The following document represents general usage guidelines pertaining to the official "Kappa Delta Internet." Kappa Delta encourages chapter members and alumnae to publish and communicate freely and openly on the World Wide Web, but when doing so should abide by policies and guidelines contained herein, as any reference to Kappa Delta will reflect upon Kappa Delta's image, both positively and negatively. Members are reminded that website pages are public documents and have a potential audience of millions, mostly non-members.
Kappa Delta Sorority owns trademarks on the name "Kappa Delta", "KD" and the Kappa Delta crest. These trademarks have acquired a secondary meaning and have engendered good will associated with the marks which Kappa Delta must protect and maintain in order to preserve its intellectual property rights.
This document expresses minimal stylistic consistency rules for the purposes of protecting Kappa Delta's intellectual property and favorable image and avoiding liability for impermissible use. (See section entitled "Impermissible Use Statement"). These rules refer to "Chapter Web sites," Personal Web sites and "Alumnae Association(AA) Web sites" alike. Rules for e-mail and chat room usage within the official "Kappa Delta Internet" are expressed as well. Kappa Delta reserves the right to modify this usage policy at any time.
Definitions
The "Kappa Delta Internet" shall be defined as the community on the World Wide Web established for the members of Kappa Delta Sorority, to disseminate information, share ideas and an opportunity for interactive participation.
"Chapter Web site" is defined as the Web site that introduces a particular chapter of Kappa Delta Sorority members at a particular college or university and offers links to more specific information about that Kappa Delta chapter and its activities.
"AA Web site" is defined as the Web site that introduces a particular group of Kappa Delta Sorority members in a specific area and offers links to more specific information about that Kappa Delta group and its activities.
"KD Web site" is defined as the Web site established by the Kappa Delta National Headquarters to which chapters and AAs are linking and offers more specific information about National Kappa Delta and its activities.
Chapter Web sites and AA Web sites
All Chapter Web sites and AA Web sites shall be in good taste and conform to all Kappa Delta policies. All correct sorority terminology shall be used. Examples: "alumnae" not "alumni" when referring to Kappa Delta; "members, collegians, sisters, initiates" when referred to initiated members, not "actives."
Kappa Delta Sorority National Headquarters reserves the right to monitor and review such Chapter Web sites and AA Web sites if necessary to ensure image consistency and adherence to Kappa Delta policies, but does not accept responsibility for the content of such Chapter Web sites or AA Web sites.
Each Chapter Web site and AA Web site shall provide a link to the official Kappa Delta Internet.
If possible, each Chapter Web site and AA Web site shall provide the official Kappa Delta e-mail address (kappadelta@kappadelta.org).
All information provided on Chapter Web sites and AA Web sites shall be kept as up to date as possible and shall provide a date stamp on the website to indicate the date last modified and the author of the page. The e-mail address of the author is also encouraged.
Each author of a Chapter Web site or AA Web site shall revise errors as promptly as possible if found after review by Kappa Delta Sorority. It is the author's responsibility to provide accurate and truthful information.
Kappa Delta desires all Web sites to be linked to the Kappa Delta Internet; however, Kappa Delta reserves the right to remove them from the network should they be found to be in violation of the policies of Kappa Delta.
All Web sites shall not include links to personal/commercial sites that are inconsistent with the Rules. Web sites shall not engage in product endorsements or other personal/commercial advertising unless approved in writing by National Kappa Delta.
For safety and privacy concerns, members are cautioned about publishing personal information, such as addresses and telephone numbers on the Web sites.
Personal Web sites
Kappa Delta requires those members with personal Web sites to provide a disclaimer on the Web site indicating that the pages are not "official" and that the author is solely responsible for the content. Kappa Delta encourages its members to use these guidelines when publishing personal Web sites, especially the policies pertaining to use of copyrights and trademarks.
Copyright and Trademarks - All Pages
Permission is granted to chapters and alumnae associations to use Kappa Delta's copyrights and trademarks, but such permission may be revoked under intellectual property infringement law. Authors of any Web site should have express permission from Kappa Delta Sorority or the owner of the trademark or copyright when using any trademark, logo or copyrighted material. When in doubt contact Kappa Delta National Headquarters.
Photographs, drawings, video clips and sound clips may not be used on any Web site without the permission of the person that created them or owns the rights. Every person in a photograph or video clip must sign a release giving permission. These releases shall be kept on file as long as the photo or video clip remains on the Web site.
E-Mail
Kappa Delta encourages its members to use e-mail accounts as a communication tool and an efficient way to disseminate information.
E-mail messages or attached files pertaining to Kappa Delta business should be in compliance with all Kappa Delta policies.
E-mail messages and attached files shall not contain written words of Ritual or any references to ritualistic services.
E-mail messages and attached files shall not contain any pictures or words that are in bad taste or obscene in nature and profanity is prohibited.
Kappa Delta encourages its members to communicate directly with those individuals that have chosen to publish their e-mail address on the Kappa Delta Internet.
Requests and inquiries of an administrative nature should be directed to Kappa Delta National Headquarters. This includes such items as change of address, marriages, forms, labels, etc.
Chat Rooms
Kappa Delta members are encouraged to enter into any public chat room at their discretion. All discussions should comply with Kappa Delta policies. Problems and complaints should not be discussed with other chapters via on-line services as they are not completely secure despite best efforts. Private chat rooms are password protected. Computer accounts and passwords that are assigned to individual members should not be shared with others, especially those that are not members of Kappa Delta Sorority.
The written word of ritual or reference to any ritualistic service is forbidden in public and private chat rooms.
Profanity, obscenity or words of pornographic nature are strictly forbidden in both public and private chat rooms.
Impermissible Use Statement
Kappa Delta resources derived from the Kappa Delta Internet may only be used for sorority purposes and may not be used for any purpose which is illegal, immoral, unethical, dishonest, damaging to the reputation of Kappa Delta Sorority, inconsistent with the mission of Kappa Delta Sorority, or likely to subject Kappa Delta Sorority to liability in Kappa Delta Sorority's sole discretion. Impermissible uses include but are not limited to the following:
- Harassment
- Libel or slander
- Fraud or misrepresentation
- Unauthorized copying or transmission of copyright-protected items
- Use of Kappa Delta Sorority's trademarks, logos, insignia, or copyrights without prior approval.
- Unauthorized use of e-mail accounts or passwords assigned to others
- Posting or sending obscene, pornographic or offensive material
- Posting or sending material that does not comply with the mission or values of Kappa Delta Sorority.
Sanctions
Violations by any Kappa Delta member, chapter or AA of any guidelines, policy or impermissible use contained in this document shall result in the loss of computing privileges within the Kappa Delta Internet and the revocation of a link to that particular member, Chapter Web site or AA Web site or any such other sanction as may be allowed by the COHB or National Bylaws.
Each member is also encouraged to abide by any campus Panhellenic rules, university policy and any and all applicable Federal, state and local laws, especially those governing computer and telecommunication use, privacy and publicity rights and defamation.