Recent research indicates that effective online educational design should involve some form of establishing rules of engagement, or social norms. Classrooms and online spaces are both cultures that form and break apart quickly; they are bounded by the constraints of the single-term educational model. If established social norms are the glue that binds societies together, then it is important to be explicit about establishing the norms of a classroom society as soon as possible during the bounded term. Social networks and wikis promise new environments for student interaction beyond the traditional classroom. Like other technologies, however, these platforms do not inherently produce vibrant collaborative communities. Just as trust and mutual respect are key qualities of successful classroom interaction, truly effective online student communities must negotiate rules for behavior, interaction, and engagement. Establishing a social contract supports a vital online community of inquiry. In blended classes -- which combine co-present and web-mediated interaction -- contracts that address both settings are particularly effective. This research bulletin provides examples of successful student social contracts and describes students' views on the impact of the social contract on their learning.