EVE University Rules

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Revision as of 14:28, 14 December 2016 by Laura Karpinski (talk | contribs) (Clarifying rule on neutrality)
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EVE University and its alliance Ivy League are unlike most other corporations in EVE Online. They were created to assist new players through the steep learning curve of EVE Online, with the expectation that those players will eventually move on to other corporations.

Like many corporations in EVE Online we ask our members to follow a set of rules. These rules are designed to provide a welcoming learning environment for our members, but also to preserve EVE University's neutrality in New Eden. Neutrality is important to us because it means that our members are free to move on to any other corporation they want to after they leave EVE University.

By joining EVE University our members agree to follow these rules. If they break the rules they face disciplinary action which may include being removed from EVE University.

Code of Conduct

Our members are honest in their dealings both with one another and the community

EVE University members are honest and trustworthy. They do not lie, cheat or deceive. This means that if one of our members agrees to fight another player on certain terms (for example, 1v1) those terms will be honoured. It also means our members do not scam each other or anyone else.

Our members treat all players both inside and outside EVE University with respect

EVE University members are expected to be respectful. We do not tolerate personal attacks, 'smack talk' or abuse. Members should not spam chat channels, engage in ransoming or can flipping. If a member finds a ship in space without a pilot, or an unanchored player owned structure, they may take it.

Our members keep all communication free of inappropriate content

While we appreciate that losing your ship can be upsetting, members should avoid profanity where possible. While occasional mild profanity may be tolerated, it should not be common. We do not tolerate any racist, sexist or otherwise offensive language or discussion. Conversation about clearly divisive topics, such as real-world politics or religion, should be avoided. Sexual or off-colour comments should also be avoided.

Our members do not violate the EVE Online End User Licence Agreement (EULA) or Terms of Service

CCP, the developers of EVE Online, set out an End User Licence Agrement and Terms of Service when players sign up to play EVE Online. These must be followed at all times. This means for example that members cannot share accounts with other people, give their account away to someone else or purchase ISK or items for real money (aside from PLEX from CCP approved retailers). They also must not harass new players in the starting "rookie" systems. EVE University strictly upholds these rules, and any member found to have violated the EULA or the terms of service will be removed from the corporation.

Our members are free to make their own choices

EVE University does not require members to live in certain star-systems or log in at specific times. EVE Online is a sandbox, and members are encouraged to try out any areas of the game they want, as long as their actions do not conflict with the EVE University rules. We have no minimum activity requirements, though we do remove members who have not logged into the game for more than 60 days. If members are removed for inactivity they are welcome to apply to rejoin EVE University when they are active in EVE Online again.

Our members are encouraged to balance "self" with "service"

When our members first join EVE University, they will be focused on learning how the game works and trying out what EVE University has to offer. However, once our members have gained some experience and knowledge, they are encouraged to pass this on to other players. EVE University is run by volunteers, and relies a great deal on members helping and supporting each other. For this reason once our members are sufficiently experienced they are expected to help others also.

Neutrality

EVE University is neutral to other corporations and groups in EVE Online. This means that our members have a wide range of options when they leave to join another corporation. It also means we are able to share our public resources with the largest possible audience. However remaining neutral does require us to place some restrictions on our members which they may not find in other corporations.

Our members must not attend or get involved in any structure conflicts which do not involve EVE University structures. "Involvement" includes, but is not limited to: attacking or activating an entosis link on a structure, participating in the defence of a structure, attacking or assisting players doing any of the above, as well as intentionally targeting fleets travelling to or from any such operation. This applies regardless of the location or ownership of the structure.

Special rules for different areas of space

In EVE Online each system has a "security level" and there are various different areas of space. These are high security space (high sec), low security space (low sec), null security space (null sec) - which can be either owned by NPCs or by players - and wormholes. In general, our members are allowed to enter any of these areas of space either to fight other players, which is known as PVP, or to do things like mining, mission running, etc., which is known as PVE. However one area of space has some specific rules:

While in a wormhole which is controlled by one of our allies, members should not run any wormhole sites, mine or do any other PVE activities. We would consider the wormhole to be 'controlled' by one of our allies if there are any player owned structures in the wormhole belonging to an allied corporation or alliance. Allies will have a blue cross next to their corporation or alliance picture and will have a blue box next to them on your overview, provided you are using the correct EVE University overview, which members are asked to do during the application process.

Rules of Engagement

While EVE University is neutral, we are not pacifist. Our members are allowed to engage in PVP against other players. Provided they are using the correct EVE University overview, members are allowed to engage anyone with a flashing icon next to their name or flashing in their overview. These are either players we are at war with, players who have taken aggressive action against you, players who have a very low security status, or players who have committed a criminal or suspect action in-game like stealing from a yellow can or engaging a non legal target. Bear in mind that if you activate an aggressive module on anyone in high sec or low sec space it will generate a 'Limited Engagement' which allows them to shoot you back.

