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Michigan Interscholastic Press Association

The Official Michigan Interscholastic Press Association Site

Student Advisory Cohort Rules of Conduct and Policies

Cohort main landing page

We’re so excited you plan to be a part of the MIPA Meetup: MIPA’s Student Advisory Cohort. This group is important to us to help provide a student voice in our organization and to help connect leaders in our member programs to each other.

As a youth program affiliated with Michigan State University, MIPA follows University rules and procedures to help ensure the safety of our participants. You will be expected to represent your school in a fitting manner by following the rules of the program. Failure to follow the program rules may result in implementation of disciplinary action, which could result in your removal from the cohort.

The rules and policies listed here are not all-inclusive. MIPA reserves the right to take any reasonable actions necessary to address health or safety issues to protect participants of our programs.

About the Cohort Program

The MIPA Meetup: MIPA’s Student Advisory Cohort connects student journalists from member middle and high school programs for collaborative work around journalism and serves as the student voice of the MIPA organization. Advisers at our members programs may nominate up to two students to participate in the Cohort.

MIPA stands for the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association. We’re a statewide nonprofit group of middle and high school journalism programs across the state. Our members are the school newspapers, yearbooks, video programs and news websites at schools all over the state of Michigan. We provide a variety of programming throughout the school year, including conferences and contests. We’ve been based in the MSU School of Journalism since 1982, but our organization was founded in 1921.

Participation in the MIPA Meetup may include an online discussion forum for members (using platforms such as Slack or GroupMe), video conference sessions and interactive chats with speakers on various media-related topics, opportunities to visit locations of interest (such as college or professional media organizations) and in-person meetings at MIPA events. Participation in any activity is voluntary. Some activities may require the completion of additional parental/guardian permission forms before students can participate.

Safety & Security

Participants must abide by all local laws, MIPA program rules and Michigan State University regulations and may be removed from the program for violation of such rules. Participants who are dismissed from the program will lose access to all online program materials immediately.

  • Participants may not possess or use alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, illegal drugs, fireworks, guns or weapons while participating in program activities. These items should not be brought to any in-person or online program activity, regardless of the age of the participant.
  • Violence of any kind will not be tolerated.
  • Theft of property, regardless of the owner, will not be tolerated.
  • Inappropriate sexual behavior, including sexual harassment, sexual abuse, and intimate physical/sexual contact, will not be tolerated.
  • Any violation of MSU’s Anti-Discrimination Policy will not be tolerated.
  • Hazing and bullying (including, but not limited to physical, verbal or cyber-bullying) will not be tolerated.
  • Misuse or damage of university, MIPA or others’ personal property is prohibited. Participants may be financially responsible for damage or misuse of university, MIPA or others’ property.
  • Michigan State University prohibits the inappropriate use of cameras, imaging and other digital recording devices, including camera, imaging and other digital recording applications on smartphones and mobile devices, in showers, restrooms, locker rooms and other areas where privacy is expected by participants.

Online Learning & Safety Practices

  • Participants should use a neutral background (blank wall, digital background, limited exposure of private spaces) for any live online sessions.
    • The goal is to limit views of the home in the interest of privacy and security.
    • This also helps eliminate unintended distractions by activities in the background.
  • Participants may not share inappropriate content through files, images, videos, chat, audio or other features of the digital instruction platform
  • Participants may not screen shot or record other participants’ images, information or participation contributions during the program.
  • Participants may not record interactions with other participants through online instruction platforms.
  • Participants may not record program sessions or presentations, which may be copyrighted or contain material protected by U.S. copyright law.
  • MIPA may record online instructional activities, presentations or discussions for limited use within our program (for example, as a resource for cohort participants or MIPA member programs). We will not record all activities. Participants will be notified if a session is being recorded.
  • When creating an online profile for the instruction platform or any other online account, limit the information that is shared.
    • For example, just because the platform asks for your address does not mean that you have to provide your actual personal address.
    • If a picture is required, the picture provided should be neutral and appropriate.
    • Do not share personal information in the virtual meeting.
  • Anyone receiving threatening or inappropriate chat messages should immediately report it to a trusted adult.
  • In the interest of safety, do not share links, passwords, or other program login information with anyone outside of the program.
  • MSU prohibits “Zoom Bombing” and similar disruptive behaviors.
  • Student participants will not be shown on-camera during live, public sessions unless they are an official speaker. Student speakers during such sessions must have a media release form on file with MIPA signed by a parent or guardian (or the participant if age 18 or older).
  • Participants should have a quiet place where they can engage in live online learning activities. While we do not require teachers or parents to be present, we encourage teachers and/or parents to monitor online learning activities in a non-disruptive way.

