North Iowa Area Community College
Technology Policy
Synopsis
- Introduction
- Staff Access to Institutional
Data
- Copyright
- Internet Access
- E- Mail
- World Wide Web
- Responsible Use
- Unacceptable Use
- Use of NIACC Computer labs
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NIACC Technology Policy
1. Introduction
The technology facilities and services provided by North Iowa Area Community
College including computing, telecommunications and media services are primarily
intended for teaching, learning, student support, and administrative purposes.
NIACC encourages staff to make appropriate and innovative use of such resources
to further their learning. The use of technology and information resources is
governed by all applicable college faculty, staff, and student policies and well
as applicable federal, state, and local laws and statues. It is not the intent
of NIACC to provide access to technology and information resources for alumni,
the general public, or for private use. NIACC provides a number of computer labs
to the general college population for coursework and related educational
endeavors. In addition, students enrolled in credit classes are offered a
temporary personal Internet account: renewable each semester they are enrolled
at NIACC. The policies outlined here apply to the use of these accounts.
2. Staff Access to Institutional Data
The value of data as an institutional resource is increased through its
widespread and appropriate use; its value is diminished through misuse,
misinterpretation, or unnecessary restrictions to its use.
Access to NIACC institutional data - the permission to view or query
institutional data - should be granted to all eligible employees of NIACC for
legitimate college purposes. Network accounts (Usernames) will be administered
by NIACC Technology Services for all staff. Data users will be expected to
access institutional data only in their conduct of college business, to respect
the confidentiality and privacy of individual whose records they may access, to
observe any ethical restrictions that may apply to data to which they have
access, and to abide by applicable laws and policies with respect to access,
use, or disclosure of information. Expressly forbidden is the disclosure of
limited-access or internal institutional data or the distribution of such data
in any medium except as required by an employee's job responsibilities. Also
forbidden is the access or use of any institutional data for one's own personal
gain or profit, for the personal gain or profit of others or for political
purposes. Personal Usernames and passwords should not be shared or used by
another person. Violators will be subject to disciplinary action. Computer
resources - both hardware and files stored on computers or servers are
considered to be the property of the college.
3. Copyright
NIACC recognizes and adheres to U.S. and International copyright laws, software
licenses, and intellectual property rights associated with both print and
non-print materials. NIACC forbids, under any circumstances, the unauthorized
reproduction of software, or use of illegally obtained software. Using college
equipment to make illegal copies of software is prohibited. NIACC employees and
students who violate this policy are subject do disciplinary action. Individuals
who violate U.S. copyright law and software licensing agreements also may be
subject to criminal or civil action by the owner of the copyright.
4. Internet Access
The Internet is an electronic communications system connecting millions of
computers and individual users from all over the world. Internet access is
coordinated through a complex association of government agencies, state, and
regional networks. Smooth operation of the network relies on the proper conduct
of all of its end users. With access to computers and to people from all over
the world it is possible that users may access materials that might not be
considered to be of educational value, may be controversial, offensive, or
inaccurate. Any and all access and use of information or materials obtained via
the Internet is at the users own risk. NIACC does not accept any responsibility
for the accuracy and/or quality of information obtained through its Internet
services. It is expected that each NIACC employee and student will follow
ethical and professional guidelines and abide by College policies when using
College computer equipment and services to access the Internet.
5. E-Mail
Electronic Mail or E-Mail accounts will be available to all NIACC staff,
students enrolled in credit classes, and in certain circumstances temporary
accounts for students in Continuing Education classes. E-Mail can be used
internally for campus communications or via the Internet for electronic
communications around the world. Appropriate use of e-mail for college related
activities will be expected. While electronic messages being sent or stored on
networks or servers will be considered by NIACC to be private communications and
the responsibility of the staff member or student, users should be aware that it
is possible for a hacker or a network administrator at any point along the
worldwide Internet communication path to intercept and view documents. NIACC
will not be held liable for individual use of electronic mail or use of the
Internet.
6. World Wide Web
The World Wide Web (WWW or Web) provides an opportunity for NIACC to have a
presence in the Internet community for public relations, to provide information,
and for educational purposes. NIACC's "Home Page" (or pages) on the Web
represent the college's programs, policies, and image to the world. Development
of Web Home Pages will be encouraged by NIACC departments, staff, and students
(as part of an instructional activity), and should be maintained by each to
remain current, accurate, and to appropriately represent the college. NIACC will
recommend standards for NIACC Web pages on the Internet, but will not be liable
for the content of personal web pages.
7. Responsible Use:
The user bears the primary responsibility for the material that he or she
chooses to access, send, or display. Respect the rights of others by complying
with all college policies. Remember that you are representing the college in all
of your communications. Use only computer IDs or accounts and communications
facilities which you are authorized to use, and use them for the purposes for
which they were intended. Do not let others use your Username or password.
Students will be responsible for maintaining their own files that are stored on
network drives including deleting files no longer in user, and copying files
that they want to save to removable media (diskettes). Staff will be responsible
for maintaining their own files that are stored on network drives including
deleting files no longer in use. Do not use up valuable network storage
resources with unnecessary and outdated files.
8. Unacceptable Use:
The following unacceptable activities may result in suspension or revocation of
this privilege, disciplinary action as well as possible legal and civil action
by the copyright owner and/or the College.
a. Unauthorized copying of any software (including operating systems, programs,
applications, databases, or code) which is licensed or protected by copyright.
b. "Computer hacking" (i.e. unwanted or unsolicited entry into a computer
system).
c. Knowingly introducing a "computer virus" to a computer or network (i.e. a
program - either harmless or damaging - which attaches itself to another program
and/or has the capability to reproduce in order to infect other computers).
d. Unauthorized access, willful damage, or misuse of systems, applications,
databases, code, or data. e. Use of the campus network, the Internet, ICN, or
other telecommunications or data networks for actions that constitute harassment
(as defined by the NIACC Harassment Policy). This includes introducing
inappropriate materials to the network, displaying for others to view or hear,
or printing on college printers.
f. Using the network or college equipment to conduct personal business for one's
own personal gain or profit, for the personal gain or profit of others, for
solicitation of services, or for political lobbying or campaigning.
g. Allowing others to use your personal Username and password to access campus
networks or the Internet.
The above items in this section are all unacceptable activities.
9. Use of NIACC Computer Labs:
a. First priority use is for scheduled classes and workshops.
b. Second priority use is for students doing assignments required for classes,
or staff preparing for a class.
c. Third priority use is for other academic uses such as exploration of the
Internet and e-mail.
Please limit your time at the computers to one hour when there are other
students or staff waiting. If you are not doing work specifically for a class
you may be asked to yield your spot to those who have class assignments to
complete. Students violating the Technology Policies or the NIACC Student
Conduct Code will be asked to leave and may face loss of computer and Internet
privileges and/or disciplinary action.
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