Student Handbook – Social Media Policy
Appendices
Social Media Policy
The Academy believes social media technologies provide an opportunity for our community to have access to an endless flow of information. Social media tools provide students today a method to create content and share this content with a global audience. These same tools provide a way for students to collaborate strengthening the content created and deepening relationships through the communication process. Appropriate content creation and publishing are critical skills for students today.
The following outlines the Indiana Academy’s social media policy and expectations. Social media refers to online tools and services that allow any Internet user to create, share and publish content. Popular social media tools include Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, blogs, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, and Flickr to name a few.
To maintain a safe and productive living and learning environment, the Indiana Academy requires all students who access or create social networking sites through BSU/Academy networks (LAN or WIFI) or other wireless/Internet provider to know and abide by the following:
- You are responsible and will be held accountable for the content of your communication(s) posted on social media.
- Think before you click; Please take the necessary amount of time to consider the short, long, and far-reaching consequences and effects before communicating online. You are responsible for what you like, comment, post/tweet, share, subscribe to, download, view, etc.
- Do not cyberbully others online. Cyberbullying is considered an act of harassment and is unacceptable. See the Anti-Bullying Policy section of the Indiana Academy Student Handbook for detailed information.
- Students are prohibited from using any electronic device to transmit material that is threatening, obscene, disruptive, or sexually explicit, and/or that can be construed as harassment or disparagement of others based upon their race, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, culture, ancestry, or political beliefs. Depending upon the specific behavior in question, the Academy’s Non-Discrimination/Anti-Harassment Policy may be applicable as well.
- Students are prohibited from engaging in “sexting” – i.e. sending, receiving, sharing, viewing, or possessing pictures, text messages, emails, or other materials of a sexual nature in electronic or any other form.
- Violation of these prohibitions shall result in disciplinary action. Furthermore, such actions will be reported to local law enforcement if illegal (child pornography, sexting, etc.) and/or child services as required by law.
- Students are prohibited from using any electronic device to capture, record, and/or transmit test, quiz, exam, or other class information or any other information in a manner constituting fraud, theft, cheating, or academic dishonesty and students are prohibited from using electronic devices to receive such information.
- Please report inappropriate online behavior to help maintain a positive living and learning environment for all.
- Maintain respectful discourse and acceptable behavior online. This includes objectionable/inflammatory language or pictures (ethnic/racial slurs, offensive comments, defamatory comments, personal insults, etc.). The Academy views anything said/done online as if done in person. These acts are considered acts of harassment and are unacceptable. See the Anti-Bullying Policy section of the Indiana Academy Student Handbook for detailed information. Additionally, depending upon the specific behavior in question, the Academy’s Non-Discrimination/Anti-Harassment Policy may be applicable as well.
- Anything communicated through social media should not disrupt the learning atmosphere, educational programs, school activities, and/or infringe on the rights of others.
- Do not violate privacy, confidentiality, or legal guidelines. Do not publish, post, or release information that is considered confidential or private.
- Protect yourself and others by not revealing private, confidential, or sensitive information.
- Ask permission before posting pictures, audio or videos of others.
Registered Sex Offenders Policy
Purpose of Policy
The State of Indiana has determined that perpetrators of certain sex crimes pose a continuing threat to students even after being released from prison. See, e.g. I.C. 11-13-3-4(g)(2)(a). Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics & Humanities (“Academy”) declares that the sole purpose of the Indiana Academy Registered Sex Offender School Access Policy (“Policy”) is for the compelling purpose of protecting and keeping safe the Academy pupils; and visitors.
Employment
Notwithstanding any other Academy policy, individuals convicted of any sexual offense under the laws of Indiana or any other states are not eligible for employment in any position with the Academy.
School Off Limits
The Academy declares that no registered sex offender, as defined by Indiana statute, (RSO) may come on any Academy property except as otherwise provided in this Policy and as permissible by State and Federal Law. If an administrator becomes aware that a RSO is on Academy property, or attending a Academy function without prior approval, the administrator/designee shall direct the RSO to leave the area immediately, except under limited circumstances as directed below. The administrator may request the assistance of the appropriate law enforcement authorities to secure the removal of any RSO from the Academy property or function. Violations of this Policy may subject the RSO to criminal and/or civil action.
The Policy shall apply only when the Executive Director, Director of Student Affairs, or their designee are aware that the person in question is on a Sex Offender Registry, either under the laws of the state of Indiana or another state. This policy shall not be construed to impose any duty upon the administrators or any employee of the Academy to review a sex offender registry or screen individuals coming on school property to ascertain whether they have been convicted of a sex offense.
The provisions of this Policy shall not apply in the event that a sex offender’s conviction has been expunged from the Sex Offender Registry.
Limited circumstances may occur when a RSO has either a right or a legitimate need to come upon Academy property. In such a case (detailed below), the RSO must contact the Executive Director, Director of Student Affairs, or their designee at least two (2) school days prior to the RSO’s expected presence on school property to establish a written School Access/Child Protection Plan (“SACPP”).
The SACPP will be established by discussion with a school administrator(s). The SACPP will address access to the school, school properties, and school functions during regular school hours, after school, evenings, and weekends. The SACPP and approval will be in writing with signatures of the involved parties. Only after there is an approved written SACPP may the RSO enter school property and only within the restrictions of the SACPP.
