NSU University School Faculty, Staff and Employee Handbook

11 University School communication sites. When communicating directly with NSU University School constituents, employees should use NSU phones, NSU email addresses, NSU/NSU University School web sites and school approved links. b. Employees MAY NOT directly engage, “befriend,” or in any way communicate with individual current NSU University School students or parents for personal reasons via social media and/or networks. Students should NOT be given access to any employee’s personal social media site for any reason. 1. In the event a social media site is used for NSU University School purposes (coaching, clubs, etc)., that site must conform at all times and in every way with the processes described above. c. Use of social media for educational purposes, while on work time or on school equipment, requires advance written permission from the divisional Director. 2. An employee may not disclose any private or confidential information of the School or confidential information obtained during the course of his/her employment, including confidential student education records as defined by the Family Educational Rights to Privacy Act (FERPA), financial information regarding students or their families, and trade secrets, which may include information regarding the development of systems, processes, products, know-how and technology. Employees may not post internal reports, policies, procedures or other internal business-related confidential communications of the School. 3. Pursuant to FERPA, confidential student information includes the use and dissemination of student photographs. Employees MAY NOT take photos or videos of students and use for other than school-endorsed purposes, including, but not limited to upload to personal Internet-based applications or web sites. Similarly, student photos CANNOT be released to third parties without the parent’s written consent. Photos are for internal use only by school officials. 4. Employees should be fair and courteous to the School, its employees, its students or their families. Any posted complaints or criticism that could reasonably be viewed as malicious, obscene, threatening or intimidating or that might constitute harassment or bullying should be avoided. Examples of such conduct might include offensive posts meant to intentionally harm someone’s reputation or posts that could contribute to a hostile work environment on the basis of race, sex, disability, religion or any other status protected by law or School policy. 5. Employees should not post information or rumors known to be false about the School, its employees, its students or their families. 6. Employees should express only personal opinions when using social media. Employees must refrain from making any statement that could be construed to represent the official views of the School. It is best to include a disclaimer such as “The postings on this site are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NSU University School.” Please also note the serious consequences associated with failure to adhere to these policies (See current NSU Employee Handbook section re: NSU Computer Usage).