Computer Facilities
Computer facilities are available at all major instructional locations. Open computer laboratory times are posted adjacent to all computer laboratory entrances. In addition, all libraries and resource centers have computers with access to the Internet. These computers are available to students during posted library/resource center hours. An Internet connection is also provided for students residing in the student residence centers on the Vernon campus.
ACCEPTABLE USE OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESOURCES
Personal Responsibilities
Every student has personal responsibility for reporting any misuse of Vernon College’s telecommunications facilities to the Institutional Support Specialist (940-552-6291 ext. 2242) or to his/her instructor. Misuse includes, but is not limited to, the following:
1. sharing of passwords any account access information;
2. invasion of privacy of other users;
3. unauthorized access to data belonging to other users;
4. downloading or installing any software (e.g. newer browser versions, instant messengers, games, add-ins) to the hard drive of a Vernon College computer;
5. changing the home page setup and/or any other settings on a Vernon College computer; and
6. violating any of the Inappropriate Network Use provisions listed below.
Inappropriate Network Use
On Vernon College computers and on personal computers connected to the Internet in the student residence centers, students may not download, upload, save, receive, send or publish web pages, e- mail, messages, social media content or other material related to, containing, or including any of the following:
1. offensive material of any kind, including pornographic, obscene or other inappropriate material (see Policy on Pornography);
2. material promoting discrimination on the basis of race, gender, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, or disability;
3. information promoting, encouraging or facilitating illegal activities, including terrorism;
4. information or messages encouraging the use of illegal substances;
5. abusive, inflammatory, obscene or otherwise objectionable language;
6. information or messages threatening or encouraging violent behavior;
7. copyrighted materials, including but not limited to music, movies and software, subject to the following two exceptions:
a. the student has paid for the downloaded item, and it is downloaded to a student-owned computer in a student residence center.
b. the student has been directed to download the item by a Vernon College instructor.
Vernon College’s Internet and e-mail services must not be used for any of the following:
1. commercial advertising;
2. publishing material or sending messages for personal financial gain;
3. unethical or illegal solicitation;
4. sending a message with someone else’s name on it;
5. sending a large number of personal messages from computers on campus;
6. knowingly placing a computer virus, worm or Trojan on the network;
7. publishing or distributing unlawful information;
8. sending unsolicited bulk e-mail messages commonly known as spam;
9. gambling;
10. peer-to-peer networking, such as bittorrent (1st violation results in visit with the Dean of Student Services; second violation results in suspension of Internet access);
11. forwarding chain letters.
Policy on Pornography
Vernon College’s computers are not to be used for knowingly accessing, downloading, or uploading sexually explicit graphics and information in terms patently offensive as measured by contemporary community standards. However, material that has specific instructional uses at Vernon College is excluded from this statement. For example, nursing and biology students may need access to graphics and text dealing with human anatomy or sexuality even though some community members will consider such graphics sexually explicit and offensive. This statement is not meant to limit academic freedom in any way.
Network Security
Security is a high priority in the Vernon College system. Any user who identifies a security problem is required to report it immediately to the Information Technology Department. The problem should never be demonstrated to any person outside this department.
Email Policy
The purpose of the Vernon College student email policy is to ensure the proper use of Vernon College’s email system and make users aware of what Vernon College deems as acceptable and unacceptable use of its email system. The college reserves the right to amend this policy at its discretion. In case of amendments, users will be informed appropriately.
Email is an educational communication tool and users are obliged to use this tool in a responsible, effective and lawful manner. Although email seems to be less formal than other written communication, the same laws apply. Therefore, it is important that you are aware of the legal risks of email:
• If you send or forward emails with any libelous, defamatory, offensive, racist of obscene remarks, you can be held liable.
• If you unlawfully forward confidential information, you can be held liable.
• If you unlawfully forward or copy messages without permission, you can be held liable for copyright infringement
• If you send an attachment that contains a virus, you can be held liable.
Email is a mechanism for official communication within Vernon College. The college has the right to expect that such communications will be received and read in a timely fashion. Official email communications are intended only to meet the academic and administrative needs of the college community. New Vernon College students are issued a student ID, and a student email address. Students are expected to check their email on a frequent and consistent basis in order to stay current with college related communications. Students have the responsibility to recognize that certain communications may be time-critical.
Vernon College considers email as an important means of communication and recognizes the importance of proper email content in conveying a professional image. Users should take the same care in drafting an email as they would for any other communication. Although the email system is meant for educational use, Vernon College allows limited personal usage if it is reasonable. However, the sending of chain letters, junk mail, jokes and executables is prohibited. All messages distributed via the college’s email system are college property. Users expressly waive any right of privacy in anything they create, store, send or receive on the college computer system.
Web Pages
Web pages may be designed by students as part of classroom instruction. These pages will only be put on the Vernon College web server for students at the request of the instructor.
Security of Personal Information
Students should be aware that not all Internet sites are secure. If students choose to transmit personal information such as credit card numbers or social security numbers while using Vernon College’s telecommunications facilities, they do so at their own risk. Vernon College cannot be responsible for any problems that occur.