MBA Student Engagement Best Practices & Guidelines

These guidelines outline shared expectations for how MBA students communicate with and engage with one another across official and informal channels.  They are designed to support the growth of a respectful and inclusive interactive community.

These guidelines apply to student-to-student communication across:

  • Email communications (including MBA Class Listservs)
  • Messaging platforms (e.g., Slack, WhatsApp, GroupMe)
  • Social media used to promote MBA-affiliated activities
  • In-person promotion and engagement related to student activities (e.g. Life@Wharton, posters)

These guidelines are intended to complement, not replace, University of Pennsylvania policies (including those listed at the end of this document).  All students are expected to comply with all University policies.

BEST PRACTICES

Community Engagement

Disagreement and debate are a healthy part of an academic community; however, they must be conducted in ways that uphold mutual respect and community trust.

When engaging with others, students are asked to:

  • Engage constructively, even in disagreement
  • Acknowledge that diverse viewpoints and perspectives have value
  • Avoid targeting, harassment, intimidation, or exclusion
  • Assume good intent and provide allowances for mistakes
  • Give respect to receive respect

Emails and Messaging

Across all communication platforms, students should:

  • Think carefully before posting or sending messages
  • Avoid the overuse of broadcast tools
  • Share information responsibly and accurately
  • Refrain from sharing confidential or sensitive information

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT GUIDELINES

Class Listserv and Life@Wharton Usage

These platforms are for University, MBA Program, and WGA-approved club communications only and are moderated by the MBA Program Office.

  • Groups, events, and resources promoted must be open to all MBA students
  • Materials marketing events that conflict with class will not be approved
  • Personal sales and advertisements of products or services are not permitted
  • Materials from individuals not affiliated with the University, MBA Program, or WGA-approved club will not be approved for distribution
  • Listserv communications must be sent by a representative of a WGA-approved club or conference.  This includes the marketing of tickets, swag, or similar items
  • WGA-approved clubs and conferences are limited to three listserv emails per academic year – one during the post-Club Pub email blitz (usually 48 hours following Club Pub) for recruitment purposes and 2 additional emails at any time during the school year

Marketing Events Involving Alcohol

All student communications and advertisements must comply with University policy and applicable law:

Consistent with Pennsylvania law, advertisements of social events shall not promote nor describe the availability of alcoholic beverages; nor shall such advertisements promote the consumption of alcohol by minors.

When marketing events:

  • Do not reference alcohol availability, drink specials, or alcohol-centered messaging in event promotions
  • Do not use imagery or language that emphasizes alcohol consumption
  • Ensure event messaging focuses on the purpose and experience of the event, not alcohol

QUESTIONS

The MBA Program Office monitors official communication channels and may intervene if these guidelines are not followed.  Students and student leaders with questions about appropriate communication or event promotion are encouraged to contact the MBA Program Office before sharing communications broadly.

UNIVERSITY POLICIES & RESOURCES

The following University resources provide additional context and guidance related to these expectations, and may be amended or replaced by successor policies. Links reflect current University policies and may be updated over time.

Updated: 4/28/26