Technology Policy

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Acceptable Use of Information Technology Policy

Introduction

The policy for Responsible Use of Information Technology (IT) contains the governing philosophy for all applicable activities by students, staff and other approved users of the College's information technology resources and facilities.  This policy establishes the general principles regarding appropriate use of equipment, software, and networks including, but is not limited to: computing equipment, telephones and telephony systems, fax machines, videoconferencing and satellite transmission systems, Internet and electronic mail systems, and computer and video networks.

Policy

Acceptable Use of Information Technology

All use of Information Technology shall be for purposes of, or in support of:

• teaching and learning;
• research; or
• economic development.

Unacceptable Use of Information Technology

• It is not acceptable to use the College's equipment or facilities for any illegal purposes which violate U.S. or state laws.
• It is not acceptable to use the College's facilities in such a way as to interfere with or disrupt network users, services or equipment.  Such interference or disruption includes, but is not limited to: to conduct profit-making activities or distribution of unsolicited advertising unrelated to College of Lake County, transmission of threatening, obscene, or harassing materials or otherwise unwelcome e-mail; propagation of computer worms or viruses; computer game playing; to do intentional damage or otherwise interfere with other individuals' use of the Internet or computer files or programs; copy for personal use College-owned software; or use of the network to make unauthorized entry to other computational, information, or communications devices or resources.

In pursuit of its teaching and learning mission, the College provides access to information technology facilities and resources for students, faculty, staff, and other authorized users within institutional priorities and financial capabilities.

Access to the College's IT facilities and resources is a privilege granted to students, faculty, staff and other authorized users.  Access to facilities and resources may be granted by the College based on the College's judgment of the following factors: relevant laws and contractual obligations, the requester's need to know, the information's sensitivity, and the risk of damage to or loss by the College.

The College reserves the right to limit, restrict, extend or deny computing privileges and access to its IT resources.  The College may allow individuals other than college students, faculty, or staff access to information so long as such access does not violate any license or contractual agreement; College policy; or any federal, state, county, or local law or ordinance.

Information technology provides important means of communication, both public and private.  Authorized users and system administrators will respect the privacy of person-to-person communications in all forms, including voice (telephone), text (electronic mail, file transfer, fax), image (graphics, television, videoconferencing, and satellite systems).  The College reserves the right to monitor and record the usage of all information technology facilities and resources if threatening or abusive behavior has been reported.

All members of the College community who use IT facilities and resources must act responsibly in their use of the resources.  Every user is responsible for the integrity of the resources.  All users of the College's IT facilities and resources must respect the rights of other users, respect the integrity of the physical facilities, comply with all pertinent licenses, contractual agreements, and operating procedures, and uphold the highest standard of ethics.

Enforcement

Intentional or negligent corruption or misuse of IT facilities and resources are direct violations of the College's standards for conduct.  Alleged violations of this policy will be processed in accordance with the processes outlined in the College's Policy Manual.  Access and use violations of information technology facilities and resources will be treated seriously.  The College will pursue criminal and civil prosecution of violators as it deems necessary.

Note:
College of Lake County is indebted to Oakton Community College for considerable use of their Responsible Use Policy.

College of Lake County is indebted to CICNet, Inc. for considerable use of their policy statements regarding the acceptable and unacceptable use of technology.

Adopted 2/18/1997