The Media Lab uses Slack Workspace public and private channels as a tool for communicating on happenings around the Lab, requesting and offering help and opportunities, and more. While the Media Lab’s Slack workspace is open and welcoming, please keep in mind that all messages in this space, both public and private, are workplace communications. This means that they are governed by the same rules and policies as in-person and email communications at MIT, and may be discoverable in litigation and other legal proceedings.
- Avoid demeaning, discriminatory, harassing, or hateful behavior, language, and imagery.
- Do not send direct messages to individuals who have explicitly asked you not to. If a current student, staff, or faculty member has indicated they do not wish to receive communications from you, please respect that boundary. To this same regard, if someone signals not wanting to communicate through non-verbal cues like not responding to repeated outreach, respect that signal immediately by ceasing direct communication and not pursuing further interaction.If you believe you have a legitimate need to contact someone who has asked not to be contacted, please contact Media Lab HR to discuss this need.
- Limit unsolicited communications to reasonable, purposeful contact (not daily or excessive outreach).
- Refrain from excessive solicitation, self-promotion, or promotion of projects that are not directly related to current Media Lab/MAS students, faculty, and staff.
- Maintain professional, respectful language in all communications
- If you’re not sure about something in the Slack or would like to report a concern, contact MAS or Media Lab HR. We’re here to help you navigate the Slack space and welcome suggestions to improve our space. Depending on the nature of the report, it may be necessary to share the information with the Institute Discrimination and Harassment Response office (“IDHR”). Alternatively, you can report your concerns to IDHR directly (https://idhr.mit.edu/reporting-options/reporting-mit/).
- Please note that events shared in Media Lab Slack channels serve as invitations to current Media Lab students/faculty/staff ONLY unless specified otherwise (i.e. with a line in the text explicitly stating that “This event is open to any and all students, staff, and alumni”). Access is at the discretion of MAS and can be revoked at any time.
If these Slack communication best practices are violated by community members, the following sets forth a series of progressive steps that may be taken:
- First violation: Warning
- Second violation: One week removal from the Media Lab Slack Workspace
- Third violation: One month removal from the Media Lab Slack Workspace
- Fourth violation: Permanent ban from the Media Lab Slack Workspace
The Media Lab reserves the right in its discretion to deviate from these steps depending on the specific facts and circumstances, and may refer violators to Human Resources (HR), IDHR, the Committee on Discipline (COD), or the Alumni Association (AA).
Confidentiality & Non-Retaliation
- All complaints will be handled confidentially to the greatest extent possible, although it may be necessary to share the information with other Institute offices, such as IDHR, HR, or the COD
- Retaliation against anyone who raises concerns in good faith is prohibited by MIT policy