Policies

PUBLIC STATEMENTS

HECAA is an organization with the purpose of enabling members to engage in an open, scholarly conversation around eighteenth-century art and architecture. HECAA recognizes that art, architecture, and the study of them are entangled with past and present political events beyond strictly professional spheres. As a smaller organization that values the time and labor of its members, HECAA is also mindful that it has limited resources and cannot respond to all events that may occur. To best utilize our resources, therefore, HECAA’s advocacy will be directed primarily toward enabling our members to continue to participate in open scholarly conversations, in accordance with our Statement of Values.

A statement is warranted in response to any event that undermines HECAA’s ability to enable members to engage in HECAA-related scholarly conversations around eighteenth-century art and architecture. A statement cannot be issued if it results in HECAA being in violation of its status as a non-profit organization.

When appropriate, the Board will convene and, if agreed by majority vote, will prepare and publish an accessible statement aimed at members and/or the larger public, through appropriate channels. When appropriate, HECAA will also endorse statements made by affiliated organizations, following a majority vote of the Board.

Statements are the sole responsibility of the Board. No other individual or group may write or approve statements on behalf of HECAA. The Board will consider expressions of concern from members as they arise and may seek advice from individual members or other experts, including legal counsel, as part of this process.

Recommended by the Ad-Hoc Committee 5/1/2024; Approved by the HECAA Board 10/31/2024

Logistics

Past statements have gone directly to active members and so too will any future statements. To communicate an expression of concern, HECAA members should reach out to the HECAA President at hecaa.president@gmail.com

SOCIAL MEDIA

HECAA maintains accounts on Instagram, and Facebook.

HECAA recognizes and appreciates that social media channels present a venue to participate in the continuum of the field. Media channels offer opportunities to listen, observe and expand research methods, teaching, and curatorial practices into a more inclusive and accessible space.

These guidelines provide information on the use of official HECAA social media channels. It is important to stay mindful of the overlap between personal and professional expressions posted for the public. This is especially important when research interests and lived experience intersect, as they often do.

 Anyone posting to, or responding on, HECAA social media channels must conduct themselves with respectful consideration to members and the greater public. Posts must always be considerate of the rights of others and respect the dignity of each individual. HECAA will not tolerate harassment or discrimination in any and all forms.

We ask those tasked with administering these accounts to ensure that our posts fall into one of the following categories:

  • Information about our organization’s own programs. This includes news about the conference; grant, research, or hiring opportunities; and shared information from affiliated organizations. Affiliate organizations and their members may request promotion of events of scholarly endeavors.
  • Professional news about or from our members. Members are welcome to directly message the accounts to pass on information they would like to see on the HECAA account. Members may also email that information to hecaamembers@gmail.com.
  • General engagement with visual and material culture of the long eighteenth century

Guidelines for HECAA Communications:

  • HECAA will not tolerate any content or comments that promotes, fosters, or perpetuates discrimination on any basis.
  • No confidential or proprietary information about HECAA, its employees, officers, board, committee members, or members.
  • No posting illegal, obscene, defamatory, discriminatory, or threatening content.
  • The sharing of links by HECAA does not imply endorsement by the organization of the views expressed there. Sharing external content needs to follow HECAA guidelines.
  • HECAA’s board reserves the right to delete comments and content that violate the organization’s guidelines.
  • In the event of a factual error or violation of these guidelines, appropriate edits must be made to the original post.
  •     Posts should support HECAA’s general mission (as listed in our bylaws https://hecaa18.org/constitution-bylaws/)

HECAA acknowledges the German Studies Association, whose Social Media Policy provided a model for these guidelines. [Consulted 18 March 2024 https://www.thegsa.org/about/policies-and-documents/social-media-policy.]

Recommended by the Ad-Hoc Committee 5/1/2024; Approved by the HECAA Board 10/31/2024

The HECAA Board wishes to thank members of the Ad-Hoc Committee formed in Spring 2024: Amy Freund, Laura Golobish, Karen Lipsedge, Joseph Litts, Cassie Mansfield.