Computer Technology Acceptable Use Policy

Individuals are Fully Responsible for their own actions while using Calhoun Community College’s (Calhoun) “computer technology” (defined as Calhoun computers and computer-related equipment, programs, supplies, and network communications, including Internet access gained through Calhoun’s computer network). Users must respect the privacy and rights of others, and the integrity of both the hardware and software being used. Accordingly, users must assume responsibility for making the best possible use of access privileges and for not abusing them. Employee questions concerning access, acceptable and unacceptable use, should be directed to the Director of Information Technology. Student questions should be directed to the appropriate instructor or the Campus Dean or designee.

Limited Access: Calhoun reserves the right to limit the access of any and all employees to certain software programs or directories. Each user is provided with a certain access level. A user may not access a computer without authorization or exceed authorized access. A user’s activity is restricted to access of only those programs or directories in that user’s respective access level. Likewise, a user may not obtain access to another level by means of another user’s access. Any user who exceeds his/her respective level, assists another user to gain access to an otherwise inaccessible level, or allows another user to gain access to an otherwise inaccessible level will be held accountable for the violation of this policy. A user may not continue to enter an access level which was previously assigned to the user, but which has since been suspended, revoked, or otherwise continued.

No user may knowingly:

Internet Access: Any employee or student access to the Internet through Calhoun’s computer network is limited to the acceptable use as set out below. Likewise, any employee or student who accesses the Internet through Calhoun’s computer network for an unacceptable use as defined above or causes an unacceptable result will be held accountable for the violation.

The use of the Internet must be in support of education, research, college-related service activities, or college administration and consistent with the mission of Calhoun Community College. Transmission of any material in violation of any federal or state regulation is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to: copyrighted material, threatening or obscene material, or material protected by trade secret. Any use of the Internet through Calhoun’s computer network for political advertisement or political lobbying is also strictly prohibited.

Acceptable Use: It is acceptable to use Calhoun computer technology for purposes relating directly to education, educational research, college- related service activities, and administration of Calhoun. Examples of acceptable use are:

• Using the software/hardware only in the condition and settings provided by Calhoun. Users may not modify software settings, to add or delete hardware components or modify software features, unless so instructed by appropriate college officials.

• Using the network for the purpose of instructional support. This may include class assignments, research, skill development, and/or the production of materials used in the educational process.

Unacceptable Use: It is unacceptable to use Calhoun computer technology for any illegal purpose or to interfere with or disrupt other users, services or equipment. Such unacceptable use includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Engaging in activities to damage or disrupt computer, computer system, network information, data or a program by such acts as virus creation and propagation, wasting system resources, or overloading networks with excessive data.

• Engaging in activities for the purpose of promoting personal gain and/or profit or use of college technology for organizations other than Calhoun.

• Engaging in any activity which is in violation of the Code of Alabama (1975) §§36-25-1 through 36-25-30, as amended (the “State Ethics Law”), or which, in the opinion of the Calhoun administration, may be contrary to such law.

• Using any computer technology in a manner that violates patent protection or license agreements.

• Engaging in any activity that violates any and all copyright laws. Such activity may include utilizing Calhoun technology to copy and/or distribute copyrighted materials of any type that the user does not have a valid and legal right to copy.

• Engaging in any use that is illegal or results in the commission of any illegal activity.

• Using Calhoun computer technology to support or oppose any candidates or candidates for public office, or for any other political purpose. (Use of State property for political purposes is against Alabama law.)

• Transmitting messages of a romantic or sexual nature to any person or persons.

• Creating, displaying, transmitting or making accessible threatening, racist, sexist, offensive, annoying or harassing language and/or material.

• Knowingly accessing or transmitting information which contains obscene or indecent material as defined by law.

• Knowingly performing an act, which will interfere with the normal operation or use of computers, terminals, peripherals, or networks.

• Creating copies, or taking into the user’s personal possession copies of Calhoun owned software and/or hardware technology such as computers, components, disks, or peripherals.

• Using another person’s computer account or allowing someone else to use your account (e-mail, secure systems, etc.).

• Sharing personal e-mail accounts.

• Masking the identity of an account or machine or in any manner misrepresenting your identity in e-mail or other electronic communication.

• Communicating any information concerning password, identifying code, personal identification number or other confidential information without the permission of its owner.

• Creating, modifying, executing or re-transmitting any computer program or instructions intended to obscure the true identity of the sender of electronic mail or electronic messages, collectively referred to as “Messages,” including, but not limited to, forgery of Messages and/or alteration of system and/or user data used to identify the sender of Messages.

• Attempting to gain unauthorized access to any information facility, whether successful or not. This includes running programs that attempt to calculate or guess passwords, or that are designed and crafted to trick other users into disclosing their passwords, and any attempts to circumvent data protection schemes or uncover security loopholes. It also includes electronic eavesdropping or communication facilities.

Revised March 7, 2007