Acceptable Internet Use Policy
Purpose of TFC Network & Internet Service
Toccoa Falls College provides network and Internet service to all students through in-room network connections, academic labs, library, and dial-in connections. The college provides this service primarily for academic pursuits and research. The purpose of this policy on Acceptable Network and Internet Usage is to outline students’ responsibilities in the legal, ethical, and appropriate use of college network and Internet services. This is done to provide quality educational usage while protecting data, computers, networks, and the rights of third party software vendors.
Guidelines
The college established these guidelines to protect both the college and the network user. Failure to comply with these guidelines may jeopardize a student's Internet account and usage of the network. The college promotes sharing information; however, there is an obligation on the part of each network user to respect the rights of others using these facilities. Students are responsible for using the computer facilities in an ethical manner that preserves the rights, goals, and objectives of Toccoa Falls College. The college owns all network resources and user accounts. Students must use these resources for legitimate instructional, research, administrative, or other approved purposes.
The TFC web site contains step-by-step instructions for setting up and connecting a student owned computer to the network. Hubs and switches may be used to attach multiple computers to a single network connection. All devices attached to the network must meet Ethernet 10BaseT and 100BaseTX standards. The college reserves the right to isolate and disconnect any device from the network which appears to be causing network problems or appears to be infected with malicious software (e.g., viruses and worms).
Students are asked to be good stewards of all computer-related resources. Laser printer toner and paper are provided in the computer labs and should be used for essential work. Multiple copies of papers and other documents should be made on photocopy machines and not on computer lab printers.
Although the college allows recreational use of the Internet, the primary purpose of the Internet service is for academic pursuits. E-mail, Web pages, newsgroups, and other electronic resources are for college-related activities. Students must not use them for fraudulent purposes. Students may not store or send harassing or slanderous messages or pornographic material. Students should not use E-mail or instant messaging for advertising, broadcasting unsolicited messages or annoying other users.
The college reserves the right to have authorized staff monitor the Internet activity of its students, staff, and faculty, including the listing of sites visited. It also may limit or restrict access to objectionable material on the Internet. Obscene, pornographic, sexually explicit, or offensive material may not be viewed, sent to, or stored on campus resources. Students are not allowed to degrade the performance of the campus network by seizing excessive amounts of network bandwidth.
Responsibilities
Students are limited to using only authorized computers, data, and software. The college prohibits students from accessing others’ data or software with the intent to read, browse, modify, copy, or delete files and software. Students are prohibited from copying, downloading or installing commercial software without first obtaining an appropriate license.
The college also prohibits using campus computers or networks to compromise other computers, networks, or to commit crimes or other unethical acts. Improper transfer of copyrighted material to or from any computer connected to the college network violates state and federal law and is strictly forbidden. This includes but is not limited to copyrighted text, graphics, images, music, movies, and videos. The college prohibits students from accessing and obtaining questionable material from the Internet. Examples include but are not limited to sexually explicit material, adult entertainment, drugs, racism, and hate groups.
Students must keep their computer account id, password and PIN number confidential. Any suspected compromise of this information must be reported to the IT department immediately. Students should not leave a computer without logging out.
Students should report any violations of the stated guidelines and responsibilities regarding computer access and security to the Information Technology and Internet Services Department immediately. All faculty, staff, and students are responsible for the legal and ethical usage of campus computers and user accounts. Violations of this policy could result in disciplinary action.