Computer Acceptable Use Policy

A. THE ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY – dated January 28, 1998

This policy is a summary of what we at Champlain – St. Lawrence consider to be an appropriate use of the computer system.  It also states the consequences of unacceptable uses of the system.

1. The AUP was written by the Computer System Management Committee after consultation with the various user groups at SLC:  staff, faculty, students.

2. The AUP will be reviewed at least once a year by the Computer System Management Committee.  Other changes may be made as required.

3. The AUP will be administered by the Computer System Management Committee.

4. The AUP will be posted as part of the Champlain – St. Lawrence web page system and elsewhere as deemed appropriate by the Computer System Management Committee.

B. CONSEQUENCES OF THE VIOLATION OF THESE POLICIES

Access to computer services is a privilege, not a right.  Inappropriate use of the computer
system will result in the cancellation of that privilege.  Users will have to compensate the
college for expenses arising from inappropriate use of the system.  Illegal or criminal
actions will be handled according to the relevant laws.

C. THE PURPOSE OF THE COMPUTER SYSTEM

1. The computer system is a complement to other information systems on campus.

2. The computer system is for acquisition, storage, processing, retrieval and communication of information.  This information service is a tool for the administrative, teaching, learning and research functions of SLC, in conformity with the college’s Educational Objectives.

3. Limited personal non-commercial use of the computer system is permitted.  Personal use must respect the principles of this AUP and must not interfere with the administrative, teaching, learning and research functions of the system.

4. The college makes no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding the resources and facilities offered, or their fitness for any particular purpose.  The college has the right to terminate a service.

D. WHAT IS ALLOWED

Within the framework of Section C, the following principles will serve as a guide to
appropriate use of the system:

1. The computer system is to be used….

- only by persons with an account, with access by a confidential password.
At present this does not apply to Macintosh computers, to computers used as laboratory instruments in the Physics and Chemistry laboratories and to computers in the Teacher’s Workroom.

2. The computer system is to be used in a way which…

 a) respects the free access to information for all members of SLC.

b) respects the racial, religious and sexual differences and sensitivities of our community and of other persons.

 c) protects the privacy of the user as he or she works.
Student computer rooms may be monitored by video cameras for security
purposes.
 
d) protects the privacy of academic and other information about members of the SLC community and of other persons.

 e) respects ownership of information.  This includes the respect of copyright  of software and documents.

 f) protects the integrity of the system itself, both software and hardware.

E. WHAT IS NOT ALLOWED

Based on the clauses above, actions that are considered inappropriate include (but are
not limited to) the following.

1. FROM A LEGAL POINT OF VIEW

It is unacceptable…

 a) to violate any local, Québec or Canadian statute.

2. CONCERNING THE INTEGRITY OF THE COMPUTER SYSTEM

It is unacceptable…

 a) to access the SLC computer system or parts of the computer or files for  which one does not have authorization.

 b) to access other computer systems or parts of other computer systems for  which one does not have authorization.

 c) to vandalize, damage, or disable the SLC computer system or other  computer systems or the property of another individual or organization.

 d) to use the network in any other way that may disrupt the use of the SLC  computer system or other computer systems.

 e) to tamper with the hardware provided, connect peripherals or otherwise  compromise the integrity of a computer or of the computer system.

3. CONCERNING THE AVAILABILITY OF THE COMPUTER SYSTEM

It is unacceptable…

 a) to use the computer system for personal use unrelated to Champlain – St.  Lawrence academic requirements if such use prevents access to other  users to the system.
  This includes participation in Internet chats (IRC, Web-based chats, etc.)  and computer games, especially between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., unless they  are required by a course or an authorized school activity.

 b) to download (FTP) files larger than 1 megabyte without the authorization  of the computer system manager.

 c) to participate in online gambling.

4. CONCERNING OWNERSHIP OF INFORMATION

It is unacceptable…

- to violate copyright or otherwise use the intellectual property (e.g. software or documents) of another individual or organization without  permission.
More specifically, this implies that it is unacceptable to distribute any material (text, graphics, sound, etc.) of which one is not the author, without the author’s permission or to quote or otherwise use another author’s work (text, graphics, sound etc.) without required authorization and/or citation as required. 

5. CONCERNING USER IDENTIFICATION AND ACCESS

It is unacceptable…

 a) to use a user name or password of another user.  Users should not reveal    this information, even to friends or family.

 b) to access facilities or services accessible via the network but for which you   have no authorization.

 c) to originate anonymous or incorrectly identified messages.  All     correspondence must be clearly identifiable as to its originator.

6. CONCERNING RESPECT OF PERSONS

It is unacceptable…

 a) to create, retrieve or distribute any material that is harassing, threatening,    sexist, racist, malicious, fraudulent, defamatory or libelous.

 b) to create or display or transmit material which is designed to cause     annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety.

 c) to access, upload, download, display or distribute pornographic, obscene,    or sexually explicit material.

 d) to redistribute chain letters received by e-mail.  Such letters are to be    regarded as offensive.

 e) to reveal the personal addresses or telephone numbers of students or    colleagues without written permission.

 f) to corrupt or destroy other users’ data.

7. CONCERNING COMMERCIAL USE OF YSTEM

It is unacceptable…

 a) to use the system for commercial use of any kind.

F. WEB PAGES

1. Champlain – St. Lawrence web pages must conform to the college’s Educational  Objectives and the principles outlined in this document.

2. Staff and faculty and official representatives of authorized SLC clubs or  associations may request that their pages be posted on the web.  Such pages may  be for program, department, discipline, class, club or other use, consistent with  the principles outline in this document.

3. A person or group wishing that a page be posted is responsible for writing the  page in HTML and submitting the page (directly or using e-mail) to the Web Page  Committee.  The name(s) of the person(s) responsible for the pages and the expiry  date (if any) should be indicated on the page.

4. Only the Web Page Group may physically post pages on the web.