Acceptable Use of College Information Technology - Policy 1.140

Authority:	Florida Statute 1001.64 FAC 6A-14.0247; .0243; .024; .026
Date Adopted:	5/01

Policy:

It is the policy of the Board that all persons use College Information Technology in a lawful and ethical manner for College related purposes only, in compliance with international, federal, state and local law, the State Board of Education Rules for Community Colleges, and the policies and procedures of the College. All users are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects respect for the rights of others and protects the integrity of data, equipment, software licenses and other contractual agreements governing information technology.

Information Technology includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Computers, computer systems, workstations, peripheral equipment (such as modems, terminals and printers) and related hardware and software; data sets, storage devices (such as CD-ROMS and hard or soft drives); networks; (servers); Internet access; the SCC Website and web pages; e-mail and e-mail systems; closed-circuit television; distance learning materials and technology; on-line courses, video courses and media-enhanced courses.

1. Intent:
   
   It is the intention of the Board to create an intellectual environment in which students, faculty and staff are free to create and to collaborate with colleagues, both locally and at other institutions, without fear that the products of their intellectual efforts will be violated by misrepresentation, tampering, destruction, theft, misuse or abuse.
2. Acceptable Use:
   
   1. Information technology use that supports and enables the effective and efficient completion of job description duties and assigned tasks is acceptable.
      
      
   2. Information technology use by faculty and students under the direction of faculty that contributes to scholarly research and academic work within the boundaries of the approved curriculum is acceptable.
      
      
   3. Occasional and infrequent personal use that does not interfere with job duties, supersede work responsibilities, cause harm or add additional cost to the College or unduly burden the College's technology resources is acceptable.
3. Prohibited Use
   
   Any use of College Information Technology that is inconsistent with this policy is prohibited and may subject violators to sanctions. Violations of this policy include, but are not limited to, the following:
   
   1. Use of College information technology to break any international, federal, state or local law or to aid in any crime.
      
      
   2. Use of College information technology for commercial purposes or personal profit.
      
      
   3. Use inconsistent with the College's sexual harassment policy; creating, viewing, printing, storing, transmitting or publicly displaying obscene, defaming, slanderous, harassing, or offensive data (including sound, video, text, and graphics data).
      
      
   4. Circumventing established College software security procedures or obtaining information systems access and passwords to which one is not entitled.
      
      
   5. Unauthorized alteration or removal of College hardware security systems.
      
      
   6. Unauthorized modifications to College hardware or software.
      
      
   7. Unauthorized access, alteration or destruction of another employee's data, programs, or electronic mail.
      
      
   8. Connecting or installing personal or non College owned information technology hardware or software to the College network without prior approval.
      
      
   9. Installing non College owned software without prior approval and documented proof of legal licensure.
      
      
   10. Use of information technology to endorse, promote, lobby or raise money for any political candidate or political organization.
       
       
   11. Distribution of unwanted electronic mail or other messages or unauthorized use of any scheme (broadcast messages, chain letters, junk mail, "spamming") that may cause excessive network traffic or computing loads.
4. Inspection
   Access to information technology at the College is a privilege, not a right, and shall be allowed or restricted as set out in this policy and related procedures. Data and materials created, stored or transmitted on College Information Technology systems should not be considered private. The Board reserves the right to review and inspect all data and materials on any computer or information technology system furnished by the College. The College may, in the normal course of maintenance and operations review of these systems, monitor, intercept, read and disclose any and all materials or data created, stored or transmitted on College systems. The College has the right to review the use of information technology systems for breaches of security, violations of College policy, or violations of employees' duties and responsibilities. Use of passwords, encryption or PIN numbers does not ensure confidentiality and may be overridden by the College.
5. Consequences of Unacceptable Use
   
   
   1. Unacceptable use may result in the revocation of access to College information technology, and may subject the user to criminal and civil penalties.
      
      
   2. Employees and students who violate the Policy shall be subject to discipline from counseling to dismissal. The following disciplinary procedures shall apply:
      
      1. Career Service Employees are subject to the provisions of Procedure 2.1700, Employee Discipline;
         
         
      2. Administrative and Instructional personnel are subject to the provisions of State Board of Education Rules 6A-14.041, .0411 and .0412 and the Florida Administrative Procedures Act;
         
         
      3. Students are subject to the provisions of the Student Handbook and Policy 3.010, Student Rights and Responsibilities,.
6. Remedial or disciplinary action will depend upon the nature of any offense.