6.20 Use of CPCC Information Technologies

This policy addresses the acceptable use of technology resources provided by Central Piedmont Community College. The College expects employees and students to use computers, networks, network access, telephones, and other information technologies in a responsible, considerate, ethical, and lawful manner. Compliance with policies that ensure the security and integrity of all College information systems is mandatory and critical to ensure continuing provision  of technological resources to the entire CPCC community. This policy applies to all students, faculty and staff of the College and to all users of technology resources provided by the College.

I. Policy

Central Piedmont Community College understands that information technology has become vital in its mission of teaching and training. Thus, the College owns a variety of technological resources which are provided primarily to support the academic and administrative functions of the College. These technological resources enable users to locate and disseminate information, to communicate and collaborate with others in a global setting, and to build the necessary strategic technologies for the current and future needs of the College community.

Use of CPCC technology resources shall be consistent with local, state, and federal law and in accordance with all College policies and procedures. All CPCC users are responsible for using technological resources in an efficient, responsible, considerate, ethical, and lawful manner.

Disregard for the rights of authorship, including plagiarism, invasion of privacy, unauthorized access, and copyright violations, may be grounds for sanctions against members of the College community. Access to technology resources is a privilege, not a right, and as such, can be withdrawn from those who use it irresponsibly. Users of CPCC technology resources who are determined by the College to have purposely violated any of the information technologies policies will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension of access to technology resources, discharge, dismissal, suspension, expulsion, and/or legal action.

II. Acceptable Uses

CPCC information technologies resources may be used to fulfill the mission of the College for such purposes as instruction, independent study and research, and the official work of the College. Limited personal non-commercial use is acceptable. Any information distributed by a user of College technologies must accurately identify the creator, distributor, and recipient of that information.

III. Unacceptable Uses

CPCC technology resources may only be used for legal purposes and may not be used for any purpose which is illegal, immoral, unethical, dishonest, damaging to the reputation of CPCC, inconsistent with the mission of the College, or which may subject the College to liability. Unacceptable uses include, but are not limited to, the following:

Harassment

Libel or slander

Fraud or misrepresentation

Destruction of or damage to equipment, software, or data belonging to the College or to others

Disruption or unauthorized monitoring of electronic communications and electronically stored information

Infringement of copyright or trademark laws or rights of others

Use of CPCC's logo without prior approval of the Assistant to the President for Community Relations

Violation of computer system security

Unauthorized use of computer accounts, access codes (including passwords), or network identification numbers (including e-mail address) assigned to others

Unauthorized access to CPCC's information systems, Internet or other networked computers

Use of computer communications facilities in ways that unnecessarily impede the computing activities of others (such as randomly initiating interactive electronic communications or email exchanges, abuse of interactive network utilities, and so forth)

Use of computing facilities for commercial business purposes unrelated to the College

Academic dishonesty

Violation of software license agreements

Violation of network usage policies and regulations

Violation of privacy

Posting, sending or intentionally accessing pornographic, sexually explicit, or offensive material

Posting, sending or intentionally accessing material that is contrary to the mission of the College

Intentional distribution of computer viruses, trojan horses, timebombs, worms or other rogue programming

IV. Confidentiality

Central Piedmont Community College personnel or designees generally will not access content of user files subject to the following types of exceptions: the user gives prior consent; the College needs to ensure the security or operating performance of its systems or networks; the College has a reasonable concern that a violation of College policy or applicable law has occurred; or the College is complying with a valid subpoena or search warrant issued by a court of competent jurisdiction. While general content review will not typically be undertaken, monitoring of electronic information may occur for these reasons and others as necessary. For these reasons, the College cannot guarantee the privacy of electronic communications.