This policy, which is effective immediately,
applies to all electronic mail systems and services provided or
owned by DeKalb Technical College (DTC). This includes all users,
holders, and uses of electronic mail services as well as all college
electronic mail records in the possession of employees or other
electronic mail users of said services provided by DTC.
DTC recognizes that principles of academic freedom, freedom of speech,
and privacy of information hold important implications for electronic
mail and electronic mail services. DTC encourages the use of electronic
mail and respects the privacy of users. Those who use these services
are expected to do so responsibly in compliance with state and federal
laws. They are strongly encouraged to use the same personal and
professional courtesies and considerations in electronic mail as
they would in other forms of communication.
The confidentiality of electronic mail cannot be assured. DTC does
not routinely inspect, monitor, or disclose electronic mail without
the holder's consent. It may, however, deny access to its electronic
mail services and may inspect, monitor, or disclose electronic mail
when required by and consistent with law, when there is substantiated
reason to believe that violations of law or of DTC policies have
taken place, when there are compelling circumstances, or under time-dependent,
critical operational circumstances.
Access to DTC electronic mail services a privilege. Electronic mail
systems, services, and electronic mail addresses or accounts associated
with DTC are the property of the college. Students are expected
to comply with college requests for copies of electronic mail records
in their possession that pertain to the administrative business
of the college, or whose disclosure is required to comply with applicable
laws, regardless of whether such records reside on a computer housed
or owned by the College.
Both DTC policy and the law prohibit the theft or other abuse of
computing resources. Such prohibitions apply to electronic mail
services and include unauthorized entry, use, transfer, and tampering
with the accounts and files of others, and interference with the
work of others and with other computing facilities. DTC electronic
mail services and systems may not be used for unlawful activities,
commercial purposes not under the auspices of the college, or for
personal financial gain. DTC electronic mail users shall not give
the impression that they are representing, giving opinions, or otherwise
making statements on behalf of the college, or any unit of the college,
unless appropriately authorized to do so. DTC electronic mail users
shall not employ a false identity. Violators may be prosecuted to
the full extent of the law.
College electronic mail services shall not be used for purposes
that could reasonably be expected to cause, directly or indirectly,
excessive strain on any computing facilities, or unwarranted or
unsolicited interference with others' use of electronic mail or
electronic mail systems. Such uses include, but are not limited
to, the use of electronic mail services to send or forward electronic
mail chain letters, "spam," or "letter-bombs."
Users should exercise extreme caution in using electronic mail to
communicate confidential or sensitive matters.
Users should be aware that, during the performance of their duties,
network and computer operations personnel and system administrators
need from time to time to observe certain transactional addressing
information to ensure proper functioning of college electronic mail
services, and on these and other occasions may inadvertently see
the contents of electronic mail messages. They are not permitted
to see or read the contents intentionally or disclose or otherwise
use what they have seen. One exception, however, is that of systems
personnel (such as "postmasters") who may need to inspect
electronic mail when re-routing or disposing of otherwise undeliverable
electronic mail.
DTC attempts to provide secure and reliable electronic mail services.
Operators of college electronic mail services are expected to follow
sound professional practices in providing for the security of electronic
mail records, data, application programs, and system programs under
their jurisdiction. Since such professional practices and protections
are not foolproof, however, the security and confidentiality of
electronic mail cannot be guaranteed. Furthermore, operators of
electronic mail services have no control over the security of electronic
mail that has been downloaded to a user's computer. As a deterrent
to potential intruders and to misuse of electronic mail, electronic
mail users should employ whatever protections (such as passwords)
are available to them.
Users of electronic mail services should be aware that even though
the sender and recipient have discarded their copies of an electronic
mail record, there may be back-up copies that can be retrieved.
Electronic mail is normally backed up to assure system integrity
and reliability. It is DTC's policy to maintain two weeks worth
of back-ups.
DTC electronic mail users should be aware that generally it is not
possible to assure the longevity of electronic mail records for
record-keeping purposes. Electronic mail users and those in possession
of college records in the form of electronic mail are cautioned,
therefore, to be prudent in their reliance on electronic mail for
purposes of maintaining a lasting record. Sound business practice
suggests that consideration be given to transferring electronic
mail to a more lasting medium. Each user will be limited to 3MB
of mailbox space. Any electronic mail older than one year will be
automatically purged from the system.
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DeKalb Technical College Computing Resources Policy
_______________________________________________
Students, faculty and staff of DeKalb Technical College
have access to computing resources and may be issued a user account
to access some of these resources. The proper use of these resources
is the responsibility of the individual who is allowed to use them.
User accounts must not be shared; passwords should be protected. The
privilege of using these computing resources brings with it the responsibility
of exercising high standards of honesty and considerate behavior.
Students are expected to use these computing resources only for their
academic work, to demonstrate consideration of others, to not provide
computing resources access to unauthorized users, to respect the privacy
of others, and to obey all DeKalb Technical College regulations and
relevant laws. The intent of this policy is to allow maximum freedom
of use consistent with DeKalb Technical College policy, along with
state and federal law-to help ensure a productive learning and working
environment.
