New (and experienced) Internet users should always follow accepted rules of network communication. Explore some of the links on this page to get a good introduction to accepted Net conduct.
In this course there are several rules one should always follow when communicating with email:
- Unsolicited email programming aid requests:
Programming help via email is NOT provided. Contacting instructors/TAs via email outside of office/lab hours should only be done if they have previously specifically requested you to do so. Programming questions should be brought to office hours for help. The CS 3114 Web site discussion board should be used for posting questions. The TAs and instructors will be monitoring the discussion board.
- Email submission of course work -
NOT permitted
Do NOT submit work of any kind to the instructor or TAs via email. Email messages are NOT a substitute for on-line submission of work. All submissions of course work in CS 3114 must be made to the Curator automated-grading system. -
Attachments
Attachments are NOT to be sent to the instructor(s) or TAs unless they are specifically requested. Unrequested attachments will be deleted, regardless of the reason! Email attachments are NOT a substitute for on-line submissions. All submissions in CS 3114 must be made to the Curator automated-grading system. - Subject Omissions
Do NOT omit email subject lines. It is considered very rude and feeble-minded behavior. Please do not send email without a subject. I usually don't answer the email. If it isn't important enough for someone to take time to compose a subject then why would it be important to me. -
Instructors and TAs teach other courses
Always identify yourself clearly. Start your subject with a course number, (eg. CS 3114) followed by a brief concise subject heading. (Include a section number if there are multiple sections of a course taught by the same instructor/TA.) - Email account usage
It is violation of VT University computing information system policy to use another's email account or to allow anyone to use your email account. You and only you are fully responsible for all messages sent from your email account. - Off Campus Email Account Usage
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. §
1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of
student education records.
Since off campus email addresses cannot be verified they
cannot be used for communication of academic work at Virginia Tech.
Student must send all course/academic related email messages from their Va Tech email account. No course/academic related email messages from off campus email addresses will be accepted or responded.
- Email Backup
Since it is very easy to save email (and easy to lose), students are expected to make backup copies of all communication related to the course until after the end of the term and they have received their course grade. Failure to do so when a communication is needed later in the course, (eg. if a dispute or other circumstance arises), will NOT constitute an excuse.
- Email is NOT postal mail
Do NOT always assume that email messages reach their destination. If you expect a reply and do not receive one, follow up on the message. Use of an off-campus (non-VT) email server may result in email not being answered. Due to the Buckley Amendment academic information cannot discussed unless the identity of the person can be verified. (Email related any academic course cannot [and will not] be sent to off-campus email addresses.)