Outside this, we have certain 'rules of engagement' which our members must follow at all times. EVE University operates broadly by two different rules for engagement:

Not Red, Don't Shoot - In high sec space

In high sec we operate "Not red, don't shoot", which is abbreviated to NRDS. This means you can only shoot players who have a red or flashy box next to their name on the overview and in local. Remember that if you shoot someone who is not a legal target (i.e. not 'flashy') in high sec CONCORD will destroy your ship. It will also affect your security status.

Not Blue, Shoot It - Everywhere else

In low sec, null sec and wormholes we operate "Not blue, shoot it", which is abbreviated to NBSI. This means that any player is a valid target unless they have a blue box next to their name on the overview or in local. You should bear in mind that in low sec shooting another player will affect your security status, unless they are a legal target (i.e. they are 'flashy'). You may also be shot at by gate guns if you shoot another player who is not a legal target close to a gate. This is not a concern in null sec and wormholes as they do not have gate guns.

Additional rules

  • EVE University members should not shoot other members of EVE University, Ivy League or the fleet without the agreement of everyone involved. The only exception to this is in extreme circumstances where this has been authorised by a manager.
  • If a player carries out an illegal aggressive action against another player (such as shooting them) the victim will obtain a kill right over the aggressor. This gives them the right to attack that player later on. These kill rights can be given away or traded. Members may buy and sell killrights, but they should not activate them against any pilot with positive standings from the University (blue marker in local and on the overview).

Who can our members shoot and where

Whether an EVE University member is allowed to take aggressive action against another player depends on the other player's standing towards EVE University (which will be apparent from the colour of the box next to their name in local or or your overview) and also the security level of the system. This table sets out the rules:

Standing of the other player All Space W-Space Null-sec Low-sec High-sec Note
Being aggressed Outlaw/
Criminal/Suspect
Plus10.png Tick.png Cross.png Cross.png Cross.png Cross.png Cross.png Players with blue standings are our allies, so EVE University members may not attack them at any time. The only exception is if they attack you first (which should not happen). If that does happen you may shoot back to defend yourself, but if possible you should just leave the situation. If they stop shooting you should not chase them. You should immediately report the incident to a diplomat as they will need to investigate why this happened and contact the corporation in question.
Plus5.png Tick.png Cross.png Cross.png Cross.png Cross.png Cross.png
Neutral.png Tick.png Tick.png Tick.png Tick.png Tick.png Cross.png Players who have no colour box next to their name are neutral players. They have neither good or bad standings with us. They can be attacked anywhere except in high security space.
Minus5.png Tick.png Tick.png Tick.png Tick.png Tick.png Cross.png Players who have an orange box next to their name in the overview or in local have bad standings towards EVE University. This means we have a history of our members fighting with them. This is not a bad thing, it generates content for members who want to do PVP. These players can be attacked in any kind of space except for in high sec space.
Minus10.png Tick.png Tick.png Tick.png Tick.png Tick.png Tick.png Players who have a red box next to their name in the overview or in local have terrible standings towards EVE University. This normally means they are either war targets (i.e. part of a corporation which is at war with Ivy League), alt characters of known war targets or members of a corporation which was very recently at war with Ivy League. They can be attacked anywhere, including in high sec (though bear in mind you will lose security status and CONCORD will destroy your ship if you attack them in high sec).
War.png Tick.png Tick.png Tick.png Tick.png Tick.png Tick.png Players with a white star on a red background, which is flashing, are war targets. This means they can attack EVE University members anywhere in space without CONCORD destroying their ship. However, it also means our members can attack them also. If you are not in a PVP ship or not ready to PVP you should avoid engaging war targets. If you are in a non-PVP ship like a mining ship or hauler you should try to dock up as soon as possible.

These rules apply even if EVE University members are in a public fleet or a fleet with people who are not members of EVE University. They should make sure that they have the correct EVE University overview set up at all times and that they check the targets carefully to make sure they are following EVE University's rules of engagement. If a member is in a fleet which is attacking allies of EVE University, even if the member is not shooting personally, they may be assumed by the allies to be aggressive or a spy. This can cause diplomatic problems for EVE University, so it should be avoided where possible.

Security Status

If players take aggressive actions against other players in EVE Online, who are not 'legal targets' and are in space with a security level above 0, their security status will fall. A low security status has various consequences in game. It may result in the local faction police shooting at players if you enter a system, and if it falls very low the player may become a legal target for all other players. Members should be aware that regardless of EVE University's rules there are in-game consequences to having security status below -2, in that they will start to be hunted by faction police in certain high sec systems. This may affect their game play and the type of fleets they can join.

EVE University has a minimum level for security status, as follows:

-3.99 or higher: Players may join EVE University, receive titles and join campuses.
-4.0 to -4.99: Players may not join EVE University, and members may not receive any new titles.
-5.0 to -10.0: Members risk being removed from EVE University.

Any member who becomes a finalist in an official PVP tournament hosted by CCP is exempt from these requirements.