Using a computer without permission is theft
of services and is illegal under state and federal laws. In addition,
the following specific computer crimes are defined by state law (GA
Code 16-9-90 et seq.):
· Computer Theft (including theft
of computer services, intellectual property such as copyrighted material,
and any other property);
· Computer Trespass (unauthorized use of computers to
delete or alter data or interfere with others' usage);
· Computer Invasion of Privacy (unauthorized access
to financial or personal data or the like);
· Computer Forgery (forgery as defined by other laws,
but committed on a computer rather than on paper);
· Computer Password Disclosure (unauthorized disclosure
of a password resulting in damages exceeding $500 - in practice, this
includes any disclosure that requires a system security audit afterward).
· Misleading Transmittal of Names or Trademarks (falsely
identifying yourself or falsely claiming to speak for a person or
organization by using their name, trademark, logo, or seal (GA Code
16-9-93.1).
Maximum penalties for the first four crimes in the
list are a $50,000 fine and 15 years of imprisonment, plus civil liability.
The maximum penalties for computer password disclosure are a $5,000
fine and 1 year of imprisonment, plus civil liability.
DeKalb Technical College's computing resources are
provided for authorized users only. Privacy of our users is respected,
but general usage and system resources are monitored in order to detect
unauthorized access, illegal activities, and proper network performance.
When there is suspicion of illegal or inappropriate activities, users'
files are subject to inspection. Anyone using DeKalb Technical College's
computing resources expressly consents to this monitoring and is duly
advised that any evidence of criminal activity may be provided to
school officials and/or law enforcement officials.
The following regulations apply to all users:
1) Computing resources are intended to be used
for academic pursuits and should not be used for any type of commercial
gain or advertising;
2) Use of computing resources is for DeKalb Technical College
students, faculty, and staff in the pursuit of learning, teaching,
or in assisting the administrative operations in support of these
educational endeavors;
3) Deleted files are subject to being restored, using backup
software or other utilities, as necessary to document user abuse;
4) E-mail, along with other computer files, cannot be considered
private, given the open nature of the Internet; computer users should
avoid sending or storing confidential information;
5) Users of computing resources must not attempt unauthorized
access to computer installations outside of DeKalb Technical College's
network;
6) Users agree to abide by all patent, trademark, trade name, and
copyright laws. DeKalb Technical College prohibits the unauthorized
copying or electronic transmission of copyrighted computer software,
computer data, and software manuals. Such unauthorized duplication
or installation is grounds for disciplinary action by DeKalb Technical
College and is subject to criminal prosecution under the Federal Computer
Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986. According to the U.S. Copyright Statutes,
illegal reproduction or installation of software can be subject to
civil damages of $50,000 or more, and criminal penalties including
fines and imprisonment.
7) Users must not copy or delete software from any computer
or server;
8) Users must not copy unauthorized software to any computer
or server;
9) Users must not attempt to alter any restrictions associated
with their computer accounts;
10) Computer users must not use computing resources to send
or publish obscene, vulgar, rude, abusive, threatening, or harassing
messages via electronic mail or other means;
11) Computer users must not attempt to access, store, or print
offensive or pornographic material;
12) Computer users must not tamper with any computers, networks,
equipment, software, configuration parameters, files, or documentation;
this includes, but is not limited to, moving of equipment and connecting
devices to computing equipment;
13) Computer users must not intentionally damage, interfere
with, or copy the information of another user;
14) Computer users who maliciously introduce or spread computer
viruses will have their computing resources terminated and are subject
to other disciplinary action;
15) Users must refrain from monopolizing systems, overloading
systems or networks with excessive data, or wasting computer time,
connect time, disk space, printer paper, manuals, or other resources.
DeKalb Technical College will suspend or revoke computing privileges
to any individual or group who abuses the provisions listed above.
If deemed appropriate for further action, violators of the computer
resources regulations are subject to additional disciplinary action
by DeKalb Technical College; state and federal agencies will be notified
as necessary.
DeKalb Technical College makes no warranties of any kind, either express
or implied, for the computers, computer systems and Internet access
it provides. DeKalb Technical College shall not be responsible for
any damages users suffer, including but not limited to loss of data
resulting from delays or interruptions in service. DeKalb Technical
College shall not be responsible for the accuracy, nature or quality
of information gathered through technical college diskettes, hard
drives or servers; nor for the accuracy, nature or quality of information
gathered through technical college-provided Internet access. DeKalb
Technical College shall not be responsible for personal property used
to access Department computers or networks or for Technical college-provided
Internet access. DeKalb Technical College shall not be responsible
for unauthorized financial obligations resulting from technical college
provided access to the Internet.
I have read and understand the Computing Resources Policy and related
regulations stated above, in allowing me to use the computing resources
of DeKalb Technical College. I agree that I will abide by these regulations.
I, further, understand that DeKalb Technical College may suspend or
deny my privilege to use these computing resources if my conduct violates
the regulations given above.
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