ADMINISTRATIVE RULE NO: B301
RELATED TO POLICY SERIES NO:
5100
TITLE: GUIDELINES FOR USING
COMPUTERS AND RELATED RESOURCES
Everyone within the LBCC
community who uses a computer or computerized resource, has the
responsibility to use these resources in an ethical and legal manner. Our use
of computers should reflect principles of academic honesty, respecting
ownership of data, the need for secure system mechanisms, and the need to
protect individual rights to privacy and freedom from intimidation, harassment,
and unwanted annoyance. The college will maintain fair access to its computer
resources consistent with the mission of the College.
PRINCIPLES
When you use any LBCC
computer resource, you agree to the following principles:
• Respect the integrity of
the computer system -- its networks, hardware, software, and files. You may
not make copies of copyrighted software or change how systems or programs are
set up on computers used by others. Read and follow the Copyright Agreements
provided by software vendors. Although LBCC has site licenses for several
programs, such site licenses do not generally allow students or staff to make
copies for off-site use. Check with Information Services for specific
information.
• Respect the data you are
using. You will not plagiarize or otherwise misuse copyrighted materials
without giving credit, gaining permission, and/or following "fair
use" guidelines (the right to use copied data in a reasonable manner
without the author's consent and for nonprofit educational purposes. These
rules consider the nature of the data, the amount of the data copied in
relation to the work as a whole, and the effect of the copying on the work's
commercial value).
As per the Digital Millennium
Copyright Act (DMCA), the LBCC web manager is the designated agent for notices
of copyright infringement by material on all LBCC web pages. If a formal notice
is received, the web manager will implement "take down" procedures as
specified in the DMCA and the departmental supervisor will be notified. Repeat
offenders will face disciplinary action following college due process
procedures.
• Respect for other users.
Using LBCC computer resources to send threatening, pornographic, or harassing
messages or materials electronically is forbidden and may lead to disciplinary
action. Also, you may not intrude upon others, for example, by reading someone
else's email, changing passwords, or sending e-mail to someone who has
requested that you not do so.
• Know and follow established
rules for using computers in different areas of the college. Many computer use facilities have specific
prohibitions about food, beverages, computer games and other use guidelines to
protect the equipment, provide equal access opportunities and respect the
rights of other users. Computer users
are expected to learn and follow the guidelines at each facility they use.
Although using their own
equipment, persons accessing the wireless network must adhere to LBCC policies
and regulations regarding computer use.
LBCC is not responsible for privately owned equipment or its damage when
attached to any portion of the college network.
• Use only programs and
files you are authorized to use. No one should obtain unauthorized access
to another user's accounts, passwords, or files. You may not enter or use
systems without authorization, and you may not represent yourself
electronically as being another person.
• Respect the intended use
of all LBCC computer resources. Students, faculty, and staff will use
college computer resources primarily for LBCC course-related learning or
research or LBCC administrative purposes. Computer labs are a very limited
resource at the college; and the restriction to learning, research, and
administrative purposes will be strictly enforced in these settings.
Appropriate use of the Internet should show restraint in the consumption of
shared resources. Unsolicited
advertising is not appropriate. LBCC computer resources shall not be used to
access, distribute, or store pornographic materials; violation of this policy
may lead to disciplinary action.
The College continuously
monitors its computer systems to ensure that it has sufficient bandwidth
available for research, learning, and administrative functions. In the event that the College discovers a use
that is consuming an extraordinary amount of bandwidth, it reserves the right
to consult with the user(s) to develop and direct plans to mitigate such
use. Further, the College reserves the
right to monitor individual computer use in extraordinary circumstances where
the College has a clear and reasonable belief that its computer resources are
being used for inappropriate or illegal purposes. The monitoring of individual computer use will
only occur when such monitoring has been approved by the Director of Human
Resources.
• Understand that e-mail
and electronic forums create a public audience. When participating in an
online discussion, you become a representative of LBCC. Once you send an e-mail
message, it can be forwarded to others. Computer users should assess this
implication in their decision to use the college email or Internet connection
for personal purposes. You are expected
to follow the LBCC email policy as listed on the LBCC Web site when sending
messages to the “Everyone” or “Public” groups.
LBCC employees or students
with an LBCC issued email address may not use their LBCC email address as
contact information on electronic auction sites for private sales.
• Recognize that legal
protections may take precedence over your rights to privacy. The Electronic Communications Privacy Act
(federal law) treats electronic mail or other records as confidential materials
and defines unauthorized attempts to access another user’s information as
unlawful behavior. Because the computer
systems are owned by the college, all files and e-mail messages are considered
college records, and are subject to public records laws. For example, a court may subpoena electronic
files and/or e-mail records for a pending case.
Any requests for release of electronic records by law enforcement agents
should not be acted upon unless explicitly authorized by the Vice President of
Administrative and Student Affairs.
Network and system operators
will carry out necessary systems tasks; to the extent possible, staff will
treat the contents of electronic files as private and confidential. In working
with Banner or other administrative electronic data, staff will recognize we
are all responsible for protecting student and staff confidentiality, and we
will not use such data for personal gain.
In summary, when you are
using computers at LBCC, college policies prohibit account theft, file theft,
violations of informational privacy, and/or harm to operating systems. If abuse
of computer systems occurs, or computer resources are used for purposes that
violate
DISCIPLINARY PROCESS
If you are an LBCC student who has received any message whether on campus or in
cyberspace that you feel is inappropriate or you observe behavior that you
believe violates this computer use policy, you should see the Dean of Student
Services. If a formal complaint for
misuse of computer resources is filed with the Dean of Student Services, the
student will be notified and may be asked to meet with the Dean in accordance
with the Students' Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct policy. Student
penalties may range from a warning to expulsion from the college.
If you are an LBCC
employee with questions about
appropriate use of computer resources, see your supervisor. Concerns about
harassment should first be referred to Human Resources. If you are reported for
misuse of computer resources, your supervisor will be notified and disciplinary
procedures will be followed as defined in association agreements and/or in
board policies. Staff penalties may range from verbal and written reprimand to
termination.
DATE OF APPROVAL: 5/28/96
DATES OF REVISION: 6/11/96, 11/25/97,
10/19/99,
4/19/05, 3/20/07