Acceptable Use Policy

ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY FOR STUDENTS
USING COMPUTER RESOURCES AT MT. SAN JACINTO COLLEGE

Background

Mt. San Jacinto College offers access to the Internet, email, and a variety of software application programs for the purposes of furthering the pursuit of constructive educational goals and promoting collaboration in the learning environment.  Currently available programs include a wide range of products that enable students to use word processing, database management, spreadsheet, and presentation software.  In addition, numerous academic support software programs are available in the learning centers to provide assistance in skills development in a number of educational areas.  Assistive technologies are available throughout the college for individuals with disabilities or special needs.  The libraries maintain on-line catalogs of their collections and provide access to a large number of subscription databases.  Additional software is available to support specialized programs in computer mapping and animation, multimedia, and automotive technologies.  The college is committed to providing access to current and emerging technologies.

The computing facilities of Mt. San Jacinto College are for the use of currently enrolled students and members of the community as approved by the appropriate department.  These facilities include work stations in the instructional computer labs, learning centers, libraries, technology classrooms, and any other locations where students access technology.

What Is Expected?

In the interest of promoting academic freedom and with the understanding that students attending a community college are recognized as mature and responsible adults, the college maintains an open and unfiltered system with regard to Internet access.  However, all students are expected to comply with district standards and the specific rules set forth below.  In addition to these general rules, students are expected to abide by the specific rules and regulations posted in computer lab areas.  The use of Mt. San Jacinto College technology resources is a privilege, not a right, and may be revoked if abused.  The user is personally responsible for his/her actions in accessing and utilizing the college’s computer resources.  Sanctions as identified in the Student Code of Conduct will be imposed on students who violate the provisions of the Acceptable Use Policy.

What Are the Rules?

Computer Usage

Network administrators have the right to review communications when necessary to safeguard system integrity.  MSJC cannot guarantee the confidentiality of any file or electronic communication utilizing the college’s computer resources. 

Storage Capacity

Students are expected to save all work on portable storage media, e.g., floppy disks, CD-RW, or zip disks.  Saving anything to the hard drive is permitted only when directed by faculty or area personnel.

Copyright Issues

Students may not download, install, or otherwise copy any commercial software, copyrighted material, shareware, or freeware onto network drives or disks unless they have written permission from the appropriate area personnel.

Inappropriate Language or Materials

Since the college’s computer labs are public areas, students shall not access Internet sites that contain pornography, gratuitous violence, non-instructional game interaction, or any material that is deemed to be offensive to others and that is not consistent with Mt. San Jacinto College’s Student Code of Conduct and/or the laws of the United States.  The intent of this provision is not to limit academic freedom but to respect the sensibilities of others using these facilities.  Students who are doing legitimate academic research on a subject that may be controversial must notify the lab monitor before using the computer to access this material.

Commercial Use

Students may not use the Internet or computing facilities at Mt. San Jacinto College for commercial purposes, financial gain, gambling, personal business, advertising, business endorsements, spamming, lobbying, or other commercial activities.

Guidelines

Appropriate computer usage at Mt. San Jacinto College includes the following:

• Accessing distance learning resources including interactive communications
• Working on class assignments
• Working on educational software
• Conducting research for educational use
• Conducting a library search
• Conducting career or college research
• Working on training software or learning new software
• Receiving and/or sending e-mail

Priority use of instructional computer labs is outlined below.  These guidelines will be followed when all computers in a lab are in use, and others are waiting to use them.

• Students have priority over other users.
• A time limit as determined by each lab area will be posted.
• Students who have gone over their time limit may be asked to sign out if the lab is full and others are waiting.
• Certain activities, as determined by each lab area, have priority over others.

Users are not permitted to use MSJC’s computer labs to do the following:

• Access or alter system files
• Permanently change defaults or settings such as colors, desk tops, screen savers, and/or icons.
• Download files onto the hard drive.  (Downloading files onto a personal disk is permissible unless restricted by copyright.)

Students are encouraged to notify a supervisor immediately if they observe violations of the Acceptable Use Policy.

Acceptable Use of Student E-mail Systems
Approved 04/04/2008

The use of Mt. San Jacinto College e-mail is intended to benefit the student.  The account allows students to correspond with teachers and college members, and to receive important communications from the college.  The district reserves the right to deny, revoke, or suspend specific user accounts after due process in accordance with student code of conduct policies.  The college does not encourage or support the use of non-college email accounts for communications between the college, faculty and students.

Acceptable Use
It is acceptable to use the College e-mail access for purposes relating directly to education, research, or job seeking.  College e-mail should be checked regularly. Students should use the e-mail resources in an ethical manner.

The College's e-mail resources may be used for:         

• Communications between the college and its students, faculty, staff and other authorized persons when engaging in activities or clubs related to the College;
• Student-to-student communication for academic collaboration;
• Communications related to research for academic endeavors; and
• Incidental use of college e-mail is permitted when the use does not interfere with college operations and is in compliance with this policy.

Unacceptable Use
It is not acceptable to use the College e-mail in such a way as to interfere with or disrupt network users, services, or equipment.

The College's e-mail resources may not be used for:         

• Commercial activities and other activities conducted for personal gain;
• Transmitting or storing: 
• Obscene, profane, abusive, defamatory, derogatory, threatening, harassing or stalking,  or sexually explicit language or graphic representation;
• Statements or graphic representations that may be construed as discriminatory or offensive by reference to race, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, or other legally protected criteria;
• Propagation of computer worms, viruses, Trojan horses, or chain letters;
• Political fundraising or lobbying; and
• Any action that violates the MSJC Student Code of Conduct.

Enforcement
Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action, including dismissal, revocation of the user's account, and any appropriate legal action.

Privacy
Users should protect their passwords, and take the precautions necessary to prevent unauthorized use of their account.  Users may not impersonate other individuals or misrepresent themselves in any way.  College e-mail administrators will not routinely monitor an individual’s e-mail and will take reasonable precautions to protect the privacy of e-mail.  However, e-mail is NOT completely confidential and private.  College e-mail system administrators and/or other authorized persons may access email:

• When there is a reasonable basis to believe that this policy or law has been violated;
• To diagnose and resolve technical problems involving system hardware or software; and
• As otherwise permitted by law.

As a user of the MSJC computer network, I agree to comply with the above stated rules and to use the network in a constructive manner.

AUP Approved ICTC  Feb 2004
Email AUP Approved ICTC April 2008