Policies and Procedures
Computing and network policies are important for an appropriate understanding of the rights and responsibilities of computer users at a time of fast and constant technological changes. Modern computing capabilities require guidance on the part of the institution and of Academic Computing to help users understand this complex environment extending itself from classrooms to internal and external resources and available everywhere within the institution.
For rules and regulations referring to the Internet and email, please refer to the following:
Internet and Email Rules and Regulations (The DCCC Computer Network and Internet Policy #64.7)
Introductory Statement
The Delaware County Community College Electronic Bulletin Board is created,
operated and staffed to enhance and extend the teaching and learning of all
its users. The Bulletin Board allows the convenient expansion of communications,
within and to the community, beyond the walls of the buildings and boundaries
of our campuses.
To become a user of this network, prospective members must agree to abide by the DCCC Computer Network and Internet Policy #64.7 and the BBS Rules and Regulations described below.
You are expected to operate on the bulletin board with respect, seriousness, curiosity, honesty, and accountability. In return, DCCC-BBS will, at its convenience, provide the named user access to its computer equipment and services via modem and/or direct access.
- The level of access to the services and facilities of the DCCC-BBS is based on the user's association with the Delaware County Community College. To gain access to most services, the user must be a staff or faculty member, a presently enrolled student and/or be properly authorized to use these BBS services. Breaching the rules and regulations set forth herein may result in the user being denied access, temporary or permanent, regardless of previous user account status.
- User will not allow any other person the use of his/her name and password to gain access to the BBS. Registered users will take full responsibility for all actions, direct or indirect from said person(s).
- User will not attempt to mislead the DCCC-BBS system operator by using unauthorized aliases or providing misleading information to acquire BBS access and other privileges associated with that access.
- Pursuant to the Electronics and Communications Act of 1986, Title 18, United States Code, Section 2510, notice is hereby given that no facilities are provided by this BBS for user-to-user sending/receiving private, privileged and/or confidential electronic communications (Please, find it under the "BBS Info" submenu of the Academic Computing Services menu via ANSI mode).
- DCCC-BBS reserves the right to delete, set and/or change the status and security of any message left on the BBS. DCCC-BBS does not and will not guarantee privacy of any message left by a user. A user understands that this BBS is not intended for any communication for which the sender intends only the sender and the recipient(s) to read!
- User will not use offensive language on any part of the BBS system including user-to user messages. Definition of "offensive" is that language which most college community users may deem offensive. Also, the DCCC-BBS will not be used as an instrument to deliver advertising or other solicitation for goods and/or services for profit or non-profit organizations without the specific authorization of the BBS system management. The user agrees that the DCCC-BBS system operator may review and/or delete communications messages on the BBS.
- Users will actively encourage and promote the free exchange and discussion of information, ideas and opinions, except when the content would compromise the national security of the United States; violate proprietary rights, personal privacy, or applicable college, state/federal and local laws and regulations affecting telecommunications; or constitute a crime or libel.
- Users will not upload any software product unless it is Public Domain, Freeware, or shareware. Knowingly uploading a non authorized commercial product without publisher's written authority and permission of DCCC-BBS is a violation of the United States copyright laws as well as a violation of these Rules and Regulations of the DCCC-BBS.
- Users will not upload any files/programs that are designed to hinder, damage, or disrupt this BBS or other users' BBS(s) hardware/software operation. Attempting to upload such a file/program to the BBS (even if no damage has resulted) will result in immediate denial of access to the BBS; in addition, disciplinary and/or other actions might be taken against the user as per general college policies as applicable to all user classes.
- The user does not and will not hold DCCC-BBS or other users responsible for fit or fitness of any files or programs downloaded from this system, for any or all damage incurred while using said programs, or time, damages, losses, either direct or consequential as result of connection to/with the BBS. FURTHER, every user explicitly acknowledges that all information obtained from DCCC-BBS is provided "AS IS" without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose and that the entire risk of acting on information obtained from DCCC-BBS, including the entire cost of all necessary remedies, is with those who choose to act on such information and not the operators of this system.
- User waives all claims against the DCCC-BBS, legal or otherwise, which may be incurred through the use and/or registration for use of the BBS.
