Purpose
The
College views technology and its use in instruction, in service delivery,
in advising, and in communications as a strategic asset.�
The College�s commitment to academic freedom and appreciation
for creating an environment of free inquiry extends to the electronic
information environment. To ensure that the College's investment in
technology promotes free inquiry, innovation, quality learning environments,
and the creative applications that advance the mission of the College,
a strong policy infrastructure for technology use is important.�
Acceptable use policies preserve the stability and security
of our information technology systems, protect the College from inappropriate
use, and ensure reasonable accessibility to technology resources for
our academic community.� These policies govern desktop, network, e-mail, telephone, internet,
data security, and software uses of College-owned information technology
equipment and resources.
Policy
This
policy outlines the acceptable use of Los Angeles Mission College�s
computer and network resources by faculty and staff.�
Users of computing resources are expected to take a responsible
and professional approach to the use of these resources, as access
to these resources is a privilege not a right.�
The College�s computing resources and facilities are intended
for instructional and administrative use; computing facilities and
network access cannot be used for commercial purposes without proper
written authorization.� While
there may be incidental personal use of College technology resources,
this type of use must adhere to all College acceptable use policies
and procedures.� Employees� supervisors may restrict personal
activities of their employees if these personal activities are impacting
the employees� job performances.
Members
of the user community must use only those resources to which they
have been specifically granted access by the College; and by using
the College�s technology resources, users assume personal responsibility
for their appropriate use and agree to comply with this policy and
other applicable College policies, as well as city, state, and federal
laws and regulations.
In making acceptable use of resources you
are expected to:
�
use resources only for authorized purposes;
�
protect your user ID, password,� and system from unauthorized use;
�
access only information that is your own,
that is publicly available, or to which you have been given authorized
access;
�
be considerate in your use of shared resources;
�
demonstrate respect for principles of open
expression;
�
be aware of copyright laws as they apply to
computer software and other materials that you may access with College
computing resources.
Unacceptable
use of resources may include but is not limited to:
�
use of another person�s system, user ID, password,
files, or data, or giving the use of one�s system, user ID, password,
files, or data;
�
engage in any activity that might be purposefully
harmful to systems, resources, or data, such as creating or propagating
viruses, disrupting services, or attempting to gain unauthorized access
to resources or data;
�
make or use illegal copies of copyrighted
materials, software, or music, store such copies on College systems,
or transmit them over College networks;
�
creation, display, or distribution of defamatory
or harassing material, which is in violation of existing law or College
policy;
�
use of College system for any other illegal
activity;
�
monopolizing systems, overloading networks
with excessive data, or wasting college resources;
�
use the College�s equipment or networks for
personal profit;
�
unauthorized installation of hardware or software
onto any College owned computer/network�
(the Information Technology Department is responsible for all
installations, requests for exceptions should be sent to the Information
Technology Help Desk).
Privacy and Use of Information:
Employees
are expected to be knowledgeable of, and to perform their duties in
compliance with, federal, state, and local laws and college policies,
including the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy
Act and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
designed to protect the confidentiality of data and the privacy of
individuals. Confidential or demographic data that pertains to students,
employees, or college operations, must be used in a manner that protects
rights of privacy and limits personal and institutional liability.
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Consequences:
Employees
of the College who violate this policy are subject to disciplinary
action up to and including termination of their employment.�
The College also reserves the right to withdraw access to its
system to any user.� The College,
additionally, reserves the right to notify appropriate legal authorities
in the event that its system is used in a manner that constitutes
a violation of any local, state, or federal law.
Information Disclaimer:
The
College is not responsible for the loss of information or interruption
of electronic communications.� The College reserves the right to discard incoming
mass mailings (�spam�) without notifying the sender or intended recipient
and to block all Internet communications from sites that are involved
in extensive spamming or other disruptive practices, even though this
may leave the College computer users unable to communicate with those
sites.
While
the College takes reasonable measures to protect the security of its
computing resources, the College cannot guarantee absolute security
and privacy.� In cases of administrative or judicial proceedings,
information stored electronically may be released to outside parties.�
Users should recognize that although access to their files
and data is normally avoided, situations may arise where employees
with legitimate business purposes may have the need to view information
or email or monitor user activity on the network.� Causes for access may include, but are not
limited to the health or safety of individuals or property; violations
of College policies, or local, state or federal laws; termination
of an employee; and the need to locate information required for College
business.
Program-Specific
Policies:
Additional
procedures may apply to specific labs and equipment within the College.� Consult with the appropriate department to determine availability
and proper use.