Community Standards & Expectations

What you find funny might not be funny to everyone else. Humor is subjective, and a post you intend as a joke could be seen as offensive or hurtful by others. Before sharing, consider if your content could bemisinterpreted or cause distress.

Social media isn't always the best place to air grievances or address personal challenges. If you're going through a difficult time, or have a conflict (like with a roommate), consider reaching out to appropriate support systems. For example, Student Life staff can offer guidance and help resolve issues more effectively than a public post.

Beyond reflecting Coe's Civility Statement, every social media platform has its own community standards and expectations. Familiarize yourself with these guidelines on platforms like Yik Yak, Snapchat, TikTok, X(Twitter), Instagram and Facebook. Violating these rules can lead to content removal or account suspension.

Never post a photo that's solely meant for you in a public space. More importantly, always get explicit permission from friends or anyoneelse in a photo before you share or tag them on social media. Respectingothers' privacy is crucial.

Your social media accounts are an extension of your personal brand. Friends, family, future employers, and even colleges may view your profiles. Ensure your online presence reflects your values and presents you in the best possible light. If something wouldn't be appropriate to say in an in-person conversation, it's not appropriate for social media.

While it's important to be truthful about who you are online, avoid sharing sensitive personal information that could compromise yoursafety or identity. Be mindful of what details you reveal about yourself andyour whereabouts.

We all make mistakes. If you realize you've posted something hurtful, insensitive or inappropriate, remove it immediately. Take responsibility for your actions and apologize to anyone who may have been negatively impacted. Learning from these moments helps you grow and improve your online conduct.

Once something is posted online, it's virtually permanent. Even if you delete it, copies or screenshots can persist and resurface years later. Consider everything you post as public and lasting.

While some platforms offer "anonymous" posting, true anonymity online is rare. Technical means can often trace content back to its source. Don't assume you're untraceable, especially when posting anything potentially harmful or inappropriate.

Just because you have the ability to post something doesn't mean it's the right choice. Take a moment to pause and reflect before sharing. Ask yourself: Is this necessary? Is it kind? Is it true? Is it helpful?

Even if not intended, online posts can have significant and deeply hurtful consequences for those who see them. Text lacks tone, and what seems harmless to you could be profoundly damaging to someone else. Be mindful of the potential emotional impact of your content on your audience.

If you violate a Coe College policy, you will be subject to one of the accountability procedures: Written Letter of Warning, Administrative Conduct Meeting, or Administrative Hearing Board. Failure to respond to an original meeting invitation or or attend an administrative hearing will result in an automatic hearing in your absence, a fine, a responsible finding in your disciplinary record, and additional sanctions. If you fail to complete assigned sanctions, an additional minimum fine per incomplete sanction will be assessed.

As a member of the Coe College community, it is important for students to understand their rights during the conduct process. These rights include, but are not limited to the following:

• The right to a reasonably prompt and impartial process.
• The right to receive notice should there be good cause for a delay in the process.
• The right to share personal perspective and submit a personal statement regarding the incident.
• The right to submit relevant evidence and request the insight of witnesses to provide additional information directly related to the incident in question.
• The right to be informed of the outcome and receive appropriate sanctions.
• The right to appeal a finding of responsibility with an Appeal Officer.

Sanctions for misconduct may involve various types, such as status, educational, restorative, loss of rights & privileges, support, and restriction sanctions. The specific outcome and assigned sanction will be decided by the conduct officer or hearing board, based on their findings from the case.

If you are found responsible for a policy violation in an administrative conduct meeting or hearing, you have the right to appeal. To appeal, you must submit the appeal form within seven days of the outcome letter being sent. An Appeal Officer will be assigned within seven days of your submission to review the appeal based on all available evidence and the information you provide. The Appeal Officer may request a meeting to discuss the appeal, but the case will not be re-heard. Appeals are considered on specific grounds: newly discovered evidence (not available at the time of the hearing) that would likely change the outcome, procedural errors that materially impacted the outcome, or sanctions believed to be disproportionate to the finding. The Appeal Officer will uphold, adapt, or overturn the original decision and provide a written rationale. The outcome of an appeal is final.

To learn more about reporting options and procedures, visit the Report a Concern webpage.

While not required, we ask that reporters provide their name and contact information, so that Coe College personnel can connect to offer resources and support, as well as seek additional information. Being able to follow-up with reporters puts Coe College personnel in the best position to provide an effective response. We appreciate your willingness to report and assist our staff in their efforts to make Coe College a better place to live and learn.

• Academics: Coe College offers a variety of academic assistance resources for students, including the Learning Commons, the Office of Student Success & Persistence, and your academic advisor. These resources are designed to help students with everything from course selection and study skills to navigating college life and connecting with campus resources.
• Personal/Well-being: The Health and Wellness Office seeks to maximize student well-being by helping students reach their full potential. The office helps students minimize harmful behaviors while teaching students skills that promote healthy living. This is accomplished through offering; meditation, counseling, sleep programs, fitness classes and many other opportunities that promote growth across all dimensions of wellness.

For roommate issues, you should start by talking to your Resident Assistant (RA) for advice and to seek mediation. If further assistance is needed, professional staff in Residence Life can get involved for additional mediation or to facilitate other measures.