Computer Labs Acceptable Use Guidelines

Learning Assistance Centers, Libraries & Computer Labs
Acceptable Computer and Internet Use Guidelines

Technology at Atlantic Cape Community College will be used in collaboration with curriculum. Computers and other technology equipment are tools used as part of the teaching and learning process. Their use is regarded as a privilege, not a right. Students will be responsible for following all conditions and rules of technology use as presented by Atlantic Cape Community College. Any violation of the conditions and rules may result in revocation of technology privileges.

This Internet system has been established for a limited educational purpose to include classroom activities and career development activities. It has not been established as a public access or public forum and Atlantic Cape Community College has the right to place reasonable restrictions on the material you access or post and/or the training you need to have before you are allowed to use the system.

Unacceptable Uses for Technology

1. Personal Safety:
   • You will not post contact information about yourself or any other person that is not course related.
   • The receipt of any message you feel is inappropriate or makes you feel uncomfortable should be reported to school authorities immediately.
2. Illegal Activities:
   • You will not attempt to gain unauthorized access to any college computer system or go beyond your authorized access by entering another person's account number or accessing another person's files.
   • You will not use another individual's Computer Lab ID, nor will you grant usage of your ID to another individual.
   • You will not install any software on computer lab equipment.
   • You will not reconfigure computer hardware or software unless directed to do so by your instructor as part of the course. You may not engage in duplication of any applications installed in the Computer Labs.
   • You will not eat or drink beverages of any kind in the labs in order to protect the equipment.
   • You will not deliberately attempt to disrupt the computer system or destroy data by spreading computer viruses or by any other means.
   • You will not use the system to engage in any other illegal act, such as arranging for a drug sale, threatening the safety of a person, etc.
3. Inappropriate Language:
   • On any and all uses of the Internet, whether in application to public or private messages or material posted on the Web pages, you will not use obscene, threatening, or disrespectful language. You will not post information that could cause danger or disruption or engage in personal, prejudicial or discriminatory attacks. You will not harass another person by a persistent action that distresses or annoys another person and you must stop if asked to do so.
   • While in the labs, do not engage in behavior that may be disruptive or offensive to others. Headphones should be used for listening to CDs or other sound-based software.
   • When class is in session, students not enrolled in that class are not permitted in the lab without the instructor's permission.
4. Respect for Privacy:
   • You will not repost a message that was sent to you privately without permission of the person who sent you the message.
   • You will not post private information about yourself or another person.
5. Respecting Resource Limits:
   • You will use the system only for educational and career development activities.
   • You will not use Atlantic Cape's computer facilities for profit or commercial gain.
   • You will not download large files unless absolutely necessary. A "large file" is anything more than 1 megabyte. If necessary, you will download the file at a time when the system is not being heavily used and only to your own storage diskette -- not to the system's hard drive.
   • You will not post chain letters or engage in "spamming" (that is, sending an annoying or unnecessary message to a large number of people).
   • You will check your college supplied e-mail frequently, deleting unwanted messages promptly.
   • You will subscribe only to discussion group mail lists that are relevant to your education or career development.
   • You will not abuse printing resources through excessive printing of educational documents, making multiple copies, scanning.
6. Plagiarism and Copyright Infringement:
   • You will not plagiarize words that you find on the Internet. Plagiarism is taking the ideas or writings of others and presenting them as if they were yours.
   • You will respect the rights of copyright owners. Copyright infringement occurs when you inappropriately reproduce a work that is protected by copyright. If a work contains language that specifies appropriate use of that work, you should follow the expressed requirements. If you are unsure whether or not you can use a work, you should request permission from the copyright owner. Direct any questions regarding copyright law to the Librarian.
7. Inappropriate Access to Material:
   • You will not use the system to access material that is profane or obscene (pornography) or that advocates illegal acts or violence or discrimination toward other people (hate literature). A special exception may be made for hate literature if the purpose of the access is to conduct research with teacher approval.
   • If you mistakenly access inappropriate information, you should immediately tell the Lab or Instructional Aides or your teacher. This will protect you against a claim of intentional violation of this policy.
8. Your Rights:
   • Free Speech - Your right to free speech as set forth in Atlantic Cape's disciplinary code, applies also to your communication on the Internet. The Internet is considered a limited forum, similar to the school newspaper, and therefore Atlantic Cape may restrict your right to free speech for valid educational reasons. Atlantic Cape will not restrict your right to free speech on the basis of its disagreement with the opinions you express.
   • Search and Seizure - You should expect no privacy of the contents of your personal files on the system. Routine maintenance and monitoring of the system may lead to discovery that you have violated this policy, the school code, or the law. An individual search may be conducted at any time at the sole discretion of college administration. The investigation will be reasonable and related to the suspected violation.
   • Due Process - The college will cooperate fully with local, state, or federal officials in any investigation related to illegal activities conducted through Atlantic Cape's networked system. In the event of a claim that you have violated this policy, the school disciplinary code, or the law in your use of the system, you will be given notice of suspected violations and an opportunity to present an explanation according to school code and/or state and federal law. Additional restrictions may be placed on your Internet access through Atlantic Cape.

Atlantic Cape Community College makes no guarantee that the functions or the services provided will be error-free or without defect. Atlantic Cape will not be responsible for any damage you may suffer including, but not limited to, loss of data or interruptions of service. Atlantic Cape is not responsible for the accuracy or quality of the information attained through or stored on the system. Atlantic Cape will not be responsible for financial obligations arising from unauthorized use of the system.