Community Guidelines

1. Our Community Values

Flin is more than a marketplace—it's a community of students supporting each other's college journey. Our guidelines are built on core values that make Flin a positive space for everyone:

2. Respectful Communication

2.1 Be Kind and Constructive

Remember there's a real person behind every profile. Communicate with empathy and understanding.

• ✅ Do: Use respectful language, give constructive feedback, and be patient with new users
• ❌ Don't: Use offensive language, personal attacks, or deliberately hurtful comments
• ✅ Do: Disagree respectfully and focus on ideas, not individuals
• ❌ Don't: Engage in name-calling, bullying, or harassment

2.2 No Discrimination or Hate Speech

Flin welcomes students from all backgrounds. We have zero tolerance for discrimination based on:

• Race, ethnicity, or national origin
• Religion or beliefs
• Sexual orientation or gender identity
• Disability or medical conditions
• Socioeconomic status
• Academic performance or major
• Physical appearance

2.3 Appropriate Content

Keep all content appropriate for a diverse student community:

• No explicit content: Sexual, violent, or graphic material
• No illegal activities: Drug use, underage drinking, or illegal services
• No spam: Repetitive posting or irrelevant content
• No scams: Fraudulent schemes or deceptive practices

3. Academic Integrity Standards

3.1 Prohibited Academic Activities

Flin supports honest academic achievement. The following activities are strictly forbidden:

• Selling completed assignments: Essays, homework, projects, or lab reports
• Test materials: Exam questions, answer keys, or test banks
• Academic services: Writing services, test-taking services, or project completion
• Plagiarism tools: Software or services that facilitate academic dishonesty
• Grade manipulation: Hacking systems or falsifying academic records

3.2 Allowed Academic Support

We encourage legitimate academic collaboration and support:

• ✅ Tutoring services: Teaching concepts and study strategies
• ✅ Study groups: Collaborative learning and discussion
• ✅ Educational materials: Textbooks, study guides, and legitimate resources
• ✅ Academic tools: Calculators, software licenses, and productivity apps
• ✅ Peer support: Study tips, time management advice, and motivation

3.3 Honor Code Compliance

Respect your institution's honor code and academic policies. When in doubt about what's allowed, check with your professors or academic integrity office.

4. Marketplace Standards

4.1 Honest Listings

Create accurate, detailed listings that represent items fairly:

• Accurate descriptions: Include condition, size, age, and any defects
• Real photos: Use actual photos of the item you're selling
• Fair pricing: Price items reasonably based on condition and market value
• Clear terms: Specify pickup/delivery options, payment methods, and return policies

4.2 Reliable Transactions

Be a trustworthy buyer and seller:

• Follow through: Complete transactions as agreed
• Communicate clearly: Respond promptly and honestly to messages
• Be punctual: Arrive on time for scheduled meetups
• Handle disputes fairly: Work together to resolve issues before involving Flin support

4.3 Prohibited Items

Certain items cannot be sold on Flin for safety and legal reasons:

• Illegal substances: Drugs, alcohol (for underage users), tobacco products
• Weapons: Firearms, knives, pepper spray, or other weapons
• Dangerous items: Chemicals, fireworks, or hazardous materials
• Stolen goods: Items that don't belong to you
• Counterfeit items: Fake designer goods or unauthorized replicas
• Adult content: Sexually explicit materials or services
• Live animals: Pets or other animals
• Prescription items: Medications or medical devices

5. Housing Guidelines

5.1 Legitimate Housing Offers

When posting housing opportunities:

• Verify authority: Ensure you have the right to sublet or offer the space
• Accurate information: Provide truthful details about location, price, and amenities
• Real photos: Use current, accurate photos of the actual space
• Clear terms: Specify lease length, utilities, rules, and requirements

5.2 Housing Safety

Prioritize safety in housing arrangements:

• Meet in public first: Meet potential roommates in safe, public locations
• Verify identity: Confirm the person is a legitimate student
• Visit in person: See the property before committing
• Read contracts: Understand all lease terms and legal obligations
• Trust your instincts: Don't proceed if something feels wrong

5.3 Fair Housing Practices

Follow fair housing laws and practices. Do not discriminate based on protected characteristics when selecting roommates or tenants.