Sobriety

In general members should not assume a leadership or command role in a fleet if they are intoxicated, as it risks the safety of the fleet. Sometimes exceptions are made for pre-announced fleets and events.

Fleet streaming

Members are allowed to stream fleets and events if they wish to, but they must get specific permission from the person leading the fleet (the fleet commander or 'FC'). Other fleet members should be informed that the fleet is being streamed, so they can choose whether to take part or not. The stream should be on at least a 5 minute delay and any system locations should be hidden for the protection of the fleet.

Communications in EVE University

Chat channels

During fleets members should not talk in the local chat channel. The exception is that a fleet commander may ask fleet members to post 'GF' (meaning 'good fight') in local after a fleet engagement, to congratulate and thank the other players.

EVE University has a long list of chat channels and mailing lists. If people leave EVE University or stop playing EVE Online then EVE University loses control over any channels which they created while they were a member. For this reason, members should not make any chat channels or mailing lists using the name of EVE University, or for EVE University specific projects. Instead they should ask the CEO to create the channel for them.

Mumble

EVE University uses Mumble for voice communications, including for fleets. Normally members are welcome to chat in mumble at any time, but the exception is that most fleets will use "combat comms". This means that generally nobody should talk in mumble apart from the fleet commander and the scouts. The idea of this is to keep mumble clear so the fleet can follow instructions easily. Of course, every fleet commander will have their own preference, and some may allow a more relaxed style.

If fleet members are chatting in mumble and someone says "break break" this means something which is important to the fleet is happening, and all members should stop talking immediately so the message can be given.

Members should only join a fleet in mumble if they are a member of that fleet, or invited to listen by the fleet commander. This is to avoid possible spies listening in on fleets and reporting their location to our enemies. Directors may sometimes listen in on fleets at their discretion.

Killboard

EVE University has a Killboard which automatically collects data about all member ship kills and ship losses. This is updated around once per hour.

Members should comment on all their ship losses, describing the situation which lead to the loss. This is not a punishment, but a way to reflect on their actions and what they have learned. It also assists fleet commanders and our diplomats, who will sometimes need to know the story behind a ship loss. If members do not comment on their ship losses this may affect their ability to obtain additional access within EVE University.

Members should also comment on any ship kills which they consider may require further explanation. This is especially relevant where a member appears on a ship kill with other people who are not members of EVE University, where the victim is a member of EVE University or one of our allies, or where there are other unusual circumstances. EVE University management and diplomats may sometimes contact members for more information about what happened.

Discussions about EVE University

It is important for EVE University to appear neutral in terms of other corporations and alliances. For this reason we have to be careful about what our members say, as they may sometimes be assumed to be speaking for the whole of EVE University. To avoid issues, we ask members to do the following:

  • Avoid posting on the 'Corporations, Alliances and Organizations Center' of the EVE Online forums, unless they have been given permission by a Director.
  • EVE University members can post and take part in other external discussions related to EVE University itself, e.g. on the official EVE forums, Reddit, Twitter or elsewhere. However please note our Code of Conduct, specifically being honest, treating all pilots (in and out of EVE University) with respect and keeping communications free of inappropriate content - remember you are representing EVE University to the world.
  • Please make sure you only speak for yourself as an individual, not for the corporation as a whole; if you feel a certain discussion requires Director input please bring it to the attention of the management.

Looting and salvaging

In EVE Online when a ship is destroyed it leaves behind a 'wreck', which contains both loot and salvage. EVE University considers all wrecks of players ships to belong to the player who lost the ship. Therefore the following rules apply:

  • Loot and salvage from wrecks of EVE University members should be collected and given back to their owner where possible
  • EVE University members may take loot and salvage from a wreck of a ship they were allowed to fight under our rules of engagement (which are above)
  • Any other wrecks should not be touched unless they have been abandoned, which means they will be blue on the overview, or the member has the consent of the player who owns the wreck

If a fleet obtains loot or salvage from ships they have destroyed during the fleet, the Fleet Commander can use their discretion on what to do with it. This may be donating it to EVE University or one of the campuses, or dividing it between those who have lost their ships, to cover their losses. If it is divided between those who have lost their ships, the distribution should be fair to everyone.

Restricted items

EVE University has very few restrictions on ships or items our members are allowed to use. The main thing to bear in mind is "Don't fly anything you can't afford to lose". The only restrictions we have are:

  • Members must not use Mobile Siphon Units or deploy a Player Owned Structure (with their EVE University character) without permission from the CEO
  • Members must not use entosis links without approval from a Director

If you do not know what these items are, then you are unlikely to use any of them by accident.

Consequences for breaking these rules

If members breaks these rules they risk disciplinary action, which may consist of any of the following:

  • A talk from a staff member, manager or Director
  • Removal of titles and access
  • Removal from EVE University

Clarification

If you have any questions about any of these rules, please speak to one of our student advocates, or a Director.