Community Messaging Guidelines.

The School of Public Health recognizes that members of our community may benefit from the dissemination of information regarding non BU-related activities. These activities may include fundraising for non BU-related charities, information about public health-related events happening outside of BU, and opportunities to volunteer at various local organizations. While the School recognizes the desire to raise awareness around these types of opportunities, the School does not encourage or discourage such undertakings. We do, however, want to make sure that members of the SPH community are not pressured to participate in or contribute to these efforts.

To avoid perceived or actual harassment, SPH recommends that all members of the SPH community limit direct communications regarding these opportunities to those with whom they work closely or regularly. For example, when using an online fundraising or crowdfunding website, members of our community should enter only the email addresses of those with whom they work closely or regularly. In addition, no individual member of the community should imply any endorsement by BU or SPH in any such solicitations for funds or participation.

Aside from personal communications, it is possible for SPH students, staff, and faculty to use official SPH communication methods to share appropriate requests (specifically, SPH Today and digital screens). These requests must be approved by the appropriate administrative unit (Student Services for students and centers or departments for faculty and staff).

In order for an opportunity to be shared with the School, it should be open to the entire school community. Such communications should be clearly marked as “not endorsed” by the unit (i.e. sharing via official SPH channels does not equate SPH sponsorship). In general, the School or the departments will only distribute communications in line with the work and mission of each unit. For example, requests for relief funding for a recent earthquake may be relevant, while endorsements or solicitations for political candidates would not.

We hope these guidelines allow for support of individuals’ communication efforts, without unduly burdening the School community. If you have any questions about these guidelines, please contact Ira Lazic, Associate Dean of Administration, at iralazic@bu.edu.