Acceptable Use Of Technical Resources

Please read and agree to follow this policy before changing your password.

Preamble

Western New England College provides a comprehensive package of computer and technical resources to students, faculty, and staff for the purpose of conducting academic and college business. Included in these services are personal computer accounts, access to electronic mail (e-mail), voice communications and voice mail (v-mail), television, audio, and video services, disk space for web pages, network services, and desktop technologies.

The Institution also provides use of numerous licensed informational and research databases and software applications; use of the College's facilities is expected to be consistent with educational goals and mission of the College.

Resources, such as the College's network, desktop PCs, servers, and printers, required to provide these services are either owned or licensed by Western New England College. To use these resources is a privilege, not a right. These resources, often encumbered as part of one's employment or status as a student, are to be used responsibly and in accordance with 'Acceptable Use Policies'.

Also, the College's resources are limited and the manner in which each individual utilizes these resources impacts the successful efforts of others. With respect for individual needs and limited resources in mind, the College has established standards and policies to permit the acceptable use of these resources.

It is important, therefore, that everyone be cognizant of their obligations, what is meant by proper use and behavior, an understanding of actions that inhibit the success of others, and adhering to and honoring the following basic principles, standards and policies.

Anti-virus software is available to students at no cost. Students are responsible for maintaining a current version of the anti-virus software and operating system on their PC.

Acceptable Use Standards and Policies

Playing streaming audio (listening to radio stations) or streaming video of any form (movies, live sports or game scores, etc) or performing any music or video file transfers for non-academic purposes, like BitTorrent, Gnutella-, KAZAA-, iLive-, Napster-like, or game-like activities, are not acceptable uses of the College's resources. Installing or implementing personal servers on the College's network is not acceptable use of the College's resources as well.

Actions prohibited by the College and federal and state law regulations include but are not limited to:

• Use of the College's name and logo in a manner that suggests endorsement of other organizations, products, or services without the expressed written approval of the College.
• Use of the College's technical resources to engage in any illegal activity or other activities not directly related to the College’s mission or business.
• Using the College's network or other resources for transporting copyrighted material, documents/photos/software/music/video or files containing such items.
• Connecting devices other than computers (PCs or Laptops) in residential hall network jacks; devices prohibited include hubs, switches, routers, and all wireless devices.
• Connecting PCs to the College network without appropriate virus and worm related detection software. All computers must have virus protection software. (OIT provides this software at no charge to students, faculty, and staff.)
• Use of the College's technical resources in a manner that causes degradation, incapacitates, compromises, or in anyway jeopardizes the teaching, learning and business missions of the College for students, faculty, and administration.
• Interfering with or attempting to interfere with service to the College community by modifying PC hardware in offices, labs, or classrooms; distribution of technology viruses; or intentionally creating resource consuming programs that force 'denial of service'.
• Sharing your account or password with anyone.
• Copying software, documents or other intellectual property in violation of federal or state laws.
• Attempting to gain access to other individual's accounts, private files, e-mail or conducting any harassing activities toward College users.
• Revealing or disclosing confidential information or invasion of another's personal privacy.
• Inclusion in e-mail messages or web pages the personal audio, image, or video material of individuals or materials owned by them without their approval and written authority.
• Use or placement of content materials that are abusive, profane, or obscene in e-mail, web pages or other network transport mechanisms.
• Using of technical resources for commercial or revenue generating activities not related to the College.
• Distributing chain letters or other media that engages individuals with unannounced solicitations that are not related to College business.
• Developing, installing, or downloading software or data that changes any part of the standard configuration supplied by the Office of Information Technology on College PCs or Servers.

Rev 04/03/08