Specifically the University has a published policy on harassment and has an equal opportunities policy. These policies are contained in the student and staff handbooks. These rules, policies, regulations and the disciplinary procedures associated with them apply within the FirstClass system and breaches of them, or this code of conduct, may result in restrictions being placed on your use of the system and ultimately your removal from the system. FirstClass is an open conferencing system. In this environment students join with both staff and visitors to debate and discuss issues of academic and general interest.
Some conferences are also copied to other external conference systems.
All FirstClass users should recognise that comments made in such an 'open' environment reflect not only on themselves but also on the OU as an institution. FirstClass should not be used to bring the University into disrepute. FirstClass is a social environment. Normal rules of social interaction are in force. The remoteness of the recipients must not be used as an excuse to communicate in an anti-social manner.