6.21 Electronic Communications Policy
See version historyElectronic communications (e.g., electronic mail (e-mail), instant messaging (IM), and listservs) are services provided by Central Piedmont Community College as aids in the transfer of information and may be used for a wide variety of on- and off-campus communication relating to College business. This policy addresses the expectations for and use of electronic communications. This policy applies to all electronic communication services established by the College for faculty, staff, students, and any other users of College electronic communication services.
I. Policy
Users of electronic communication services must respect the rights of others and conduct themselves in a lawful and ethical manner. Users of the College's electronic communication services are required to comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws and all College policies and procedures.
Generally, a user's electronic communications will not be censored or monitored except in one of the following types of situations: 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.
Users of CPCC electronic communications who are found to have purposely engaged in the unacceptable uses of College electronic communications 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. Expectations
Access to College electronic communication services is provided to support College business.
Users may expect reasonable access to electronic communication services; however, this cannot be guaranteed to be available at all times and in all circumstances.
In certain circumstances an individual's electronic communication services account may have to be accessed for routine management or maintenance purposes.
Distribution of messages to the entire College community will be managed by the office of the Assistant to the President for Community Relations.
Employees on extended leave from the College are expected to make arrangements to manage their electronic communication accounts during their absences.
The College will backup e-mail messages solely for the purpose of disaster recovery and retain these backups for a period of 30 days before recycling the backup medium, thus deleting the emails.
Electronic communication service users must accurately identify themselves in their electronic correspondence.
Upon dismissal or resignation, faculty and staff will make all e-mail files related to College business available to the appropriate College administrator who will authorize termination of the account. Dismissal for cause or expulsion will result in immediate termination of e-mail accounts.
III. Acceptable Uses
Central Piedmont Community College recognizes that electronic communication facilitates both College business and academic pursuits. Examples of acceptable use of electronic communication services include:
Official College business
Academic research
Occasional non-commercial personal use
Instruction
Service on behalf of the College
Professional development
IV. Unacceptable Uses
Examples of unacceptable uses of electronic communication services include:
Commercial ventures, personal profit, and solicitations for contributions for non-College sponsored activities
Breaking into another user's electronic mailbox, or reading someone else's electronic mail without permission
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, time bombs, worms, or other rogue programming