6. Event Guidelines

6.1 Appropriate Events

Events should be suitable for the student community:

• Student-focused: Academic, social, career, or recreational events
• Safe environments: Well-organized events with appropriate supervision
• Legal activities: Events that comply with campus and local laws
• Inclusive: Events open to all students or clearly defined groups

6.2 Event Posting Standards

When promoting events:

• Complete information: Date, time, location, cost, and contact details
• Age requirements: Clearly state any age restrictions
• Safety measures: Include relevant safety information or precautions
• Cancellation policy: How attendees will be notified of changes

6.3 Prohibited Events

Certain types of events are not allowed on Flin:

• Illegal activities: Events involving underage drinking, drug use, or other illegal activities
• Dangerous gatherings: Events with significant safety risks
• Discriminatory events: Events that exclude based on protected characteristics
• Commercial scams: MLM presentations or fraudulent business opportunities

7. Privacy and Personal Information

7.1 Protect Personal Information

Keep yourself and others safe by protecting personal information:

• Don't share: Social Security numbers, bank details, or passwords
• Limit location sharing: Use general campus areas instead of specific addresses
• Be cautious with contact info: Consider using Flin's messaging system initially
• Protect others: Don't post photos or information about others without permission

7.2 Report Privacy Violations

If someone shares your personal information without permission or you see privacy violations, report them immediately to Flin support.

8. Reporting and Enforcement

8.1 How to Report Violations

Help keep Flin safe by reporting guideline violations:

• In-app reporting: Use the report button on posts, messages, or profiles
• Email support: Contact contact@flin.college with "Community Guidelines Violation" in the subject
• Emergency situations: Contact local authorities first, then notify Flin
• Provide details: Include screenshots, timestamps, and description of the violation

8.2 Our Response Process

When violations are reported, we:

• Review promptly: Investigate reports within 24-48 hours
• Take appropriate action: Remove content, warn users, or suspend accounts
• Protect reporters: Keep reporter identities confidential when possible
• Follow up: Notify reporters about actions taken (within privacy constraints)

8.3 Consequences for Violations

Depending on the severity and frequency of violations:

• Content removal: Posts, listings, or messages that violate guidelines
• Warnings: Formal notices about policy violations
• Feature restrictions: Temporary loss of posting or messaging privileges
• Account suspension: Temporary removal from the platform
• Permanent ban: Complete removal for serious or repeated violations
• Legal action: Referral to authorities for illegal activities

8.4 Appeal Process

If you believe enforcement action was taken in error, you can appeal by contacting contact@flin.college with "Appeal" in the subject line. Include your account information and explanation of why you believe the action was incorrect.

9. Building a Positive Community

9.1 Ways to Contribute

Help make Flin an amazing place for all students:

• Welcome new members: Help new students learn how to use Flin effectively
• Share knowledge: Offer helpful tips and advice to fellow students
• Give honest feedback: Leave fair reviews and ratings for transactions
• Report issues: Help maintain community standards by reporting violations
• Spread positivity: Celebrate successes and support struggling students

9.2 Student Success Stories

We love celebrating when students help each other succeed. Share your positive Flin experiences to inspire others and show the power of our community.

9.3 Feedback and Suggestions

Your input helps us improve Flin. Share suggestions for new features, policy improvements, or community initiatives at contact@flin.college with "Community Feedback" in the subject.

10. Staying Updated

These Community Guidelines may be updated to reflect new features, legal requirements, or community needs. We will notify users of material changes through:

• In-app notifications
• Email announcements
• Updates on our website
• Social media posts

Continue using Flin after guideline updates indicates your acceptance of the new guidelines.

11. Contact and Support

Questions about these Community Guidelines? Need help with a community issue? We're here to help:

We typically respond within 24-48 hours. For urgent safety issues, include "URGENT" in your subject line.