Student Computer Policies
- Student Computer Use Guidelines
- Student Computing Resources Policy
- Copyright Law and Peer-to-Peer File Sharing
Student Computer Use Guidelines
The following are guidelines that are offered to supplement and help clarify the Clark College Student Computing Resources Policy.- Do report problems (computer or other) to the Lab Assistant.
- Do read and abide by the Clark College Student Computing Resources Policy.
- Do yield your seat in a computer lab to a fellow student who is waiting if you are engaged in recreational activities (web surfing, Solitaire, etc).
- Do conserve resources (paper, toner, ink). Carefully preview documents prior to printing. Notify the Lab Assistant immediately if you inadvertently print a long document, or wish to stop a print job in progress.
- Do respect the rights of other students to work in a quiet environment.
- Don't attempt to load programs or executable files on lab computers.
- Don't attempt to physically move any equipment in the lab. Moving equipment may damage the equipment and/or cause network connectivity problems.
- Don't connect your personal computer or any other device to the Clark College network.
- Don't play Internet games or use IRC (or any other realtime chat application) unless it is part of a class activity. These activities use up scarce network capacity.
- Don't bring food or drink into the computer labs.
Suspension
of Privileges
The following are some examples of activities that will result
in the suspension of your computing privileges at Clark:
Nudity/Pornography
Don't use Clark College computing facilities to view or download
materials containing nudity or pornography. Material of this type is offensive
to many people and is not acceptable at Clark. Furthermore, the definition
of pornography is not open for debate. If a student inadvertently accesses
material containing nudity/pornography, the student should promptly exit
the application and inform the instructor or Lab Assistant of the error.
Exception
#1–It is permissible to use College computing facilities to view/download
materials that contain nudity for authorized study and research in the
areas of art, health, and science. It is the student's responsibility
to exercise good judgment when deciding whether or not the material is
appropriate. When in doubt, ask a Lab Assistant.
Exception #2–If a student wishes to pursue scholarly research or study
on Internet pornography or other potentially offensive topics using College
computing resources, the student must obtain a letter from an instructor
describing the proposed research and learning objectives. The letter is
to be forwarded to the Director of IT Services. The College will
provide an appropriate setting where the student may conduct the research.
In no case shall research of this type be conducted in College computer
labs.
Discrimination / Harassment
The use Clark College computing resources to harass or discriminate
against any individual or group of individuals, whether part of the Clark
community or not, will not be tolerated.
Fraudulent
Activity
Forging electronic messages or engaging in fraudulent activity
of any kind will result in the loss of your computing privileges.
Hacking
Students who are caught hacking or attempting to hack Clark College
computing resources, or any other computer system by way of the Clark
College network will lose their computing privileges and possibly face
disciplinary and criminal action. Hacking includes, but is not limited
to, activities such as gaining unauthorized access to data, files, or
directories; unauthorized examination, alteration, creation, or deletion
of data, files, or directories; executing password cracking programs;
unauthorized use of another user's account; unauthorized use of protocol
analyzers or "sniffers"; spamming; sending e-mail bombs; and infecting
computer systems with a virus or similar program.
Destruction
of Property
Students who willfully or through anger damage or destroy state
property will lose their computing privileges, and face disciplinary action.
Failure
to Obey the Instructions of a Lab Assistant or Instructor
Computer labs are staffed by student employees who are there
to help other students and to operate the labs in accordance with College
policy. Students are expected to follow the instructions of the Lab Assistants
whether or not they agree with the instructions. If a student disagrees
with a Lab Assistant or has other concerns or comments, the student may
contact the Lab Manager. Outbursts, verbal abuse, harassment, or threats
will not be tolerated.
Student Computing Resources Policy
| Intent |
Intent
It is the policy of the College to maintain access for its students to local, national, and international sources of information and to provide an atmosphere that encourages access to knowledge and the sharing of information. It is expected that College computing resources will be used by students with respect for the public trust through which they have been provided and in accordance with policy and regulations established by the College.
| Scope |
In this policy, computing resources are defined as those computers, computer software, networks, and electronic messaging systems (e-mail, voice mail, facsimile and imaging systems) operated by or for the benefit of the students of the College. The use of these resources is a privilege, not a right. It is the student's responsibility to use these resources in a manner that is efficient, ethical and legal.
