Best Practices Guide
Chapter 5– Internet Use
5.1 Campus Internet Guidelines5.2 Library Computer Workstations
5.3 Printing Guidelines
5.1 Campus Internet Guidelines
At Wake Technical Community College, Information Technology Services (ITS) has provided equipment and access for students, faculty and staff to connect to the Internet. The College wants the Internet to be an effective resource that adheres to the mission of the College. Users of Wake Tech’s computer services are expected to abide by the General Usage Policy of the College, which is intended to preserve the utility of the system, to protect the privacy and work of students, faculty, and staff, and to preserve the right to access the international networks to which the College systems are connected.
(Excerpted from the Wake Technical Community College Handbook)
General Usage Guideline
- The College prohibits accessing Internet services that do not further educational interests. This specifically includes, but is not limited to, subjects pertaining to pornography. Accessing or distributing pornographic materials is a violation of this policy that will result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination or expulsion.
- Use of electronic mail and other network communications facilities to harass, offend, or evade the privacy of other users of the network is prohibited. The College reserves the right to access files which it has reason to believe violate College policy. Data, including email stored on College systems, is the property of the College.
- Violation of any of the above provisions will result in disciplinary action, up to and including, termination or expulsion.
5.2 Library Computer Workstations
Library computers are for “Research and Educational” purposes only.
In order to maintain an efficient and appropriate use of the workstation area and computers in the libraries, users must adhere to guidelines of appropriate and responsible use as outlined below:
- The computer workstations are for the sole use of College faculty, staff, students, and other authorized users. They are primarily for educational purposes, including but not limited to, instructional and research needs. However, library instructional classes will take precedence. Signage will be posted accordingly.
- Displaying sexually explicit and/or pornographic materials on the computer screen is a violation of Wake Tech Internet use policy. Users will be asked to close the sites and leave the workstation area. If this is for a class assignment and/or research needs, the user will be asked to produce documentation to that effect.
- It is unacceptable use of the workstation area if users unlawfully use the computers to disseminate fraudulent, obscene, harassing, or threatening messages.
- It is unacceptable use of the workstation area if users connect non-college owned computers – laptop, desktop, or other non-college owned peripheral devices to the college LAN.
- It is unacceptable use of the workstation area if users indulge in the modification or removal of equipment or software.
- It is unacceptable use of the workstation area if users violate
copyright laws or license agreements. See United States code Title 17
http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title17/title17.html - Violation of this policy may result in the suspension of such user from the library workstation area, and a referral will be sent to the Dean of Students for possible disciplinary action, which may lead to suspension, termination or expulsion from the college.
- Use of e-mail and other Web-related sites should be for purposes of communicating or documenting class or educational related activities.
5.3 Printing Guidelines
Printers are provided at the Wake Tech Libraries for the purpose of printing materials related to class work, research, and other education related activities. Users are asked to comply within reason with regard to wasteful printing, large print jobs, or printing inappropriate or non-school related materials.