- It is each user's responsibility to report to DCCC-BBS any known violations of any of the above Rules and Regulations. In addition, user should report to DCCC-BBS any information deemed useful to other users and/or the BBS concerning fit and fitness of any file/program located on this BBS.
Definition of College Computing Systems
"College computing systems" refers to all computers owned or operated
by the College and includes, but is not limited to, hardware, software, data,
and communication networks associated with these systems. These systems range
from multi-user systems to single-user terminals and personal computers, whether
free standing or connected to networks. The College owns and operates the computer
systems, facilities, and accounts and reserves all rights, including termination
of service without notice.
General
- Users of computers and the computer network at Delaware County Community College are expected to follow rules of civil conduct as reflected in the College's policies, student code of conduct and faculty contract.
- Users may enter the College's computer systems only through their authorized DCCC account. Account passwords may not be shared.
- DCCC computing systems are to be used by College employees for College-related business. Using DCCC computing systems for personal profit or for organizations or functions not affiliated with the College is prohibited.
- Users must not obstruct the operations of the DCCC computing system. Inappropriate use of computer resources and hindering access by other users is prohibited.
- Users must respect the privacy of others by refraining from inspecting, broadcasting or modifying personal data files without consent.
- Users must check all imported programs and files for viruses before use.
- In order to maintain system performance and security, authorized individuals will monitor computer activity. If individuals are suspected of abusing computers or the system, the contents of user files may also be inspected.
- DCCC computers and the computer network may not be used:
- To make statements that may injure another person.
- As a means of unauthorized access to computing accounts or systems inside or outside the College systems.
- To use or create invasive software.
- To access, copy or transmit obscene or pornographic material.
Copyright
- Users must observe all pertinent copyright laws when copying or downloading software programs or files.
- Software programs must not be copied or downloaded without proper licensing or copyright agreements.
- Users must observe copyright restrictions when copying and distributing document files.
- The DCCC email system is College property and is to be used for legitimate academic and administrative business.
- Using the email system for solicitation, personal profit, political purposes, harassment, or sending anonymous messages is prohibited.
- Employees have no personal privacy rights in any materials created, received or sent through the DCCC email system.
- The College reserves the right to monitor and access information anywhere on the College-owned computing system, including the email system.
- Users are expected to follow commonly accepted "netiquette" guidelines.
Home pages
Home pages will be added to the College servers with the permission of
the executive staff or their designee. Procedures to be followed are outlined
in the College's web site guidelines.
Confidential Data
- In order to perform specific job responsibilities, College employees may be given access to confidential College data.
- Information from this data is not to be shared except in support of job responsibilities, and then only with appropriate users of this information.
- College employees and other individuals with access to student or personnel records are required to protect the confidentiality of such information according to both College policies and legislation currently in effect.
- College employees with access to student records must act in accordance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, known as the Buckley Amendment.
- A student must give written permission to allow the College to share his/her records or class performance with anyone outside the educational system.
- The student must give written permission to the college to release transcript and attendance records.
- Inquiries from law enforcement authorities should be referred to the security officer, the director of plant operations or to the vice president for student development.
- Employees should clear the computer screen of a student's record immediately following use.
- Unlawful use or selling of student, personnel and/or institutional information is a serious offense and may result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.
Enforcement
- Violations of the College policy on computer use constitute those activities specifically prohibited in DCCC Policy #64.7 approved by the Board of Trustees, May 15, 1996, and in these regulations.
- Inadvertent misuse of the College's computing systems, for example, unintentional overload of systems or excessive disk consumption, will be handled by procedures of the College's academic or administrative computing services.
- Violations by students will be reported to the director of academic computing and the vice president for student development (or designee) for review and resolution according to the procedures of the Student Code of Conduct as stated in the DCCC student handbook.
- Violations by staff will be reported to the director of administrative computing, the staff member's supervisor and to the director of human resources for review and resolution in accordance with the College's personnel policies.
- Violations by the general public will be reported to the vice president for administration (or designee) for review and resolution. Penalty for violation may range from prohibition of access to DCCC facilities, to the notification of law enforcement authorities.
- Account privileges of staff, students and other users may be suspended while a reported violation is under review.
- It is the responsibility of every individual user to report any known violations
of the above procedures to the College's administrative computing department.