Computer Hardware & Software Usage Guidelines
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Computer Hardware & Software Usage Guidelines is to ensure an information infrastructure that promotes the mission, vision, goals, and objectives of Reading Area Community College . These Guidelines codify what is considered acceptable usage of the College’s computer hardware, software, databases, and networks. With the privileges to use the information resources of the College come specific responsibilities outlined in these Guidelines.
ACCEPTABLE USE
The use of Reading Area Community College computer technology is a privilege extended to all users, including faculty, staff, students. Computer hardware and software are to be used for approved purposes in the conduct of the College’s mission. The intent of these Guidelines is to define broad categories of use which are acceptable, not to provide an exhaustive list of inappropriate or unacceptable uses. At any time the College may make determinations that specific uses are or are not acceptable. Unacceptable use can result in suspension or revocation of privileges, as well as, College disciplinary action. The College reserves the right to access all information on College computing systems.
Acceptable uses include education, training, academic development, and public service.
Acceptable uses promote:
- an environment in which access to all College computing resources is shared equitably among computer users of the RACC community
- an environment conducive to teaching and learning
- an environment free of illegal or malicious acts
- a non-hostile work environment
- a secure computer environment
Unacceptable uses include, but are not limited to:
- actions which waste network resources including consuming large amounts of bandwidth for prolonged periods of time; consuming large quantities of College supplies for non-academic purposes; or time spent on non-academic or non-work purposes during class time or work time
- pursuits which involve commercial, political, or private business purposes
- unauthorized reproductions or uses of copyrighted materials using the College’s computers or web site; unauthorized duplications or uses of copyrighted software using the College’s computers or web site
- displays or transmissions of fraudulent, malicious, threatening, harassing, or obscene images or messages; any actions that can be interpreted as sexual harassment or that contribute to a hostile work environment
- unauthorized accesses to the College’s network, databases, or computers; failures to report a possible computer related security lapse to the College; refusals to cooperate with any computer system security investigation; or creations or intentional distributions of computer viruses, worms, or Trojan horses.
USER PRIORITY IN COMPUTER LABS AND LIBRARY
User priority for the College’s computers in the labs and library is as follows:
- RACC scheduled credit classes
- RACC scheduled continuing education classes
- RACC student, staff, faculty, or Board of Trustee use
- Non-student adult use (only on selected computers that are available in The Yocum Library)
USER RESPONSIBILITIES
It is the responsibility of each faculty member, staff member, and student of the College to ensure the appropriate use of the College’s computer systems and software.
Staff computer users are expected to maintain their desktop configurations, directory structures, hardware and software configuration settings, and system settings in a manner directed by the College and its computer support staff.
Staff and faculty must be sensitive to the physical security of the hardware and software they use, and they must take reasonable steps to prevent unauthorized use of their computer equipment.
All computer users are required to report any suspected breach or violation attempts to the supervisor of that area.
It is the responsibility of each faculty member, staff member, and student of the College to follow other computer-related guidelines, such as, the Web Publishing Guidelines.
IMPLEMENTATION
The Computer Hardware & Software Usage Guidelines will be implemented as follows:
- A full version of the Guidelines will be found on the College’s web site, in the Employee Handbook, and the Faculty Handbook.
- A summary of the Guidelines will be prominently displayed in every computer lab and in the library.
- A statement regarding the Guidelines will be placed in all documents related to computer usage and Internet services provided by the College.
GUIDELINES REVISION SCHEDULE
In order to ensure that the Guidelines regarding computer usage by faculty, staff, and students represent a contemporary application of this technology, and to accommodate the change process, the Teaching Learning Technology Roundtable (TLTR) Standing Committee of the College’s Governance System will review the Computer Hardware & Software Usage Guidelines every year and recommend any revision.
4/2003