Netiquette Statement and Guidelines

The word "netiquette" is short for "internet" and "etiquette" - acceptable manners and behavior in an
online classroom. Just as with a face-to-face class, standards of conduct are expected in an online
classroom. To ensure successful completion of the course, observe the department's Netiquette
Statement and Guidelines described in this page.

The Guam Community College Culinary and Foodservice Department Netiquette Statement states that
students participating in the department online course activity agree to "interact with others in a
positive, cooperative, and supportive manner and display respect for the privacy and rights of others."

Security
1. Your password is the only thing protecting you from pranks or more serious harm, don't share it
with anyone.
2. Change your password if you think someone else might know it.
3. Always log out when you are finished using the system.

General Guidelines
When communicating online, you should always:

1. Upon logging in, always have your camera on. DO NOT turn them off.
2. Upon logging in, mute yourself. You may unmute when given permission to speak.
3. Treat your instructor and classmates with respect in email or any other communication.
4. Always use your professors’ proper title: Dr. or Prof., or if in doubt use Mr. or Ms.
5. Unless specifically invited, don’t refer to your instructor by the first name.
6. Use clear and concise language.
7. Remember that all college-level communication should have correct spelling and grammar (this
includes discussion boards).
8. Avoid slang terms such as “wassup?” and texting abbreviations such as “u” instead of “you.”
9. Use standard fonts such as Ariel, Calibri or Times New Roman and use a size 10 or 12 pt. font.
10. Avoid using the caps lock feature AS IT CAN BE INTERPRETED AS YELLING.
11. Limit and possibly avoid the use of emoticons like :).
12. Be cautious when using humor or sarcasm as the tone is sometimes lost in an email or
discussion post and your message might be taken seriously or sound offensive.
13. Be careful with personal information (both yours and others).
14. Do not send confidential information via email.
Email Netiquette
When you send an email to your instructor or classmates, you should:

1. Use the subject line.

2. Be brief.
3. Avoid attachments unless you are sure your recipients can open them.
4. Use plain text.
5. Sign your message with your name and return email address.
6. Think before you send the email to more than one person. Does everyone really need to see
your message?
7. Be sure you REALLY want everyone to receive your response when you click, “reply all.”
8. Be sure that the message author intended for the information to be passed along before you
click the “forward” button.

Discussion Forum
When posting on the Discussion Forum, you should:

1. Make posts that are on-topic and within the scope of the course material.
2. Take your posts seriously and review and edit your posts before sending them.
3. Be as brief as possible while still making a thorough comment.
4. Always give proper credit when referencing or quoting another source.
5. Be sure to read all messages in a thread before replying.
6. Don’t repeat someone else’s post without adding something of your own to it.
7. Avoid short, generic replies such as, “I agree.” You should include why you agree or add to the
previous point.
8. Always be respectful of others’ opinions even when they differ from your own.
9. When you disagree with someone, you should express your differing opinion in a respectful,
non-critical way.
10. Do not make personal or insulting remarks.
11. Be open-minded.

(Adapted from University of Florida Netiquette Guide for Online Courses)