Statement on unauthorized access and disruptive behavior during video conference sessions (ie, “Zoom bombing”)

  • MSU prohibits “Zoom Bombing” and similar disruptive behaviors.
    • Definition: “Zoom Bombing” is the act of accessing Zoom or other video conference sessions without authorization.
  • Appropriate consequences, including but not limited to dismissal from the program may apply to anyone who:
    • Violates program safety and security rules;
    • Contributes to “Zoom Bombing” or other similar disruptions; and/or
    • Shares program links, passwords or other program login information with individuals outside of the program.

Image & Likeness

Participants’ rights and responsibilities related to their image and likeness are detailed in the Media Release Form parents or guardians (or the participant if age 18 or older) are asked to sign prior to participating in this program.

Information about MSU Policies Related to Title IX

The MSU Anti-Discrimination Policy and Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct Policy apply to all MSU students, employees, or third-party community members, including youth program participants.

Consistent with Title IX, MSU’s Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct Policy and Anti-Discrimination Policy expressly prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex. The Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct Policy provides a procedure for reporting and resolving complaints of sex discrimination (including sexual harassment and sexual assault), which applies to youth program participants.

What is Title IX?

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that receives federal funding.

Discrimination on the basis of sex includes: 

  • Excluding, separating, denying benefits to, or otherwise treating a person differently on the basis of sex
  • Sexual harassment
  • Sexual assault

MSU Title IX coordinator

MSU’s Title IX Coordinator oversees the University’s compliance with Title IX, including its complaint procedures, and is available to meet with youth program participants about matters involving sex discrimination.

Nicole Schmidtke
Acting Associate Vice President & Title IX Coordinator
Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance
408 W. Circle Drive
Olds Hall, Suite 105
East Lansing, MI 48824
Phone: 517-353-3922
Website: civilrights.msu.edu

Reporting procedures and resources

All individuals are encouraged to promptly report possible violations of MSU’s Anti-Discrimination Policy and Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct Policy to MSU’s Office of Institutional Equity (OIE), law enforcement, or both. OIE is responsible for receiving and processing complaints of sex discrimination (including sexual harassment, sexual assault and sexual violence), which may involve an investigation. If a person is unsure about reporting and would like assistance in understanding the options, they may contact a Confidential Resource. A list of these resources is available at https://poe.msu.edu/resources/survivor-resources.html. A list of these resources specifically available for youth is available at https://youthprograms.msu.edu/reporting/index.html.

Report to the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) by completing the online Public Incident Reporting Form or by calling, emailing, or visiting the OIE office.

Address: 408 W. Circle Dr., Suite 4, Olds Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824
Phone: 517-353-3922
E-mail: oie@msu.edu
Online reporting: Public Incident Reporting Form

Contact the MSU Police (or your local law enforcement) for assistance in filing a criminal complaint and preserving physical evidence.

MSU Police Department
Address: 1120 Red Cedar Road, East Lansing, MI 48824
Emergencies: call 9-1-1
Non-Emergency Line: 517-355-2221

Anti-Discrimination Policy

MIPA strives to provide a safe and welcoming environment for all participants, staff and guests, who should be able to work, learn and live in an environment free of harassment. MIPA follows Michigan State University’s Anti-Discrimination Policy.

The University Anti-Discrimination Policy (ADP) states expectations for institutional and individual conduct. A detailed description of the ADP can be found at https://hr.msu.edu/policies-procedures/university-wide/ADP_policy.html.

The ADP User’s Manual provides further discussion of the definitions of behaviors prohibited by the ADP as well as the relationship between the First Amendment and complaints of harassment/discrimination; the ADP User’s Manual can be found at https://civilrights.msu.edu/_assets/documents/ADP%20Users%20Manual%20-%20Updated%202020.02.171.pdf

Protocol for addressing bias incidents, acts of prohibited discrimination/harassment and hate crimes can be found at https://oie.msu.edu/_assets/documents/bias-incident-reporting-protocols-17.08.01.pdf.

