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Communications - Grapevine Posting Policy

The University of Georgia Libraries listserv, GRAPEVINE, is a primary means of communication for Libraries' staff on topics ranging from library/organizational information to community “bulletin board” information that may not be as strictly work-related. This includes:

  • Postings of minutes and/or updates of committee work
  • Announcements of meetings, reminders of workshops
  • Queries on library related issues or help needed
  • Posting or discussion of library issues and/or administrative policies
  • Queries for interest in particular activities
  • Announcements concerning library-sponsored programs or fundraising activities (e.g., Asset Awards, LSA flower sale, school supplies drive)
  • Communication of community information that might be of interest to the larger group
  • Announcements of items that you wish to make available to your library colleagues (e.g., you have extra symphony tickets to offer). See guidelines below if you wish to sell the item.

Please follow these guidelines when posting a message to GRAPEVINE:

  1. Many of your colleagues receive a large volume of emails every day. Try to make your posting pertinent and relevant.
  2. Discussion (as opposed to brief announcements) of non-work-related matters is not appropriate for GRAPEVINE. If a topic comes up about which you have a strong personal opinion or that you don’t think will interest most people, please respond to the sender directly or to a small group of select individuals.
  3. Details concerning items for sale should not be posted to GRAPEVINE. The ugaforsale@listserv.uga.edu may be used for this purpose; alternatively, you may announce the availability of an item on GRAPEVINE, but request that interested parties contact you directly for details such as how much it costs, etc.
  4. The moderators of the listserv (Jan Hudson and Tim Peacock) reserve the right to notify the list and restrict the posting of any message(s) not in compliance with University of Georgia Policies.
  5. All messages must conform to University of Georgia policies regarding approved usage of computers and electronic mail. These policies are codified in the “UGA Policies on Use of Computers” http://www.uga.edu/compsec/use.html and the “The University of Georgia Information Assurance Electronic Mail Policy” http://www.infosec.uga.edu/policies/documents/UGA_Email_Policy.pdf. Pertinent excerpts from the email policy are listed below:
“Authorized Usage — The University of Georgia's electronic mail systems generally must be used for academic, business, or university authorized activities only. Incidental personal use is permissible as long as it does not interfere with worker productivity, impose on the rights of other individuals, and does not preempt any business activity or system resources. University authorized or sanctioned activities, i.e. charitable fund raising campaigns, political advocacy efforts, religious efforts, private business activities will be allowed after written authorization by the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration or the Senior Vice President for External Affairs."

“Contents of Messages — Users must not use profanity, obscenities, or derogatory remarks in electronic mail messages. Users must concentrate on business matters in University of Georgia electronic mail. As a matter of standard business practice, all University of Georgia electronic mail must be consistent with conventional standards of ethical and polite conduct.”

“No Guaranteed Message Privacy — The University of Georgia cannot guarantee that electronic mail will be private. Users must be aware that electronic mail can, depending on the technology, be forwarded, intercepted, printed, and stored by others. Electronic mail that is not encrypted can be viewed by people other than the intended recipient, while in transit or on mail servers. Because messages can be stored in backups, electronic mail actually may be retrievable when a traditional paper letter would have been discarded or destroyed.”

“University Property — As an enhancement to the academic experience while at the University of Georgia (UGA) and a productivity enhancement tool, the University of Georgia encourages the academic and business use of electronic mail (email) systems. All email messages generated on or handled by UGA electronic mail systems are considered to be the property of UGA, unless the material is copyrighted by a third-party.”

Revised September 2008
University of Georgia