Community Guidelines

For members.

Read the Community Guidelines →

Welcome & Purpose

GradPlan is a community built for students who want to turn their classes, connections, and curiosity into real experience. These guidelines exist so every member, from freshmen figuring out a first resume to seniors launching capstone projects, feels safe, supported, and able to grow. When you join, you agree to help us keep this a respectful, productive space where peers can build skills, share feedback, and graduate with an advantage.

Core Values

Show up to grow

Come ready to learn, share, and take small steps toward bigger goals. Progress matters more than perfection.

Lift others as you climb

Help classmates, mentees, and collaborators succeed. Your growth and theirs are connected.

Keep it real

Be honest about your experience, your questions, and your limits. Authenticity builds trust and a credible personal brand.

Stay curious and kind

Ask questions, give feedback gently, and assume good intent. Everyone is at a different point.

Prohibited Conduct

The following behaviors harm our community and are not allowed at GradPlan meetups, in the member portal, or in any member interaction.

Harassment or discrimination

  • Targeting someone based on race, gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation, nationality, or any other identity
  • Using slurs, threats, or unwanted repeated messages

Bullying or intimidation

  • Mocking, humiliating, or pressuring another member
  • Public call-outs meant to shame someone

Spam or self-promotion

  • Posting unrelated links, job ads, or personal sales pitches
  • Mass direct messages promoting products or services

Dishonesty or misrepresentation

  • Claiming work you did not do or projects you did not complete
  • Inflating metrics, plagiarizing, or faking credentials

Disruption of meetups or collaboration

  • Interrupting sessions, dominating conversation, or sabotaging group work
  • Ignoring Community Manager guidance or repeatedly derailing breakout rooms

Threats or unsafe behavior

  • Violence, self-harm, doxxing, or sharing private information
  • Posting addresses, phone numbers, or threatening messages

Expected Behaviors

We expect every member to contribute to a community that feels welcoming and useful.

  • Introduce yourself and your goals so others know how to support you
  • Participate respectfully in meetups and breakout rooms
  • Share resources, opportunities, and feedback that help others
  • Honor commitments to collaborators and project teams
  • Respect privacy and keep shared personal information confidential
  • Celebrate progress and give credit where it is due

Content Rules

Content shared in GradPlan spaces should help members build skills, projects, and professional confidence.

  • Keep posts and profiles relevant to skill-building, projects, and career development
  • Cite sources when sharing data, research, or quotes
  • Only share material you have permission to use; respect copyright
  • Avoid graphic, explicit, or overly political content in community spaces
  • Use clear, accessible language so the widest range of members can participate

Reporting Process

If you see something that violates these guidelines, report concerns to the GradPlanHQ team through the designated support or reporting channel. Include what happened, when, and who was involved. We review every report confidentially and aim to respond within 48 hours. Retaliation against anyone who reports in good faith is not allowed. If you are ever in immediate danger, please contact local emergency services or your campus safety office.

Consequences

Violations are handled fairly and proportionally. Our goal is to correct behavior, protect members, and preserve the integrity of the community.

  • First violation: a private reminder and guidance on how to align with the guidelines
  • Repeated or moderate violation: a temporary suspension from meetups or messaging features
  • Serious violation: permanent removal from the GradPlan community
  • Illegal activity: reported to the appropriate authorities

Accessibility & Inclusivity Commitment

GradPlan is committed to making our community accessible and welcoming to all students. We use plain language, provide captions and transcripts for recorded meetups when available, and encourage members to share accommodation needs with a Community Manager. We actively seek diverse perspectives and believe that different backgrounds, experiences, and abilities make our community stronger. If you need an accommodation or have a suggestion for improving accessibility, please let us know.