The ProgressiveU Terms of Service states:
We welcome active debate but in order to ensure a safe and civil online environment, ProgressiveU reserves the right to remove any content you post on the Site or terminate your participation. To maintain that safe and civil environment, you agree not to upload, post, display, distribute, transmit or otherwise publish on the Site any material that:
(1) is libelous, obscene, pornographic, harassing, invective, or abusive;
(2) is violent, hateful, or threatening to anyone or any group.
But what exactly does all of that mean? What is a personal attack and how do we enforce it? Read this guide for specific information on what the policy entails.
Personal attacks, including name-calling, harassment, or violent, hateful and/or threatening statements made about or to any individual or group, are expressly forbidden at ProgressiveU.
When engaging in discussion, you should comment on the content of the blog itself and not on the blogger. Personal attacks will not help make a point. Instead, they degrade not only the discussion, but your personal integrity, that of the website and the mission of ProgressiveU.
Debate and discussion are a vital part of the ProgressiveU mission. Users should be civil and adhere to good netiquette when engaged in discussion, debate or general blogging. Comments should not be personalized and should be directed at content and actions rather than individual(s). When in disagreement about content, remember that it is not a personal attack to say "Your statement about this is wrong because ______." Nor is it a personal attack to debate with the individual who made the statement.
When in debate or discussion, the following types of comments and actions are never acceptable:
Consequences:
ProgressiveU has formally instituted a "three strikes policy." Terms of Service violations will be met with a formal warning. After the third formal warning in any six month period, your account will be blocked from ProgressiveU. Threats of violence or offsite harassment will be met with immediate termination of your account. In addition, repeat violations of the Terms of Service, Official Contest Rules or other Official Policy (as laid forth in the Editorial Policy or FAQs) during a contest period will result in a disqualification from the Blogging for Progress scholarship contest.
Any questions, suggestions, concerns or other commentary on this policy should be directed to the ProgressiveU staff via email at info[at]progressiveu.org.
