ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY FOR THE USE OF COMPUTERS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Computing, data storage, and information retrieval systems are designed to serve the students, faculty, staff, and volunteers of the School of the Cathedral community. Network and Internet access is provided to further the legitimate educational goals of this institution. The School of the Cathedral provides computing and network resources for the use of students, employees, and others affiliated with the School of the Cathedral. Members of the School of the Cathedral community are encouraged to use the computers, software packages, electronic mail (e-mail), or outside the School of the Cathedral network software for educational or School of the Cathedral related activities and to facilitate the efficient exchange of useful information. However, the services are and remain the property of the School of the Cathedral. All users are expected to conduct their on-line activities in an ethical and legal fashion. The use of these resources is a privilege, not a right. Misuse of these resources will result in the suspension or loss of these privileges, as well as disciplinary, legal, and/or monetary consequences. Appropriate or acceptable educational uses of these resources include:

• Accessing the Internet to retrieve information from libraries, databases, and World Wide Web sites to enrich and expand curricula is encouraged.
• Using e-mail capabilities to facilitate distance-learning projects.
• Using Listservs and newsgroups to gain access to current information on local, state, national, and world events.

Examples of inappropriate or unacceptable use(s) of these resources include, but are not limited to, those uses that violate the law, violate the rules of network etiquette, or hamper the integrity or security of any network connected to the Internet. Some examples include:

• Transmission of any material in violation of any U.S. or state law, including, but not limited to: copyrighted material; threatening, harassing, pornographic, or obscene material; or material protected by trade secret is prohibited. The transmission of copyrighted materials without the written permission of the author or creator through School of the Cathedral e-mail or other network resources in violation of U.S. copyright law is prohibited. As with all forms of communications, e-mail or other network resources may not be used in a manner that is disruptive to the work or educational environment. The display or transmission of messages, images, cartoons, or the transmission or use of e-mail or other computer messages that are sexually explicit constitute harassment, which is prohibited by the School of the Cathedral (see Disciplinary Code in the Parent-Student Handbook). It is also illegal for anyone to knowingly allow any telecommunications facility under their control to be used for the transmission of illegal material.
• The use of the Internet for personal, financial, or commercial gain; product advertisement; political lobbying; or the sending of unsolicited junk mail or chain letters is prohibited.
• Vandalism is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, any attempt to harm or destroy the data of another user, the network/Internet, or any networks or sites connected to the network/Internet. Attempts to breach security codes and/or passwords will also be considered a form of vandalism.
• The creation, propagation, and/or use of computer viruses is prohibited.
• The forgery, reading, deleting, copying, or modifying of electronic mail (e-mail) messages of other users is prohibited.
• Willful destruction of computer hardware or software, or attempts to exceed or modify the parameters of the system are prohibited. Nothing in this policy shall prohibit the School of the Cathedral Network Administrator from intercepting and stopping e-mail messages that have the capacity to overload the computer resources. Discipline may be imposed for intentional overloading of the School of the Cathedral computer resources.

Access to the School of the Cathedral’s e-mail or similar electronic communication systems is a privilege, and certain responsibilities accompany that privilege. School of the Cathedral users are expected to demonstrate the same level of ethical and professional manner as is required in face-to-face or written communications. Anonymous or forged messages will be treated as a violation of this policy.

• Unauthorized attempts to access another person’s e-mail or similar electronic communications or to use another’s name, e-mail or computer address or workstation to send e-mail or similar electronic communications is prohibited and may subject the individual to disciplinary action. All users must understand that the School of the Cathedral cannot guarantee the privacy or confidentiality of electronic documents and any messages that are confidential as a matter of law should not be communicated via e-mail.
• The School of the Cathedral reserves the right to access e-mail to retrieve School of the Cathedral information and records, to engage in routine computer maintenance and housekeeping, to carry out internal investigations, or to disclose messages, data, or files to law enforcement authorities.
• Any information contained on a School of the Cathedral computer’s hard drive or computer disks, which were purchased by the School of the Cathedral, are considered the property of the School of the Cathedral.

This agreement applies to stand-alone units as well as units connected to the network or the Internet. Any attempt to violate the provisions of this agreement will result in revocation of the user’s privileges, regardless of the success or failure of the attempt. In addition, school disciplinary action, and/or appropriate legal action may be taken. The decision of the School of the Cathedral regarding inappropriate use of the technology or telecommunication resources is final. Monetary remuneration will be sought for damage necessitating repair or replacement of equipment.

[Back]