Students shall strictly adhere to both the letter and spirit of this policy which is provided to insure a predictable, secure computing environment for all users. Failure to comply with the regulations set forth in this policy may result in loss of access to College computing resources and administrative, civil and criminal action under Washington State or federal law.
| General Provisions |
- Students may use only those computing resources that they have been specifically authorized to use, and the use of any College computing resource is limited to authorized educational purposes.
- If access to computing resources is protected by a personal password, students are not to make this password available to others or allow others to use a password-protected account. Students may not accept another student's password or attempt to find out the password of another user or aid such attempt by any other person. In some instances, shared accounts may be established to allow collaboration, in which case a password may be shared.
- Students may not interfere with the use of computing resources by any other authorized user.
- Students may not use College computing resources for any commercial activity.
- Students may not use the College's computing resources to send, receive, or display information including text, images, or voice that is sexually explicit, or constitutes discrimination or harassment. "Sexually explicit material" is defined in RCW 9.68.130, but exempts authorized study and research in the areas of art, health, and science. Policies related to discrimination and harassment are specifically addressed in the Clark College Code of Student Conduct, Sections WAC 132N-121-050-1 (d) and WAC 132N-121-060-14 & 15.
- Students may not examine, copy, alter, rename, or delete the files or programs of another user without the user's permission. System administrators may, as a requirement of system maintenance, delete files that are determined to be non-essential.
- Students may not forge any electronic message, or engage in any other fraudulent activity using College computing resources.
- Students may not subvert or attempt to subvert, or assist others to subvert, the security of any computing resource; or otherwise interfere with the legitimate operation of any computing resource whether internal or external to the College (hacking).
- The use of software or hardware devices designed to capture or examine network data (protocol analyzer or "sniffer") is restricted to authorized College staff for the purpose of network maintenance and instruction. Unauthorized use of such software or hardware devices is expressly forbidden.
- College computing resources may not be used to create, disseminate, or execute a self-replicating or similar nuisance program (e.g. virus, worm, Trojan horse, e-mail bomb, spamming), whether or not it is destructive in nature.
| Copyrights/Patents |
| External Networks and Computing Resources |
Students who use College computing resources to access external networks and computing resources agree to comply with the policies of those external networks and computing resources. Specifically, you agree to comply with the K-20 Network Conditions of Use and Acceptable Use Policies.
| Privacy |
Pursuant to the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2510 and following, notice is hereby given that there are no facilities provided by Clark College for sending or receiving confidential messages. Users must be aware that electronic messaging systems may not be secure from unauthorized access and should not be used to deliver confidential information.
Authorized College staff, with due regard for the right of privacy of students and the confidentiality of their data, have the right to suspend or modify access to computing resources, examine files, passwords, printouts, tapes, and any other material which may aid in the investigation of possible abuse. Students are expected to cooperate in such investigations when requested to do so. Failure to cooperate in investigations of possible abuse is grounds for discipline that includes suspension of access to computing resources, suspension from classes, and/or dismissal from school.
| Disclaimer |
The College accepts NO RESPONSIBILITY for any damage to or loss of data arising directly from or incident to the use of Clark College computing resources, or for any consequential loss or damage therefrom. It makes representation of NO WARRANTY, express or implied, regarding the computing resources offered, or their fitness for any particular use or purpose. The College's liability in the event of any loss or damage shall be LIMITED TO THE FEES AND CHARGES, IF ANY, PAID TOTHE COLLEGE for the use of the computing resources which resulted in said loss or damage.
| Enforcement |
Enforcement of the provisions of this policy lies with the Director of Information Technology Services in accordance with the provisions of the Clark College Code of Student Conduct (WAC 132N-121).
| Agreement to Comply |
Students implicitly acknowledge, by continued use of computing resources, their agreement to comply with all published policies governing the use of College computing resources.