Acceptable Use Policy
Updated on May 5 2006
Purpose of Technology Resources
Bryan College provides technology resources including computer hardware/software, distance learning, teleconferencing, and Multi-Media equipment to support the educational mission of the college. The use of campus technology resources is to be guided by the Christian principles of wise stewardship and responsible use. All users share the responsibility for ensuring that these resources are used for their intended purpose. The privilege of using college technology resources is dependent upon responsible use.
The Acceptable Use Policy is administered by a Technology Steering Committee. This committee will set, update and maintain standards, uses, priorities, procedures and objectives for the use of Bryan College Technology Resources with approval of the Administrative Cabinet.
Users of Technology Resources
The technology resources of Bryan College including BryanNET (the campus network), the computer labs, faculty, staff and student computers and all other computers owned by Bryan College as well as A-V and other video equipment and peripherals are to be used only by currently enrolled students, faculty, administration and other employees of Bryan College consistent with student, faculty and staff handbooks. The use of the specialty labs are further restricted to students who are enrolled in designated classes.
Individuals or groups of individuals may become short-term users of the technology resources by enrolling in workshops, seminars or other short-term classes offered by the college for a specific purpose.
The Library Reference Computers may be used by anyone according to the criteria established by the library. All computers on campus require either a log-on with the username/password or enrollment in the appropriate class. Guest login for research purposes is available at library terminals.
All requests for the training of inservice teachers which involves the use of technology resources will be referred to the Chairman of the education department at Bryan College who will then contact the director of I.T. Services for assistance as needed.
All requests for training for all other individuals or groups outside the college which involves the use of technology resources will be referred to the academic vice president who will then contact the director of I.T. Services for assistance as needed.
Procedure
Any currently enrolled Bryan College student, currently employed faculty member or full-time staff person, can have access to BryanNET by obtaining a username and password from the office of the director of I.T. Services located in Mercer Hall.
Internet Use of BryanNET & BCInternet
The purpose of Internet access at Bryan College is to support the functions of academic and research activities, public service and information exchange. Bryan College computer users are responsible for maintaining the appropriate use of Internet resources in harmony with the purposes of the college as enumerated in the most recent issue of the official catalog. If a particular usage is not in the best interest of the institution or it it does not support the mission and purposes, then it should not be done.
BryanNET is not a secure network. Information that is transmitted over the network is not encrypted or made private between the sender and addressee. Anyone who can intercept the transmission has access to the information as if it were addressed to the interceptor. Sensitive or confidential information should not be sent over the networks.
The networks are not to be used for any unlawful purposes. Attempts to penetrate a remote site without proper authorization is strictly forbidden and also violates the Tennessee Code Annotated which states suitable punishment for violators.
If this institution is authorized to use gateways to other networks, all rules and conventions of the other networks must be followed. The institution having access to other networks should obtain and abide by that other network’s acceptable use policy. This institution is not authorized to use the networks to gain access to any other network which requires membership if the accessing institution does not have proper membership, rights, and privileges in the other network.
Disruption of any activity on a remote node is forbidden. Users are not to do anything concerning remote nodes that will cause the loss or corruption of data, the abnormal use of technology resources, or the introduction of computer viruses by any means.
Users must adhere to the standards of morality defined in the student, staff and faculty handbooks. The networks are not to be used for accessing, downloading or displaying obscene, erotic or pornographic materials.
The networks are not to be used for the transmission of threatening or harassing materials.
The networks are not to be used for recreational purposes, game playing, or other non-educational activities.
The networks are not to be used for commercial purposes or for-profit activities.
Users are to avoid excessive on-line time with no activity, i.e. "Get on, do the work and get off!" Unnecessary on-line time uses up valuable network bandwidth resulting in slowing down the transmission time.
Procedure
Access the Internet through any BryanNET computer.
E-Mail Use
When communicating via e-mail or other forms of computer-related communications, Bryan College computer users share responsibility for appropriate behavior. Therefore the following irresponsible uses of e-mail and other forms of computer-mediated communication are prohibited:
- Use of libelous or incendiary language
- Use of e-mail to harass or annoy
- Communication such as chain letters or widespread broadcasting of frivolous messages
- Use of sexually explicit language
- Use of racially offensive language
- Use for commercial or for-profit activities
Procedure
Access email at any BryanNET computer.
