Guidelines for faculty/staff experiencing online harassment
DEFINITIONS
Doxing: to publicly identify or publish private information (about someone) especially as a form of punishment or revenge.
Harassment: unwelcome conduct intended to annoy or bother (someone) in a constant or repeated way.
Trolling: to antagonize (others) online by deliberately posting inflammatory, irrelevant, or offensive comments or other disruptive content.
COMMUNITY AND ONLINE ABUSE STANDARDS BY PLATFORM
(Because each channel’s policy changes from time to time, we are providing links to the most recent locations for each platform’s policy on abusive behavior and community standards.)
FREE EXPRESSION AT GVSU
As a public institution, GVSU cannot limit expressive activity, be it verbal, written, or another form of expression, based on viewpoint. We may not agree with what is being said or expressed, but given our commitment to free speech, a speaker or group has a constitutional right to freedom of expression, unless the speech is unprotected speech as defined in university policy.
SOCIAL MEDIA AND WEBPAGE PROCEDURES
Grand Valley encourages freedom of expression and recognizes the value of diverse opinions. However, GVSU webpage and social media administrators have a responsibility to remove comments, images, or other material deemed inflammatory, vulgar, or otherwise inappropriate unprotected speech, especially when they appear to threaten the welfare or safety of the poster or others on university-run websites and social media channels. If you have a concern related to a post or comment on social media channels owned or run by the university, contact University Communications.
If a situation arises where a department/individual would like an official statement from the university on a situation, please contact University Communications.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PREVENT ISSUES ONLINE
- Review GVSU’s Computing Conditions of Use from Information Technology.
- Indicate in social media bios that you are not an institutional spokesperson (Example: Opinions expressed are my own.)
- Consider setting social media accounts to “private” so members of the public cannot view these profiles or your postings without your consent.
- Do not upload documents with private information (personal phone numbers, home addresses, etc.) onto the GVSU CMS.
- Note: As a public institution GVSU-associated email addresses, office phone numbers, etc. are considered public information. Some communications may also be subject to public review under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act.
Guidelines for handling work-related online harassment, trolling or doxing
Remain calm as the university navigates this situation with you. Your safety is the top priority. If you believe you are in imminent physical danger, call 911. If you are concerned for your safety and want non-emergency assistance, contact the GVSU Department of Public Safety at 616-331-3255. If you believe the behavior is directed at you or someone else based on a protected characteristic, contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX who will handle the matter in accordance with GVSU’s nondiscrimination policy.
Immediately contact your department chair or supervisor to explain the situation. Share all relevant information so the severity of the issues can be properly assessed. In the event of a trolling or doxing situation, save all documentation associated with the event. This can include taking screenshots of comments and text messages, saving emails, URLs, photos and other data.
Contact University Communications to assist in determining if a customized response to the situation is necessary or if GVSU’s legal department should be notified. University Communications will help determine next steps for communication on the issue, and will escalate to other departments if needed. Please contact Chris Knape, assistant vice president of University Communications. If the situation is occurring on social media, please also contact Sarah Dudinetz, social media manager.
Forward all media and other inquiries to University Communications, as noted above.
Keep a low profile. Suspend activity on social media until the situation has been resolved. Do not respond in any way to those who are trolling, harassing or doxing. It can be difficult to keep silent when attacked, but engagement with attackers can exacerbate issues.
RESOURCES
Social media community guidelines: Guidelines created by University Communications and General Counsel to provide clarity around how and when to hide or delete comments on GVSU owned and run social media pages.
Encompass Employee Assistance Program: A third-party employee assistance program that offers 24/7 crisis support, consultation and coaching.
KEY CONTACTS
Public Safety contact:
GVSU Department of Public Safety: 616-331-3255
University Communications contacts:
Chris Knape, assistant vice president, University Communications [email protected] 616-331-2222
Sarah Dudinetz, social media manager [email protected] 616-331-2228
Office of Civil Rights and Title IX contact:
Kathleen Vanderveen, associate vice president & deputy chief inclusion and equity officer [email protected] (616) 331-3296