Land Policy Institute - Ask the Expert Forums

1. About the Ask the Expert Forums

2. General Forum Rules & Disclaimer

About the Ask the Expert Forums

The Land Policy Institute created the Ask the Expert online discussion forums to build stronger linkages between the expertise of faculty and other higher education experts, and citizens, professionals, government officials, media and students in the areas of land use and sustainable development. Through the forums, the public can ask experts questions online, and see posted expert responses based on research and other information. Participating experts are affiliated with Michigan State University, Wayne State University, Grand Valley State University, the University of Michigan, and other higher education institutions, as well as from outside academia.

There are nine Ask the Expert forums, including:

• New Thinking about Economic Growth
• Smart Growth and Placemaking Strategies
• Government Role in Land Use
• Natural Resources
• Energy and Sustainability
• Agriculture/Food Systems
• Transportation/Transit
• Educating the Public
• Social Issues

Forum discussions in progress can be viewed from the Index page by clicking on a forum name. The scope of each forum (listing of sub-topics the forum covers) can be found on the home page of each forum at "About this Forum." Guests are welcome to view postings to forums, but will not be given access to post questions or to comment on a question thread until they are registered as a Member. A guest can become a Member of Ask the Expert by clicking on "Register" in the forums menu and completing the brief form. Once an account is created, a Member can log in and ask questions or post comments in any of the forums. Members are able to update their individual profile anytime and include as much or as little information as they would like.

Maintaining Member status is based on responsible use. Click on "FAQ" on the forums home page to view the General Forum Rules and Disclaimer. A forum moderator oversees each forum and has the authority to block from further use any member who uses a forum inappropriately or who posts inappropriate questions or comments.

Guests and Members are invited to learn more about experts, including their particular area(s) of expertise, by doing an "Expert Search" using either an expert's last name or the forum name. There is also a clickable Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section on the home page of each forum.

The first three topics in each forum are "sticky" or permanent topics, including "About This Forum," "Forum Rules & Disclaimer," and "FAQ About..." These topics are non-postable and subject to change by the forums Administrator. FAQ's within each forum will be updated monthly.

Forum Members interested in contacting the Land Policy Institute should click on "Contact Us" in the forums menu. Any questions, comments and concerns about the Ask the Expert forums should be emailed to asktheexpert@landpolicy.msu.edu.  

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General Ask the Expert Forum Rules and Disclaimer

Forum Rules:

Please read the following rules and regulations before posting a question or comment. By doing a quick review of the FAQ section, clickable from the top of the main page of each forum, you may find that your question has previously been addressed.

• The Ask the Expert forums are English speaking only.
• Use clean language, no swearing is allowed.
• Be respectful of other members' opinions, views and beliefs (i.e. religion, race, sex, etc.).
• The forums are intended for asking and answering questions only and should not be used as chat rooms between members for posting personal information unless related to a specific question.
• Hacking and spamming (posting unrelated material) of the forums are not allowed. Any member suspected of doing either will be immediately removed from the forums and blocked from further use.
• Posting Guidelines: Refrain from posting in all CAPS, using excessive punctuation marks and unnecessary symbols, or excessive use of font type-settings, (i.e. posting your message in bold or in color).
• Please refrain from double posting a question or response. If your question is not answered within 48 hours, report the issue to the forum administrator at asktheexpert@landpolicy.msu.edu.  
• All members are encouraged to report abuse of the forums to the forum administrator by emailing asktheexpert@landpolicy.msu.edu. Please do not post this information in the forums.

Note: Any member whose posting is deemed inappropriate may result in that member being banned or removed from the Ask the Expert forums.

Forum Disclaimer:

Access to Michigan State University's Land Policy Institute (heretofore called LPI) Ask the Expert online discussion Forums, and use of its Contents, is at your sole discretion and risk. Whilst LPI has taken reasonable measures to ensure that the Contents are accurate and up-to-date, it accepts no responsibility for any action taken by any person or organization as a result, direct or otherwise, of information contained in, or accessed through, the Forums, whether provided by LPI experts or a third party. The Forums and the Contents are provided on an "as-is" basis, and LPI makes no warranties or representations about the Forums or any of the Contents, including without limitation (i) the timeliness, currency, accuracy, completeness, reliability, continued availability or fitness for any particular purpose of the Forums and the Contents, (ii) that the use of the Forums will be error-free, secure and uninterrupted, (iii) that LPI will correct any defects or that the Forums will be free from viruses or other harmful codes, and (iv) that the Contents or the Forums do not infringe any third-party rights. To the greatest extent permissible by applicable laws, LPI excludes any such warranties and representations that may otherwise be implied and excludes all liability with respect to the Forums, the Contents, or any use thereof.

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