Educational Gaming Commons

Welcome all! Penn State is investigating the use of virtual worlds for higher education. With the explosion of interest in this area, it is imperative we move forward in a community that demonstrates respect for all. The purpose of using Second Life at PSU is education. It is a seductive world, but we are progressing toward objectives and goals in our classes and we, students, faculty, and staff, need to work together to achieve them.

Linden Lab's Community Standards

Linden Lab applies these Community Standards apply to all areas of Second Life, the Second Life Forums, and the Second Life Website. Generally, violations of the Community Standards will first result in a warning, followed by suspension and eventual banishment from Second Life. See http://secondlife.com/app/help/rules/cs.php for details.

1. Intolerance
   
   The use of derogatory or demeaning language or images in reference to another Resident's race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or sexual orientation is never allowed in Second Life.
2. Harassment
   
   Communicating or behaving in a manner which is offensively coarse, intimidating or threatening, constitutes unwelcome sexual advances or requests for sexual favors, or is otherwise likely to cause annoyance or alarm is Harassment.
3. Assault
   
   Assault in Second Life means: shooting, pushing, or shoving another Resident in a Safe Area; creating or using scripted objects which singularly or persistently target another Resident in a manner which prevents their enjoyment of Second Life.
4. Disclosure
   
   Sharing personal information about a fellow Resident --including gender, religion, age, marital status, race, sexual preference, and real-world location beyond what is provided by the Resident in the First Life page of their Resident profile is a violation of that Resident's privacy. Remotely monitoring conversations, posting conversation logs, or sharing conversation logs without consent are all prohibited in Second Life and on the Second Life Forums.
5. Indecency
   
   Content, communication, or behavior which involves intense language or expletives, nudity or sexual content, the depiction of sex or violence, or anything else broadly offensive must be contained within private land in areas rated Mature (M).
6. Disturbing the Peace
   
   Disrupting scheduled events, repeated transmission of undesired advertising content, the use of repetitive sounds, following or self-spawning items, or other objects that intentionally slow server performance or inhibit another Resident's ability to enjoy Second Life are examples of Disturbing the Peace.

Reporting Abuse to Linden Lab

You should report violations of the Community Standards using the Abuse Reporter tool located under the Help menu in the in-world tool bar. Every Abuse Report is individually investigated, and the identity of the reporter is kept strictly confidential. If you need immediate assistance, in-world Liaisons may be available to help. Look for Residents with the last name Linden. Please copy the land owners on any abuse report submitted to Linden Lab.

Interactions with Others

Penn State applies these guidelines to all areas of Penn State land.

• Demonstrate respect towards others you communicate with.
• Say hello, goodbye, etc. Consider finding/buying a wave animation for your avatar. In a crowd, try to name the person you are talking to. Say “Hello, Mary,” not just “Hello.”
• Unless you intend to include everyone in your conversation, consider using Instant Message (IM). It reduces confusion for others in the area.
• Avoid slang and SMS abbreviations – you may be talking to someone who doesn't understand them.
• Do not shout unless you need to contact someone far away and you cannot IM them.
• Do not type in ALL CAPS. That is a form of shouting and should be used only to emphasize issues you feel strong about.
• Be aware that others may be involved in several conversations simultaneously. There may be a lag time in their responses to you.
• If you are working in a group, find a private place for the group to interact so your conversations do not disturb others.
• Beware of trolls. A troll is an individual who initiates discussions that stir up anger in order to set people against each other. In the event of a troll’s attack, contact the land owner immediately.
• Respect people's privacy and property. Ask the owner for permission to enter his/her land and buildings.
• Only carry and use weapons where this is allowed.
• Ask permission when taking snapshots of avatars or other's property.
• Nudity is not tolerated.
• Do not share your avatar! Doing so implies you have shared your Second Life password - a violation of Linden Lab rules.
  

Academic Conduct

All Second Life land operated by Penn State units is considered part of Penn State. All Penn State academic and student behavior guidelines, policies, and codes of conduct, including academic integrity and diversity, are in effect when you are academically engaged in Second Life as a Penn State faculty, staff, or student member.

If you wish to pursue non-academic actions, locations, etc. in Second Life as part of a learning experience, please create a second, alternative (alt) avatar that is not affiliated with Penn State. Please use a non-PSU email address when you create your alt avatar.

Selling

Selling items on Penn State property is not permitted unless agreed to via prior consultation with the land owner.

Building

• Don’t build on other people's property without permission.
• Do not place an object on your property that will disturb your neighbors.
• Clean up after yourself when you build. If you script, watch that scripts don't get out of your control. This is a real problem with vehicle scripts and scripts for self replicating objects. Also be careful that what you build has no effect on your neighbors.

Acknowledgements

This document is a synthesis of information and suggestions by Linden Lab, The Associated Humans of Second Life, Ed Lamoureux, Simeon Gateaux, Annette Pohlke, David Simmons, Alexia Hudson, and Gloria Clark. Many thanks!