Etiquette

Online meetings and activities follow many of the rules of etiquette, respect, and polite discourse that you would expect for in-person activities. With that said, online platforms present some unique challenges, and it is a good idea for web meeting participants to use the following guidelines:

  • Mute your microphone. To help keep background noise to a minimum, make sure you mute your microphone when you are not speaking.
  • Be mindful of background noise. Dogs barking, dishwashers, planes overhead, and other household members can all make noises that seem minor in person but are disruptive in an online meeting.
  • Position your camera properly. A direct camera angle that frames your face from the top of your head to your shoulders or chest will look the best, unless you need a different field of view for an exercise or demonstration. 
  • Keep camera on as much as possible. Cameras are especially important during interactive sessions, and help facilitate discussion and class presence. 
  • Limit distractions. It is very easy to lose focus in an online meeting, especially when you have many in the same day or week. Setting up an environment where you can focus will help significantly.
  • Avoid multi-tasking. Answering a text or a quick email may seem like an easy way to multi-task. This quick distraction often causes you to lose track of the discussion.
  • Be aware of meeting recording status. The decision of whether to record an online meeting should be based on your objectives for the meeting. Meeting participants may speak more candidly when meetings are not recorded. Meeting participants who cannot make it to a specific time may appreciate a recording. Whatever you choose, make sure that your participants know if you plan on recording the meeting.
  • Feel free to use the chat function. The chat function can be an effective way for meeting participants to ask questions, connect with peers, and contribute ideas without disrupting the general meeting.
  • Please use your Zoom hand and/or wait to be called on. In meetings with many participants, it is easier to manage discussions when participants raise their hands when they wish to speak
  • Directed questions in the chat are not confidential. Be aware that content typed into the chat bar is not confidential, even if you send a direct message to only one other person in the chat. For that reason, it's best not to share any information in the chat that you wouldn't want to share with all meeting participants.

Responsibilites of the Meeting Host

Meeting hosts should take active measures to set meeting norms and etiquette and to limit meeting participation in meetings to individuals who will respect the code of conduct and have a legitimate interest in participating. Sharing the etiquette guidelines above as well as the following UNM Code of Conduct notice at the start of your meeting and/or in meeting registration forms will help set some norms and expectations:

By registering for this Zoom session, I agree to comply with and be bound by UNM’s Acceptable Computer Use Policy (2500) and UNM’s Respectful Campus Policy (2240).

I understand that failure to comply with these policies may result in sanctions against me, including removal from the Zoom session, and may also result in disciplinary actions against me, including, but not limited to termination of employment and/or academic suspension or expulsion. Civil or criminal legal actions may also be taken, as appropriate.