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Guidelines for ESNs

If you have other concerns about an ESN not complying with the guidelines set forth or a member engaging in prohibited conduct, please reach out to empsocialnetwork@boisestate.edu.

Guidelines

Identity Guidelines:

If an Employee Social Network wishes to use the words Boise State and/or University in their name, the university name should follow the group name to distinguish the ESN from a Boise State department, program or initiative. Examples are shown below.

  • Approved: “Food Lovers at Boise State University” or “Quilters at Boise State.”
  • Not Approved: “Boise State University Food Lovers” or “Boise State Quilters.”

ESNs may not use the term Bronco(s).

ESNs may not use any University logos.

ESNs may not use “BSU.”

Using a group or activity photograph is encouraged for the profile image on Engage and in other forms of communication. However, if an ESN would like to create a logo, please contact empsocialnetwork@boisestate.edu for assistance and guidance.

ESN Guidelines:

  • Groups are open to all employees at Boise State
  • Participation is voluntary; no employee is required to join any ESN
  • If your group is based around physical activity or exercise we encourage you to utilize your Exercise Release Time, most activities will be held on your own time outside of scheduled work hours
  • All groups uphold Boise State’s Shared Values
  • ESNs are employee driven, the University will not regularly monitor interactions
  • Keep it simple, these are fun groups- no need for strict rules, bylaws, etc.

Read and understand the Member Expectations of Conduct

Member Expectations of Conduct:

Laws and policies, including the First Amendment right to free speech and rules regarding workplace conduct, apply in ESNs. Employees are fully responsible for their conduct in ESNs. The University will respect the Constitutional rights of its Employees but Employees shall not engage in prohibited interactions such as

  • Endorsements of particular political candidates or electoral causes;
  • Endorsements of corporations, including private businesses and non-profit organizations, absent a contractual relationship with the University;
  • Existing for personal financial gain or making solicitations;
  • Voicing Opinions Critical of the University. Legitimate concerns can and should be discussed with appropriate parties; however, recent Supreme Court authority has made clear that First Amendment protections do not guarantee the right of public employees to publicly criticize their employers in the course of their employment;
  • Sharing confidential information;
  • Materially and substantially disrupting an ESN discussion, meeting, or other gathering;
  • Making a threat or communicating a serious expression of intent to commit an act of unlawful violence to a particular individual or group of individuals;
  • Obscenity;
  • Violating intellectual property rights or privacy laws;
  • Defamation, slander, or libel; or
  • Otherwise violating the terms of an app or web-based platform or service.

Note: Boise State takes seriously all allegations of harassment, discrimination and bias — so we encourage anyone who wishes to report it do so via this email: reportdiscrimination@boisestate.edu or submit a Boise State’s Silent Witness form, which you can find at boisestate.edu/safety.