ACS Policies

• Purpose
• Ethical Use of Computers
• Acceptable Uses of Resources
• Privacy
• Piracy
• Local, Regional & Internet Network Use
• Academic Computer Lab Rules, Room 161A/B

Campus Computing Resources Use Protocol

As approved and recommended on May 3, 1996 by the Professional Staff Governance Subcommittee on Institutional Operations and Planning.

Purpose

This document is intended to delineate, in part, procedures for the implementation of the Board of Trustees Computer Policy dated April 21, 1988.

Access to computing resources is intended to provide members of the college community support for education, research, and necessary administrative activities. Use of the campus computing resources must be consistent with the purpose and the mission of the college. Campus computer systems are not intended for personal gain or profit.

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Ethical Use of Computers

All users of college computing resources must respect the rights of other computing users, the integrity of the physical facilities and controls, and all pertinent license and contractual agreements. All use of resources shall be consistent with college policies and procedures and with all applicable federal, state and local laws.

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Acceptable Uses of Resources

The following are examples of acceptable and unacceptable uses of computing resources, including, but not limited to, e-mail, all campus networks, and the Internet. This listing is not intended to be inclusive.

Examples of acceptable uses:

• Activities promoting educational collaboration and information sharing;
• Research and collaboration by students and faculty related to course work;
• Communication with scholars and educators in connection with teaching and research;
• Grant administration and application;
• Involvement in professional organizations related to the user's teaching, research, or professional activities.

Examples of unacceptable uses:

• Engaging in any illegal activity;
• Commercial profit-making activities or advertising;
• Sending chain letters;
• Engagement in an activity intended to affect network performance or cause congestion of the network;
• Malicious use;
• Using another user's ID or password, with or without consent;
• Using electronic communications to forge an academic document;
• Using electronic communications to steal another individual's work or otherwise misrepresent one's own work;
• Forging, fraudulently altering, or willfully falsifying electronic mail headers or electronic information generated as, maintained as, or otherwise identified as college records in support of electronic communications;
• Intentional introduction of a computer "virus" or other disruptive/destructive program into the system.

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Privacy

Each user account is protected from unauthorized access by requiring the use of a unique password to identify the legitimate user. No user will snoop, hack, or be involved in any other actions that interfere with the privacy of others. Users must abide by the system's security mechanisms in a manner that preserves the privacy of themselves and others. The college will make all reasonable attempts to maintain the integrity of the system, however, it shall not be held liable for intentional invasions by others.

Although information passing over the college network or stored in user accounts may be accessed by system personnel for purposes of network management, the content of files and transmissions will not be viewed, monitored, or altered without the express consent of the user, except in those cases where the college has reasonable cause to believe that an account or system is being used by other than an authorized user or is being used in violation of applicable federal, state, or local law or of college procedures, protocols, or policy.

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Piracy

The copying of copyrighted materials (including incorporation into or attachment to an electronic work product), whether from software, hard copy, or otherwise, is prohibited without the express written consent of the copyright owner. Unlicensed software may not be installed on college equipment.

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Local, Regional & Internet Network Use

The college's computer resources include an electronic network of computers that are linked together via a complex system of electronic components, computers, cabling, and information. These systems are also joined to the outside world via external networks including SUNYNet, NYSERNET, and the Internet.

Users of these resources are bound by the college's policies and the policies of the aforementioned networks. Copies of applicable use policies will be available in the Office of Management Information Systems and the college library.

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Academic Computer Lab Rules, Room 161A/B

• Games are not allowed;
• Chat rooms are not allowed;
• Printing pornographic material is not allowed;
• Food and beverages are not allowed;
• Loading/installing/copying software is not allowed;
• Excessive printing is not allowed (printing is limited to necessary copies);
• Shutting down the computer is not allowed unless directed to do so by lab personnel;
• Place unwanted paper in the recycle bin. TEAR UP copies that you do not wish others to see.

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