Parents
In the event that a RSO has a dependent attending the Academy and the person’s parental rights have not been terminated, Academy administration shall permit the parent to be on school property to attend required school meetings such as parent-teacher conferences and disciplinary meetings. The parent, however, may not linger on school property and is prohibited from being in any part of the school building except the immediate vicinity of the front desk or the room designated for the required meeting. The Executive Director, Director of Student Affairs, or their designee have the discretion to permit a RSO to be on school property to drop off or pick up a child. The administrator may only permit dropping off or picking up on school property where there will be adequate supervision of the students that will be in the drop off/pick up area. Prior arrangements must be made with the Director of Student Affairs or their designee.
This policy shall not be construed to impose any duty upon any employee of the Academy to review a sex offender registry and the school system’s directory information to ascertain whether a RSO may have a dependent at the Academy. The provisions of this policy shall apply only if an administrator actually becomes aware that the parent or guardian of a student at the Academy is a RSO. Also, those parents and guardians visiting school buildings are hereby advised that the Academy may refuse access to its buildings unless they agree to have someone check their driver’s license and run a criminal background check.
To facilitate voluntary compliance with this policy, administrators are encouraged to speak with any affected parents or guardians upon learning of their status as RSOs to communicate the restrictions of this policy. At all times, the administrator shall endeavor to protect the privacy of the offender’s child.
Visitation Policy for Non-Residential Academy Students
This policy relates to all Non-Residential Academy (NECP and International juniors) students. It does not pertain to other visitors of Academy students such as relatives, friends, or other guests who are not currently enrolled as Academy students. The purpose of this policy is to continue to enhance academic opportunities, further intellectual pursuits, and foster social connections between all Academy students. Please note, if you have a question about or want to do something that is not clearly outlined in policy below, please ask a Residential and Student Affairs staff member before proceeding.
Sign-in Procedure
Non-Residential Academy students will be required to have a Residential host student.
- Both students will register at the Academy front desk for a non-residential visit.
- Both students will need to have their IDs available to register and be prepared to list Student Names, Time Entering Floor, and Estimated Departure Time. The Academy Staff member will verify this information, and collect the ID from the non-residential student.
Sign-out Procedure
After leaving the residential floor near the approximated departure time, the non-residential Academy student and their host will return to the Academy front desk.
- The Non-Residential Academy student will list the actual departure time and sign out on the designated Non-Residential Academy student visitation page of the stuff book.
- The Academy Staff member will verify this information, return the non-residential Academy student’s ID and initial in the appropriate box.
Floor Visitation Hours For Non-Residential Students
Sunday–Thursday | 1:00 p.m.–8:30 p.m. |
Friday | 5:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. |
Saturday | 12:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. |
Floor Visitation Rules and Policies
- Non-Residential Academy students may visit the residential floors only during specified floor visitation times.
- Non-Residential Academy students may only visit floors that coincide with their birth certificate gender marker.
- While on the residential floors, they must remain with their identified host at all times. If a Non-Residential Academy student is spending time in a residential student’s room, both the host and the host’s roommate must agree to have the guest in their room.
- Students must exit the residential floors by the stated curfew for that day (Sun-Thurs =7pm / Fri & Sat = 10pm.) Non-Residential Academy students who do not leave the floors by this time will be asked to do so by a Student Life Counselor (SLC) and the Non-Residential Academy student and their host are expected to exit the floor immediately.
- Repeated disregard for this stated curfew to exit the floor may result in restriction or loss of future visitation privileges and/or additional disciplinary action for all parties.
Additional rules and expectations to be mindful are as follows:
- Residential students must not share or lend their key or ID to a Non-Residential student for any reason.
- Non-Residential Academy students may not sleep in their host’s room or anywhere on the residential floors.
- Non-Residential Academy students may use the restrooms on residential floors but are not allowed to use the showers.
- Non-residential Academy students must adhere to all residential standards of conduct as specified in the Student Handbook while on the residential floors. Violations of these standards include, but are not limited to:
- use of vulgar language and/or profanity
- roughhousing
- failure to sign in/out properly
- failure to stay with host
- any damage to Academy property
- 24-hour courtesy hours
- Pubic Displays of Affection
- Dress code
- Possession of prohibited items/substances
- any other behavior deemed inappropriate by Residential and Student Affairs representatives.
Discipline
Any policy violations by Non-Residential students will be addressed by the Residential and Student Affairs staff. Non-residential Academy students visiting residential floors will be subject to discipline issued and deemed necessary by Residential staff members. Non-residential Academy students wishing to be guests on the residential floors are encouraged to read the Indiana Academy Handbook (https://academy.bsu.edu/handbook) and will be required to follow residential policies and standards found within the Handbook while visiting on residential floors.
If a Non-Residential Academy student fails to follow Academy standards or policies, the student will be asked to leave the floor immediately and return to the main/public lounges.
- For the Non-Residential student, discipline will be issued as visitation restrictions, meaning that the Non-Residential Academy student will not be allowed onto a residential floor as a guest the following day (1st offense), week (2nd offense), 2 weeks (3rd offense), loss of privilege (4th offence).
- For the residential student, discipline will be issued as host restrictions, meaning that the Residential student will not be allowed to host for the following day (1st offense), week (2nd offense), 2 weeks (3rd offense), loss of privilege (4th offence).
- Both Academy students (non-residential and residential) will be emailed with the information pertaining to their discipline, including the offense, the subsequent discipline, and the date for the discipline. The student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) will be copied on this email for their reference.
On the issuance of a fourth visitation restriction/hosting restriction, the non-residential Academy student will not be allowed back onto residential floors nor the residential student be allowed to host until the following semester. A student’s restriction/hosting count will reset at the end of each semester.
If it is decided by the Associate Director of Residential and Student Affairs and/or the Director of Residential and Student Affairs that a student is unable to abide by Academy standards and policies, that student may be barred from visiting residential floors or hosting for the remainder of their time as an Academy student.