B. Messages sent as electronic mail should meet the same standards for distribution or display as tangible documents. Identify yourself clearly and accurately in all communications. Concealing or misrepresenting your name or affiliation to disassociate yourself from responsibility for your actions is never appropriate. Alteration of the source of e-mail or message postings is unethical and may be illegal. C. Privacy can and should be a serious concern in electronic communications.
All electronic files belong to somebody.
Files should be considered as private and confidential unless the owner has explicitly made them available to others. Users of e-mail, in particular, should be aware that their messages can be edited and shared with others without their permission. Good judgment dictates the creation of electronic documents, whether in e-mail or other formats, with the idea that they may become available to the public. D. Abusive, threatening, demeaning, or harassing materials are never appropriate, regardless of the format of transmission. Debate on controversial issues is inevitable and essential in an academic community and ought to be conducted in ways that advance the cause of learning and mutual understanding.