Social Media Policy
Social networks and the Internet allow opportunities for rapid knowledge exchange and information dissemination among many people. This exchange does not come without risk. Graduate students are obligated to be aware of the benefits and potential consequences of engaging in the use of all types of social networking.
Graduate students are expected to comply with professional behaviors outlined per the graduate student handbook, professional industry standards, and ethical conduct in all online communication, in addition to face-to-face interactions. The nature of social networks often contributes to the blurring of lines between private, personal, and professional information. The information posted or shared online by students is NOT confidential. Anything posted by a student, or anything a student is tagged by, is visible to the "world-at-large" and may impact student standing in the graduate program and may affect a student's professional reputation.
Regardless if it occurs in the "real" world or "virtual/online" world, students must keep in mind that behaviors that are illegal (e.g. violations of HIPAA, patient privacy, confidentiality) are also in violation of RU policies. While it is not the policy of RU faculty to monitor students' on-line activities, if a report of inappropriate postings is brought to the department's attention, members of the Graduate Council will investigate the report and follow disciplinary procedures as set forth by individual graduate program expectations.