Rules of Operation

These Rules of Operation apply to all members of USNA-Net and any of its sub-lists.  Please read them carefully and bookmark this page for easy reference in the future. If you have any questions concerning these rules, please address them directly (by email) to your To protet ourselves from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled. .

By subscribing to a USNA-Net Listserver, you must...

• Abide by all of these Rules,
• Be considerate of the other members of the Listserver, and
• Honor the dictums of our Netiquette Guidelines in all communications.      

These Rules apply to ALL messages sent to the Lists.
Messages sent privately to members should still conform to proper Netiquette.

1. All messages must support the Mission Statement.
   • All messages must relate to The United States Naval Academy and/or Navy Parenting.
   • Calls to Action, Charitable Causes, Virus Warnings, Jokes, Chain Letters, Poetry, Rumors, etc. are forbidden.
   • Clear ANY questionable material with your To protet ourselves from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled. before posting.
   
   
2. No Political, Religious, Discriminatory, or Sexual References.
   • As a condition of participation, no member will use ANY such reference in any posting, even in the most casual usage.  Religious references, Prayers or Prayer Requests must be confined to the USNA-Prayer list.
   • Profane and/or four letter words are similarly prohibited.
   • Broadcast message material should be suitable for receipt by all members.
   
   
3. Positive Content ONLY
   • Criticism of the Academy in any way is forbidden.
   • Reports of Negative Incidents, Rumors or "Fast Breaking News Stories" concerning any Midshipman or the USNA are prohibited.  The potential harm to Midshipmen, the USNA and this Listserver from such "tabloid" type messages could be substantial.
   • Discussion of any administrative aspect of the Academy is NOT a function of USNA-Net.  This includes constructive criticism, in the eye of the sender.
   • Send questions on USNA-Net Operations and Administrative Matters to your To protet ourselves from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled. .  DO NOT send them to our Lists.
   • Positive and congenial messages are preferred on USNA-Net.  A negative message, if and when the sender perceives one as necessary, should be sent via private email, not broadcast to the Lists.
   
   
4. No Personal Attacks
   • Messages, which can be perceived as personal attacks by the recipient or any other member, are prohibited.  This also includes general attacks or references to any group, profession, ethnicity, religion, or race.
   • Any member who attacks or flames another member, either publicly on the list or privately will be removed from all USNA-Net lists.  Personal attacks will not be tolerated.
   
   
5. Rights to Privacy
   • Information and/or the contents of email posted on any of our lists is private and must not be distributed to non-members under any circumstances.  This is especially important regarding email address and other personal information about list members.
   • User Names and Passwords may not be shared with any non-member.
   • Personal information regarding Midshipmen should not be broadcast without the permission of the individual Midshipman concerned.  Midshipmen are adults and they have a right to privacy.
   • A Midshipman's and his/her family's right to privacy are paramount and should be considered prior to ANY reference in a message, especially, in the case of a death, serious medical or personal situation involving a Midshipman or his/her family.
   • All parents should be aware that Listserver messages and information might inadvertently be shared with Midshipmen via email or telephone conversations to the Yard.  While passing any Listserver messages back to Midshipmen is prohibited, each parent has the responsibility to not broadcast items in the first place that might have a negative impact on their (or any other) Midshipman.
   
   
6. No Calls for Action
   • Advocating mass actions of any kind by Listserver members is prohibited. This especially includes calls to contact USNA Administrators, Politicians or other Officials for any reason.  This is an informational Listserver, not an activist one!
   
   
7. No Commercial Content
   • All messages which contains information about Personal or Commercial Goods and/or Services FOR SALE or WANTED TO BUY are prohibited.  This includes any message offering to barter, exchange or give away anything OR messages asking for anything, including favors or information on Commercial Goods or Services.
   • All such offerings/advertisements/requests MUST be placed on our Classified Advertisement Web Page.
   • All legal Goods and/or Services are allowed in the Classified Ads including Real Estate, Rentals, Tickets, Business Listings, Rides Wanted, Cancellations, Employment, etc.
   • NO Football/USNA Sports ticket sales or exchanges are allowed to be included in any message to our Listservers.  They must be placed in the Classified Ads Web Page instead.
   • If an email message endorses a Product or Service or mentions Prices, Money or Goods/Services WANTED or FOR SALE it may NOT be broadcast to the lists.  All such information MUST be placed on the Classified Advertisement Page.
   
   
8. Use the Correct Email Address
   • Personal e-mail responses must be sent directly to an individual member's email address.
     Our Lists are not "chat rooms!"  All messages sent to a List must be of interest to most members of the List.  Refer to Rule #1.
   • Send your Plebe related messages to To protet ourselves from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled. if they involve Plebe issues.  Don't impose on the entire USNA-Net membership with Plebe related postings.
   • NEVER send the same message to more than one List.
   
   
9. Misuse and Forbidden Content
   • No member is to EVER send a message reprimanding another member for a rules violation.  Instead, email your To protet ourselves from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled. privately and allow him/her to deal with the problem.
   • Do not post messages looking for other members, parents, roommates' families, etc.  We are not directory assistance.  Address all such requests for assistance to your To protet ourselves from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled. .
   • Never ask other members of our lists for FAVORS.
   • Do not post messages asking for results of individual sports.  This information can easily be found elsewhere on the Internet.
   • Misuse of the Lists or violation of these rules can result in the suspension of posting privileges or revocation of membership.
   
   
10. General
    • Consequences for statements made when using these facilities are the responsibility and liability of the sending member.
    • All questionable broadcast messages should be referred to the To protet ourselves from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled. before sending.
    • The Moderator is solely responsible for maintaining adherence to these rules.  His / Her judgment is final regarding the suitability of postings and corrective actions taken.  These actions can range from notice of inappropriate actions to suspension of posting privileges or revocation of membership.
    • Anyone unwilling to abide by these rules should unsubscribe from the Listserver.
    
    

Last Updated: 4/25/06 - Revised Web Address from www.USNA-Net.org to www.USNA.org
Previous Updates:
10/07/03 - Removed all references to the Sports List
08/11/03 - Specifically included Removal for personal attacks in Rule 4.
10/24/02 - Specifically prohibited Chain Letters in Rule #1. Fixed wording in Rule #2.
04/07/02 - Removed all references to Attachments to Email.
11/06/01 - Corrected Spelling Errors
10/02/01 - Removed RTF Rule, Expanded Rule #9 to include FAVORS mentioned previously only in Rule #7
09/07/01 - No Sports Ticket Exchanges &/or Directions/Accommodations Info except on USNA-Sports. (Rule #8)
02/18/01 - Specifically Excluded Poetry and Prayers in Rule #1
08/23/00 - Revised Commercial Content Rule
07/07/00 - Removed "Friends" from Membership Eligibility
08/28/99 - Rules rewritten for Clarity

To view the Original Rules of Operation upon which our USNA-Net's were based, Click Here.