INTERNET USAGE POLICY
Guidelines
Laredo Community 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 LCC
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 LCC 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; LCC 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.
- LCC Board of Trustees will make the final determination as to what
constitutes unacceptable Internet use and their decision is final.
Student Violations
LCC 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 LCC Student Handbook.
Employee Violations
LCC 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 LCC Policy Manual.
***Laredo Community College makes no warranties of any kind,
whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing. LCC will not be
responsible for any damages a user may suffer, including loss of data. LCC 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.