10. Personal Use of Social Media

Carleton University does not presume to actively monitor the personal accounts of any staff, faculty, or students. If staff, faculty, or other members of the community choose to use their personal accounts to speak about Carleton University, please be sure to do so in a way that is respectful to others. Be mindful that if you identify yourself as an employee of Carleton University in your profile bio or social posts, you are connecting yourself to the Carleton University community, including employees and students. The comments you make can be easily viewed by anyone online and may have repercussions for yourself, our community, and Carleton University’s reputation. Should you choose to post about the university, consider using a disclaimer indicating the opinions are your own and not necessarily reflected by the university. Carleton University’s logo, name, or other branded elements are not to be used to endorse or lobby for any product, political party/candidate, business, cause, or opinion.

If you choose to post on your personal account about matters relating to Carleton University, refrain from ever disclosing confidential information about the university, or information that would defame the university, its students, faculty, staff, or our mission. Any employee or person representing the university is responsible to protect the private or personal information of students, alumni, applicants, and staff. Improper disclosure or granting of unauthorized access to intellectual, financial, planning, or private material through social media is a serious offense and should not be taken lightly. Always respect the privacy and security of your fellow CU community members and follow the policies laid out for digital security.

If complaints are filed to Carleton University about behaviour on personal social media accounts, they may be investigated and actioned. When communicating from your personal social media account, refrain from posting or sending messages that may be interpreted as offensive, threatening, or harassing. Any form of hate speech or discrimination about a group or persons ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, or religion constitutes harassment and the cultivation of hostile environments and will warrant restrictive or punitive action.