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Acceptable Computer & Internet Use

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Okefenokee Technical College 2012-2013 Catalog

Technical colleges throughout the country are moving into the information age by providing computer systems and Internet access for their students and employees.

Access from technical colleges to Internet resources should be structured in ways that point students to those resources that have been evaluated prior to use. While students shall be able to move beyond those resources to others that have not been previewed by staff, they shall be provided with guidelines and lists of resources particularly suited to learning objectives. Students and employees utilizing technical college-provided Internet access are responsible for good behavior online just as they are in a classroom or other area of the college.

Using a computer without permission is theft of services and is illegal under state and federal laws. Federal law prohibits misuse of computer resources. In addition, the following specific computer crimes are prohibited by state law in Georgia:

Computer theft (including theft of computer services, intellectual property such as copyrighted material, and any other property);
Computer trespass (unauthorized use of computers to delete or alter data or interfere with others' usage);
Computer invasion of privacy (unauthorized access to financial or personal data or the like);
Computer forgery (forgery as defined by other laws, but committed on a computer rather than on paper);
Computer password disclosure (unauthorized disclosure of a password resulting in damages exceeding $500 - in practice, this includes any disclosure that requires a system security audit afterward); and
Misleading transmittal of names or trademarks (falsely identifying yourself or falsely claiming to speak for a person or organization by using their name, trademark, logo, or seal).

The purpose of technical college-provided Internet access is to facilitate communications in support of research and education. To remain eligible as users, students' use must be in support of and consistent with the educational objectives of the department. Access is a privilege, not a right. Access entails responsibility.

Users should not expect files stored on department or technical college-based computers to be private. Electronic messages and files stored on technical college-based computers shall be treated like other technical college premises that are temporarily assigned for individual use. Administrators may review files and messages in an effort to maintain system integrity and in an effort to insure that users are acting responsibly. Moreover, department and technical college officials shall cooperate with law enforcement officials who are properly authorized to search department and technical college computers and computer systems.

All information created, stored or transmitted by department or technical college computers or networks is subject to monitoring for compliance with applicable laws and policies.

The following uses of department or technical college-provided computers, networks and Internet access are not permitted:

To create, access or transmit sexually explicit, obscene, or pornographic material
To create, access or transmit material that could be considered discriminatory, offensive, threatening, harassing, intimidating, or attempts to libel or otherwise defame any person
To violate any local, state or federal statute
To vandalize, damage, or disable the property of another individual or organization
To access another individual's password, materials, information, or files without permission
To violate copyright or otherwise use the intellectual property of another individual or organization in violation of the law, including software piracy
To conduct private or personal for-profit activities. This includes use for private purposes such as business transactions, private advertising of products or services, and any activity meant to foster personal gain.
To knowingly endanger the security of any department or technical college computer or network;
To willfully interfere with another's authorized computer usage
To connect any computer to any of the department or technical college networks unless it meets technical and security standards set by the department
To create, install, or knowingly distribute a computer virus, "Trojan horse," or other surreptitiously destructive program on any department or technical college computer or network facility, regardless of whether any demonstrable harm results
To modify or reconfigure the software or hardware of any Agency computer or Network without proper authorization
To conduct unauthorized not-for-profit business activities
To conduct any activity or solicitation for political or religious causes
To perform any activity that could cause the loss, corruption of, prevention of rightful access to, or unauthorized distribution of Agency data and information
To create, access, or participate in online gambling. Occasional access to information or websites of the Georgia Lottery Corporation shall not constitute nor be considered inappropriate use

Occasional personal use of Internet connectivity and e-mail that do not involve any inappropriate use as described above may occur, if permitted by the college. Any such use should be brief, infrequent, and shall not interfere with User’s performance, duties and responsibilities.

Users of department and technical college computers and computer systems are subject to the department's policy on the development of intellectual property. Any violation of this policy and rules may result in disciplinary action against the employee or student. When and where applicable, law enforcement agencies may be involved.

The department makes no warranties of any kind, either express or implied, for the computers, computer systems and Internet access it provides. The department shall not be responsible for any damages users suffer, including but not limited to loss of data resulting from delays or interruptions in service. The department shall not be responsible for the accuracy, nature or quality of information gathered through technical college diskettes, hard drives or servers; nor for the accuracy, nature or quality of information gathered through technical college-provided Internet access. The department shall not be responsible for personal property used to access its computers or networks or for technical college-provided Internet access. The department shall not be responsible for unauthorized financial obligations resulting from technical college-provided access to the Internet.

The foregoing standards are equally applicable to employees of the department, wherever housed, and to employees and students of the technical college.

Violations of these policies incur the same types of disciplinary measures as violations of other department or technical college policies or state or federal laws, including criminal prosecution.