Indiana University Athletics
Compliance Question Of The Week
Compliance Question Of The Week
Question:
Can coaches use Facebook?
Answer:
Yes, however, the ONLY permissible method of communication through Facebook (and other social networking sites) is via private E-mail. All other forms are prohibited. For example:
? No "Chatting"
? No posting messages on a message board
? No posting messages on a prospect's Facebook "wall"
Q: Is it permissible for a coach to initiate or respond to a prospect's "friend request" on Facebook?
A: Yes. It is permissible for a coach to respond to a prospect's "friend request" on Facebook provided the prospect is a junior or older. Please note: it is the responsibility of the coach to verify the grade level of each prospect prior to initiating or accepting any "friend request" on a personal networking site. Current program phone call policies should be used to confirm current grade and graduation year of all prospects prior to any communications with a prospect on these sites.
Q: It is permissible for a coach to appear on a prospect's Facebook page as one of the prospect's "friends?"
A: Such publicity as a "friend" (i.e., showing up on the prospect's page as a friend) only reveals the possibility of the prospect's recruitment by the coach--it is permissible for a coach to reveal as much (but nothing more) publicly per 13.10.2. Coaches are reminded they may not make any public comments about the prospective student-athlete's ability, the contribution that the prospective student-athlete might make to the institution's team or the likelihood of the prospective student-athlete's signing with that institution.
Q: Is it permissible for a coach to post a comment on a prospect's Facebook page or "wall"?
A: NO .... for two reasons:
1) It becomes public recruitment of the prospect; AND
2) It is electronic communication that's neither email nor fax.
Q: Is it permissible for a coach to contact a prospect directly using the "Send a [Prospect] a Message" feature? (if prospect is old enough to receive General Correspondence).
A: Yes, as this feature works just like personal e-mail. The message is not publicly viewable, and is therefore permissible electronic communication. Must be a Junior or older. Check!
Question:
Can coaches use Facebook?
Answer:
Yes, however, the ONLY permissible method of communication through Facebook (and other social networking sites) is via private E-mail. All other forms are prohibited. For example:
? No "Chatting"
? No posting messages on a message board
? No posting messages on a prospect's Facebook "wall"
Q: Is it permissible for a coach to initiate or respond to a prospect's "friend request" on Facebook?
A: Yes. It is permissible for a coach to respond to a prospect's "friend request" on Facebook provided the prospect is a junior or older. Please note: it is the responsibility of the coach to verify the grade level of each prospect prior to initiating or accepting any "friend request" on a personal networking site. Current program phone call policies should be used to confirm current grade and graduation year of all prospects prior to any communications with a prospect on these sites.
Q: It is permissible for a coach to appear on a prospect's Facebook page as one of the prospect's "friends?"
A: Such publicity as a "friend" (i.e., showing up on the prospect's page as a friend) only reveals the possibility of the prospect's recruitment by the coach--it is permissible for a coach to reveal as much (but nothing more) publicly per 13.10.2. Coaches are reminded they may not make any public comments about the prospective student-athlete's ability, the contribution that the prospective student-athlete might make to the institution's team or the likelihood of the prospective student-athlete's signing with that institution.
Q: Is it permissible for a coach to post a comment on a prospect's Facebook page or "wall"?
A: NO .... for two reasons:
1) It becomes public recruitment of the prospect; AND
2) It is electronic communication that's neither email nor fax.
Q: Is it permissible for a coach to contact a prospect directly using the "Send a [Prospect] a Message" feature? (if prospect is old enough to receive General Correspondence).
A: Yes, as this feature works just like personal e-mail. The message is not publicly viewable, and is therefore permissible electronic communication. Must be a Junior or older. Check!