Acceptable Use Policy

General Principles

This policy sets forth acceptable use of computer systems (computers, servers, networks, etc.) at Dawson Community College (DCC). Access to computer systems and networks owned by DCC is granted subject to College policies, and local, state, and federal laws. All access to DCC networks and computers is subject to monitoring to ensure that this policy is followed. This is the "General Policy" which covers all divisions and areas of the college, but does not negate any specific use policy or addendum developed by other divisions/areas of the college.

DCC strives to provide equal access to resources to all users and does not censor access to any material, offensive or otherwise. Therefore, no child (under eighteen years old) should access the Internet, Web Browsers, networks, or any other system under DCC's control without supervision of the parent, guardian, or other authorized adult.

Acceptable use is always ethical, reflects academic honesty, and shows restraint in the consumption of shared resources. It also demonstrates respect for intellectual property, ownership of data, security mechanisms, individuals' rights to privacy, and freedom from intimidation, harassment, and unwarranted annoyance. The goals of this policy include the following:

• Preventing misuse of and/or harm to the computer systems.
• Protecting the right to attribution, right to privacy, and right to determine the form, manner, and terms of individual works.
• Protecting individual rights of all system users at DCC.
• Promoting freedom of use of the computer systems consistent with applicable law.
• Promoting academic freedom.
• Promoting a productive work environment for DCC students and employees.

College Liability

By using the college systems, users agree that neither the college nor its representatives can assume any responsibility for loss or damage to the user's data or hardware or injury arising from the college's provision of the service or consequences arising therefrom. Users indemnify and hold harmless Dawson Community College and its representatives against any liability from damage or loss arising from use or misuse of the services provided by or through the college. Further, this assumption of liability by users of DCC's systems also applies to members of communities in DCC's service area who access college systems through off-campus equipment.

Acceptable Use Guidelines

The system administrators and college administration control access to any of DCC's computer systems. The DCC computer system shall be used in a manner consistent with the directives of the system administrators and/or hardware and software manufacturers. Users shall not misuse, damage, or destroy computer hardware or software. This prohibition does not limit system administrators from the authorized disposal or salvage of broken or obsolete equipment, deleting virus-infected programs, removing unnecessary or damaged files, and/or protecting privacy rights, etc.

In making acceptable use of resources you must:

• Use resources only for authorized purposes.
• Access only files and data that are your own, that are publicly available, or to which you have been given authorized access.
• Use only legal versions of software in compliance with license requirements.
• Be considerate in your use of shared resources by refraining from monopolizing systems, overloading networks with excessive data, wasting computer time, disk space, printer paper, or other resources.
• Use resources for purpose that will support and further the purpose of DCC as stated in the College Catalog.
• Limit recreational use so that it does not infringe on the ability of others to use systems and network resources for academic purposes or interfere with the performance of regular job duties.

Misuse/Unacceptable Use

The following actions set forth some forms of prohibited misuse of the computer system. You must not:

• Use another person's system, user ID, or data.
• Attempt to circumvent or subvert system or network security measures.
• Engage in any activity that might be harmful to systems or to any information stored thereon, such as creating or propagating viruses, disrupting services, or damaging files.
• Use DCC systems for commercial or political purposes, such as using electronic mail to circulate advertising for products or political candidates.
• Use email or messaging services to harass, intimidate, or otherwise annoy another person by broadcasting unsolicited messages.
• Use licensed software for commercial purposes.
• Engage in any other activity that does not comply with the "General Principles" presented above and/or DCC Policy as stated in the Board Policies and Procedures Manual.

Enforcement

DCC considers any violation of acceptable use principles or guidelines to be a serious offense and reserves the right to copy and examine any information on the College systems allegedly related to unacceptable use. Violations of this policy may result in corrective action which may include, but is not limited to, a reprimand to correct inappropriate activity, suspension of the user's account(s) and/or access privileges, disciplinary actions taken by system and/or college administrators, or prosecution of any violation of state or federal law. Suspension of a user's account and or access privileges may be appealed through the College Administration.