These are the most common issues of e-mail etiquette that appear to be on the minds of faculty and staff. Hopefully you will find this information helpful. As time goes on, I will update this page with current concerns and questions.

• E-Mail is a complicated way to convey Private Thoughts (4/22/03)

  When sending an e-mail, keep in mind that the information in the e-mail could become public if the receiver chooses to forward, print or share the information. There are many ways that information, intended to be private, becomes public. Although it is somewhat facetious, think of what would happen if some of your e-mails landed on the front page of the New York Times.

• Headlines vs FacStaff (ML) (12/7/02)

  Reminder to please use Headlines more often than FacStaff (ML). We should try to use FacStaff (ML) for announcements that contain information essential for everyone to hear ASAP. Please use mailing lists for info of significance to a select group of people

• Allowing Time for Responses

  Keep in mind we all check our e-mail on a regular basis but not all day long. It is unfair to expect e-mail responses to anything within 24 hours. If you do need an immediate response, please follow up in person.

• Is E-Mail the Best Method?

  There are certain exchanges that happen amongst us that because of the topic or emotion would be better shared via voice mail or over a cup of coffee in the Gordon Room.

• E-Mail and General Discretion

  This means that when you are sharing some sensitive or confidential information about an individual or a situation, it is usually best to share with 1 or 2 people rather than a group or mailing list.

• Reply Preference

  This refers to those times when you try to respond to one person and your semi-private conversation or observation goes to an entire mailing list. This means that when you choose REPLY, check that the mailing list is not in the CC. To fix this problem on GatorNet, choose PREFERENCES under the EDIT menu and then click on the MESSAGING tab. Make sure that REPLY says REPLY SENDER and not AUTOMATIC.

• Cluster Web Pages

  K-12 teachers at Chapin can create and maintain cluster web pages as long as they conform to the standard look, focus on curriculum content/links and avoid student names or pictures (except on password protected sections)

• E-mail Protocol (2/22/03)

  The Chapin e-mail system, either Fac/Staff or Headlines, is not intended for personal use or for the purpose of editorializing on a particular point of view. Please use Headlines for announcing events that you believe are of general interest to our faculty and staff.