Special Needs & Accommodations

MIPA and MSU are committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services and activities. Accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested by contacting Jeremy Steele, MIPA executive director, at 517-353-6761 or mipa@msu.edu at least 10 business days prior to the start of our program so that we have time to make necessary arrangements. Requests received after this date will be honored whenever possible. More information about disability inclusion services at MSU can be found at https://www.rcpd.msu.edu/services/accommodations.

Procedures for Responding to Behaviors that Violate Policies

If a participant is involved with an incident that violates university and/or program policy, program staff will speak with everyone involved to gain understanding of what occurred and may contact listed parent(s), guardian(s), and/or other emergency contact(s) of both the participants responsible for the policy violation and the participants directly affected by the incident. In the instance that participants have violated university and program policies, program staff will connect with the appropriate MSU supervisors and/or authorities to determine the best course of action to resolve the situation, including whether the participant(s) responsible for the policy violation must be removed from the program.

Depending on the seriousness of a violation, disciplinary action may include verbal warnings, detention, inability to participate in organized activities/programming and/or dismissal from the program. Participants who develop a pattern or history of violations may be dismissed from the program.

MIPA personnel will immediately remove a participant from our program for any action that endangers the health or safety of the participant, other program participants, workshop staff or any other person. This includes, but is not limited to, violence of any kind, bullying, harassment and the violation of any university rule designed to protect health and safety.

If it has been determined that a participant’s behavior violates university and/or program policies and requires early dismissal from the program, program staff will make contact with the participant’s approved adult contacts. The program fee will not be refunded.

If a participant is attending the MIPA program as part of a school-sponsored activity (such as participating in school-sponsored student media), a letter to the media adviser or other school officials may follow any disciplinary action.

If it is suspected that a crime may have occurred, program staff will immediately stop investigating, contact MSU Police, and follow the lead of MSU Police investigators. Should police or emergency response professionals need to make contact with a participant, program staff will make every reasonable attempt to notify the appropriate parent(s), guardian(s), and/or other emergency contact(s) as immediately as possible.

If an allegation of inappropriate conduct including but not limited to abuse, neglect, assault, harassment, sexual assault, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, child pornography, furnishing alcohol, drugs, and/or sexual materials to a minor, and violations of the University’s anti-discrimination policy is made against an adult participating in a youth program, including program staff/volunteers, the accused adult will be removed from any further participation in MSU youth programs and activities covered by the MSU Operational Requirements for Conducting University Youth Programs until such allegation has been satisfactorily resolved. Adults may not retaliate against minors, families, parents, guardians, and staff/volunteers who report allegations of inappropriate conduct.

Notification Procedures for Emergency Situations

In the instance of a medical or behavioral incident or emergency, program staff will contact the participant’s parent(s), guardian(s), or other emergency contact(s). Program staff will call all listed phone numbers on file until contact is made with at least one of the adults listed on the participant’s registration materials. If emergency responders need to make contact with the participant, program staff will make every reasonable attempt to notify parent(s), guardian(s), and/or other emergency contact(s) as immediately as possible.

Limits to Confidentiality

Participants and parents should be aware that MIPA staff, MIPA volunteers and Michigan State University employees, including session speakers, may not be able to maintain confidentiality when it conflicts with their responsibility to report certain issues to protect the health and safety of program participants, MSU community members and others. Essays, journals and other materials submitted to our staff or volunteers should not be considered confidential.

MIPA staff and volunteers are required under Michigan State University policy and state law to report the following information to applicable university offices and/or law enforcement agencies:

  • Suspected child abuse/neglect, even if this maltreatment happened in the past;
  • Allegations of sexual assault or sexual harassment regardless of when or where an incident occurred; and
  • Credible threats of harm to oneself or to others.

These reports may trigger contact from a campus or law enforcement official who will want to talk with the youth participant about the incident.

For additional resources, please visit https://youthprograms.msu.edu/parent-family/index.html 

Online Safety Information and Resources for Participants and Parents/Guardians

We encourage parents, guardians, and participants to educate themselves on safety and security tips when engaging in online learning activities. Below are some resources that may be helpful: