, the University may suspend network privileges for as long as necessary in order to protect the University’s computing resources for violations of this policy. In addition, any violation of this policy is “misconduct” and subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal for employees and expulsion for students, in accordance with the applicable disciplinary process. Additional sanctions may also include civil and/or criminal actions.

Responsible Division: Information Technology

Authority: Chancellor

History:

• Adopted September 6, 2013
• Amended January 5, 2017