A. Purpose of the Policy

 

There is an expanding reliance on electronic communication among students, faculty, staff, and administration at the Thongsook College. This is motivated by the convenience, speed, cost-effectiveness, and environmental advantages of using e-mail rather than printed communication. Because of this increasing reliance and acceptance of electronic communication, e-mail is considered an official means for communication within Thongsook College.

Implementation of this policy ensures that students have access to this critical form of communication. For the majority of students, this will not represent any change from what is currently done; it will, however, ensure that all students can access, and be accessed by, e-mail as the need arises.

 

B. Scope

 

This student e-mail policy provides guidelines regarding the following aspects of e-mail as an official means of communication:

 

• College use of e-mail;

• Assignment of student e-mail addresses;

• Student use of and responsibilities associated with assigned e-mail addresses; and

• Expectations of e-mail communication between faculty and student and staff and student.

 

C. Policy

 

1. College use of e-mail
   E-mail is an official means for communication within Thongsook College. Therefore, the College has the right to send communications to students via e-mail and the right to expect that those communications will be received and read in a timely fashion.

2. Assignment of student e-mail addresses
   International Programs Executive Office will assign all students an official College e-mail address. It is to this official address that the College will send e-mail communications; this official address will be the address listed in the College directory for that student.

3. Redirecting of e-mail
   A student may have e-mail electronically redirected to another e-mail address. If a student wishes to have e-mail redirected from his or her official address to another e-mail address (e.g., @aol.com, @hotmail.com, or an address on a departmental server), they may do so, but at his or her own risk. The College will not be responsible for the handling of e-mail by outside vendors or by departmental servers. Having e-mail redirected does not absolve a student from the responsibilities associated with communication sent to his or her official e-mail address.

4. Expectations regarding student use of e-mail
   Students are expected to check their official e-mail address on a frequent and consistent basis in order to stay current with official communications. The college recommends checking e-mail once a week at a minimum; in recognition that certain communications may be time-critical.

5. Educational uses of e-mail
   Instructors may determine how e-mail will be used in their classes. It is highly recommended that if a lecturer has e-mail requirements and expectations they specify these requirements in their course syllabus. Instructors may expect that students' official e-mail addresses are being accessed and Instructor may use e-mail for their courses accordingly.

6. Appropriate use of student e-mail 
   In general, e-mail is not appropriate for transmitting sensitive or confidential information unless its use for such purposes is matched by an appropriate level of security.