Internet Usage Policy
Guidelines
Laredo College is providing Internet access and email accounts in order to enhance the student’s learning environment with guidance from faculty and staff. The operation of the Internet relies heavily on the proper conduct of users who must adhere to the strict guidelines in this policy. Internet access is a privilege, not a right. Violations which constitute a legal offense may result in legal action. Any user violating these provisions is subject to loss of access privileges and any other disciplinary actions. Library Internet users will adhere to the Harold R. Yeary Library Internet Use Policy and Guidelines.
Purpose of this Policy
The purpose of this policy is to set forth the guidelines for the use of LC computer technologies. This statement is intended to address the following usage situations:
- use of college-owned computing resources by students, employees, or guests of the college.
- use of college resources to access information on the Internet and campus email.
- use of college resources to provide information to other Internet users.
Acceptable Use
- Activities that support LC related events or business.
- Research activities.
- Must be consistent with the rules appropriate to any network being used/accessed.
- Activities that support or foster educational purposes or pursuits.
- Must adhere to the posted time and printing limits at the place of use.
- Users must adhere to any other posted regulations at the place of use.
Unacceptable Use
- Use of resources for commercial purposes such as buying and selling materials.
- Unauthorized use of copyrighted material is prohibited.
- Abuse of bandwidth
Copyright
United States copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code) prohibits the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of copyrighted materials, except as permitted by the principles of "fair use". Users may not copy or distribute electronic materials (including electronic mail, text images, programs or data) without the explicit permission of the copyright holder. Any responsibility for any consequences of copyright infringement lies with the user; LC expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility resulting from such use.
- Threatening or obscene material is prohibited.
- Product advertisement or political lobbying is prohibited.
- The presence of food or beverages is prohibited in all labs.
Privileges
- Access to the Internet is not a right but a privilege.
- Unacceptable use of resources will result in the cancellation of privileges.
- Assistance will not be provided during open-lab sessions.
Netiquette
- Be polite.
- Do not use vulgar or obscene language.
- Use caution when revealing your address or phone number (or those of others).
- Electronic mail is not guaranteed to be private.
- Do not intentionally disrupt the network or its users.
- Abide by generally accepted rule of network etiquette
Security
- Users must be advised that undeliverable mail will be delivered to the Postmaster at the Computer Services office and misdirected email can be read by unintended recipients.
- If you identify a security problem, notify a system administrator or lab assistant immediately
- Do not show or identify a security problem to others.
- Do not reveal your account password or allow another person to use your account.
- Do not use another individual’s account.
- Any user identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer systems may be denied.
- User must notify the Data Network Specialist of any change in his/her account information.
Vandalism/Harassment
- Vandalism and/or harassment will result in the cancellation of the offending user’s account.
- Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another user, the Internet or other networks. This includes, but is not limited to, creating and/or uploading computer viruses.
- Harassment is defined as the persistent annoyance of another user or the interference in another user’s work. This includes, but is not limited to, the sending of unwanted mail, SPAM, chain letters or stalking.
- Internet users are to refrain from displaying or distributing material (test, audio, or video) which is obscene or harassing. The obscenity standards are as follows:
- Materials in which a reasonable person, when considering the contents as a whole, would conclude that they appeal to offensive sexual/physical interests or violently subordinating behavior rather than an intellectual or communicative purpose.
- Materials that, when taken as a whole regarding their content and their particular usage or application, lack any redeeming literary, scientific, political, artistic or social value.
Penalties
- Any user violating these provisions is subject to loss of all college computing resources.
- LC Board of Trustees will make the final determination as to what constitutes unacceptable Internet use and their decision is final.
Student Violations
LC students may report incidents of harassment or other violations of this policy to the Instructor/Lab Assistant. Possible sanctions include deletion of material or direct links to other locations on the Internet which are found to be obscene, loss of computer resource user privileges, and further disciplinary action as stipulated in the LC Student Handbook.
Employee Violations
LC employees may report incidents of harassment or other violations of this policy to their immediate supervisor. Possible sanctions include deletion of material or direct links to other locations on the Internet which are found to be obscene, loss of computer resource user privileges, and further disciplinary action as stipulated in the LC Policy Manual.
***Laredo College makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing. LC will not be responsible for any damages a user may suffer, including loss of data. LC will not be responsible for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through it’s Internet resources.***
This policy was written by the Internet Committee.