Acceptable Computer Usage Policy (05/14/2003)

This policy applies to all students, faculty, and staff, whether they are full time, part time or temporary.  This policy also applies to all college owned computer systems, including hardware, software, data, and the computer networks associated with these computers.

Craven Community College provides computer equipment and Internet access for faculty, staff, and students.  The primary purpose of the computer usage is for scholarly purposes and official college business. 

The college relies heavily on the computer network for its educational, operational, and financial needs.  Therefore, it is essential that the computer systems and computer network be maintained in a secure environment and used in a responsible manner.

A.     The computer systems must be protected from unauthorized access.  The individual user is responsible for safeguarding passwords.  If a user feels security has been compromised, it is their responsibility to report it to the appropriate college personnel.

B.     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.  The College reserves the right to monitor files that it has reason to believe violate College policy.

C.     Use of electronic mail or other network communications to harass or offend other users is prohibited.  Students and employees should have no expectation of privacy in the material sent or received by them over the College computer systems or networks.  While general content review will not be undertaken, monitoring of this material may occur if deemed necessary.

D.     The administrative and instructional computers are critical to the financial record keeping and instruction of the college.  Software sometimes causes incompatibility issues with other programs.  Because of this, administrative staff, faculty, and students should not install software without the prior written approval of their Dean and the Administrative Computer Services department.