As instructors at Iowa State University, you must pay special attention to issues of confidentiality as well as professionalism. Take special note to ensure student confidentiality as well as professional responsibilities as stewards of a public university. Special attention must be paid to these matters in regards to social media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter).
When instructors comment negatively about a student on social media, even if the student is not named, the instructor risks violating the confidentiality and professionalism we must maintain. It is also the case that, depending on who is viewing the post, the student or group of students may in fact be identifiable; singling students out, as individuals or as a group, for negative comments on social media is not appropriate.
The following are relevant sections from the Faculty Handbook.
Breach of Confidentiality. Faculty are entrusted with confidential information on students, colleagues, clients and research subjects. Unauthorized disclosure of personal information subject to restrictions on dissemination is a form of misconduct. With respect to information on students, faculty are expected to adhere to standards set by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). For more information about FERPA, see the Office of the Registrar policies.
Professional Responsibilities. As teachers, faculty members encourage the free pursuit of learning in their students. They hold before them the best scholarly and ethical standards of their discipline. Faculty members demonstrate respect for students as individuals and adhere to their proper roles as intellectual guides and counselors. Faculty members foster honest academic conduct and evaluate student work with respect to its true academic merit. They respect the special nature of the relationship between professor and student. They do not exploit, harass, or improperly discriminate against students. They acknowledge significant academic or scholarly assistance from them. They protect their academic freedom.
The following is the Department of English Faculty Handbook’s section on citizenship and collegiality:
Citizenship and Collegiality
The Department of English is committed to sustaining a positive and productive environment for scholarship, learning, and service for each individual and for the collective benefit of all. Faculty are members of an interdependent community of scholars and teachers, and as such are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that contributes constructively to the department’s mission and reputation. The department is committed to ensuring a work environment where all individuals can thrive through openness and collaboration (adapted from the LAS College Policy on Collegiality and Citizenship).
Furthermore, as stated in the “Discrimination and Harassment” section of the ISU Policy Library, “Iowa State University reaffirms and emphasizes its commitment to provide a professional working and learning environment that is fair and responsible; that supports, nurtures, and rewards educational and employment growth on the basis of relevant factors such as ability and performance; and that is free of discriminatory conduct or communication.
As a part of workplace etiquette, faculty members will respond to student, faculty, and administrative email messages, normally within two business days. When faculty members are going to be absent with no computer access, they are to use the automatic out-of-office email response. Syllabi should include a policy that reflects this workplace ethic.