The computer user’s BryanNET email address is: username
For Internet e-mail, the email address is: username@bryan.edu
Security and Privacy of Technology Resources
Despite reasonable attempts to maintain the security and privacy of the user's electronic information, Bryan College cannot guarantee that electronic information is private. Due to the characteristics of operating and maintaining a network, system administrators retain the right to examine electronic information including e-mail and files as needed to investigate violations of acceptable use policies, measure system use, and perform necessary maintenance procedures. Sensitive or confidential information should not be stored on the networks or transmitted by e-mail, downloads or uploads.
The following activities are prohibited:
- Unauthorized access to programs or files (accessing any file or program without explicit authorization from the director of technology services).
- Attempts to subvert network security or damage technology resources.
- Attempts to break in to another user’s account.
- Deleting programs, installing programs, or otherwise modifying network files or programs without explicit authorization and instruction from the director of technology services.
- Use of hidden files or directories, exe, bat, com, bas or other executable files on the network without explicit authorization from the director of technology services.
- Use of individual accounts by anyone other than the specific individual to whom those accounts have been assigned, i.e. all users must have their own username.
- Use of an email address by anyone other than the specific individual to whom it has been assigned.
Legal Use of Technology Resources
All Bryan College technology users share responsibility to ensure the legal use of the resources.
Respect for intellectual labor and creativity is vital to academic discourse and enterprise. This principle applies to works of all authors and publishers in all media. It encompasses respect for the right to acknowledgement, right to privacy, and right to determine the form, manner, and terms of publication and distribution.
Respect for the intellectual work and property of others traditionally has been essential to the mission of colleges and universities. Because electronic information is volatile and easily reproduced, respect for the work and personal expression of others is especially critical in computer environments. Just as plagiarism is not tolerated, unauthorized copying of any software, including programs, applications, data bases and code is not condoned.
Violations of authorial integrity, including plagiarism, invasion of privacy, unauthorized access, and trade secret and copyright violations may be grounds for sanctions against members of the academic community.
If more than one copy is made for distributions (e.g., copies for each member of a class), permission should be sought from the author. Most permissions for Internet files can be obtained in a timely manner since the author’s e-mail address is usually affixed to the bottom of the document; therefore, the spontaneity rule for multiple copying does not usually apply.
If a user wants to quote or use portions of another person’s email discussion or document, permission should be sought from the author and the source of the quotes should be cited.
Software copied from the Internet should adhere to the software creator’s guidelines regarding use, licensing, copies, etc.
Environments Conducive to the Use of Technology Resources
All Bryan College technology users are responsible for ensuring that the college’s resources including the student computer labs, the faculty computer lab, the library computers, individual faculty computers and other faculty/student computers are used for their intended purpose of supporting research and learning.
The following behaviors are prohibited:
- Recreational computing which includes game playing.
- Excessive use of computing resources for activities of minimal educational benefit such as chatting.
- Loud talking and other noise
- Eating and drinking
- Littering
- Wasteful use of computer printer paper
Maintenance
Maintenance on college-owned computer systems and the networks is to be performed only by authorized personnel from the technology services department and is included in the technology services department budget.
Maintenance includes both hardware and software and neither is to be installed or un-installed on any college-owned computing resources except by technology services department personnel who are assigned the task by the director of technology services or upon special permission from the director of I.T. Services.
Upgrades in equipment or software, i.e. additional memory, faster motherboard or CPU, larger monitor, new software, etc., are not considered maintenance and must be included in the individual department’s budget.
The college does not maintain the student’s personally-owned computer or accessories.
Procedure
Complete the college’s standard work order form in as great a detail as necessary for understanding and submit it to the technology services office. The work order will be evaluated by the director of technology services and assigned to the appropriate individual for disposition.
Computer Resources Purchasing
All purchases of computer resources such as equipment, peripherals, software, etc. that will become the property of Bryan College and is to be maintained by the technology services department must be approved by the director of technology services to ensure compatibility.
Procedure
Obtain the signature of the director of I.T. Services on an appropriately completed purchase order form (also on the computer equipment request form for purchases more than $250). The director will assist in the completion of the forms as necessary.
Violations of Policies Concerning the Use of Technology Resources
Violations of any of these policies concerning the use of technology resources must be considered serious and can result in the loss of computing privileges, disciplinary action and/or legal action as appropriate.
The enforcement of approved policies and procedures for students will be done by the office of student life.
The enforcement of approved policies and procedures for faculty will be done by the academic vice president.
The enforcement of approved policies and procedures for staff will be done by the president's office.
