DCSDNet Acceptable use policy
The purpose of the DCSDNet acceptable use policy is to provide the procedures,
rules, guidelines and the code of conduct for use of technology and the
information network in the Darlington County School District.
Definition
The definition of "information
network" is any configuration of hardware and software that connects users. The
network includes all of the computer hardware, operating system software,
application software and stored files. This includes electronic mail, local
databases, externally accessed databases, CD ROM, recorded magnetic or optical
media, clip art, digital images, digitized information, communications
technologies and new technologies as they become available. Stand alone
workstations are also governed by this acceptable use policy.
Introduction
Darlington County School
District network (DCSDNet)
provides resources for teaching and teaming, communication services and business
data services by maintaining access to local, regional, national and
international sources of information.
The DCSDNet
information resources will be used by members of the school community with
respect for the public trust through which they have been provided and in
accordance with policy and regulations established by the school district. These
procedures do not attempt to articulate all required or prescribed behavior by
its users.
Successful operation of the network
requires that all users conduct themselves in a responsible, decent, ethical and
polite manner while using the network. The user is ultimately responsible for
his/her actions in accessing network services.
Disclaimer
With access to computers and people
all over the world also comes the availability of materials that may not be
considered to be of educational value in the context of the school setting. On a
global network it is impossible to control all materials, and an industrious
user may discover controversial information. The district maintains and monitors
the use of content filters for Internet content. The district firmly believes
that the valuable information and interaction available on this worldwide
network far outweighs the possibility that users may procure materials that are
not consistent with the educational goals of the school/district.
Guidelines
Access to the networks and to the
information technology environment within DCSDNet is a
privilege and must be treated as such by all users of the network and its
associated systems.
DCSDNet will
be used for the purposes of research, education and school related business and
operations.
Any system which requires password
access, or for which the district requires an account, such as Internet, may
only be used by the authorized user. Account owners are ultimately responsible
for all activity under their account.
The resources of the DCSDNet are limited. All users must exercise prudence in the
shared use of this resource.
All communications and information
accessible via DCSDNet should be treated as property
of the district.
Unacceptable use
The district has the right to take
disciplinary action, remove computer and networking privileges and/or take legal
action for any activity characterized as unethical and unacceptable.
Unacceptable use activities constitute, but are not limited to, any activity
through which any user does the following.
Violates such
matters as institutional or third party copyright, license agreements or other
contracts. The unauthorized use of and/or copying of software are
illegal.
"It is against DCSD practice for staff
or DCSD to copy or reproduce any licensed software on DCSD computing equipment,
except as expressly permitted by the specific software license. Unauthorized use
of software is regarded as a serious matter and any such use is without the
consent of DCSD."
Interferes with or disrupts other
network users, services or equipment. Disruptions include, but are not limited
to, the following.
• distribution of unsolicited
advertising
• propagation of computer worms or
viruses
• distribution of quantities of
information that overwhelm the system (for example, "chain letters," "network
games" or "broadcasting" messages)
• utilization of the network to
make unauthorized entry into any other resource accessible via the network
Seeks to gain or gains unauthorized
access to information resources, obtains copies of or modifies files or other
data, or gains and communicates passwords belonging to other
users.
Uses or knowingly allows another to
use any computer, computer network, computer system, program or software to
devise or execute a scheme to defraud or to obtain money, property, services or
other things of value by false pretenses, promises or
representations.
Destroys, alters, dismantles,
disfigures, prevents rightful access to or otherwise interferes with the
integrity of computer-based information and/or information resources whether on
stand-alone or networked computers.
Invades the privacy of individuals or
entities.
Uses the network for commercial or
political activity.
Installs unauthorized software for use on
district computers.
Uses the network to store, distribute
or access materials inappropriate to the school district setting
Uses DCSDNet to compromise its integrity ("hacking"
software).
Submits, publishes or displays any
defamatory inaccurate, racially offensive, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually
oriented or threatening materials or messages either public or
private.
Uses DCSDNet for illegal, harassing, vandalizing, inappropriate
or obscene purposes, or in support of such activities. Illegal activities
will be defined as a violation of local, state and/or federal laws. Harassment
is defined as slurs, comments, jokes, innuendoes, unwelcome compliments,
cartoons, pranks and/or other verbal conduct relating to an individual that has
the following purposes or effects.
• creating an intimidating, hostile
or offensive environment
• unreasonably interfering with an
individual's work or school performance
• interfering with school
operations
Vandalism is defined as any attempt to
harm or destroy an operating system, application software or data. Inappropriate
use will be defined as a violation of the purpose and goal of the network.
Obscene activities will be defined as a violation of generally accepted social
standards for use of a publicly-owned and operated communication
vehicle.
District rights
Darlington County School
District reserves the right to do the
following.
Monitor all activity on DCSDNet.
Make determinations on whether
specific uses of the network are consistent with this acceptable use
policy.
Log network use and monitor storage
disk space utilization by users.
Deem what is appropriate use based on
the requirements of law, this policy and the district's legitimate pedagogical
concerns.
Remove a user's access to the network
at any time it is determined that the user is engaged in unauthorized activity
or violating this acceptable use policy and suspend any accounts during an
investigation of possible violations of this policy.
Cooperate fully with any investigation
concerning or relating to DCSDNet.
District
responsibilities
The district will do the
following.
Respect and enforce copyright laws and
regulations.
Take prudent steps to develop,
implement and maintain security procedures to insure the integrity of individual
and district files. However, information on any computer system cannot be
guaranteed to be inaccessible by other users.
Attempt to provide error free and
dependable access to technology resources associated with DCSDNet. However, the district cannot be held liable for any
information that may be lost, damaged or unavailable due to technical or other
difficulties.
Not permanently deny or remove a
user's access to the DCSDNet resources without
investigating the individual's alleged misuse of the Internet.
Accessing inappropriate
sites
Student Internet activities will be
monitored by the district to ensure students are not
accessing inappropriate sites that have visual depictions that include
obscenity, child pornography or are harmful to minors. The school district will
use technology protection measures to protect students from inappropriate
access.
District and school computer
technicians who are working with a computer and come across sexually explicit
images of children must report this to local law enforcement. The report must
include the name and address of the owner or person in possession of the
computer.
Disciplinary action
This acceptable use policy is
applicable to any member of the DCSDNet community and
refers to all information resources whether individually controlled, shared,
stand alone or networked. Disciplinary action, if any, for students, staff and
other users will be consistent with the district's standard policies and
practices. Where use of external networks is involved, policies governing such
use also are applicable and must be adhered to. Violations can constitute cause
of revocation of access privileges, suspension of access to school district
computers, other school disciplinary action and/or appropriate legal action.
Exact disciplinary measures will be determined on a case by case
basis.
Any user who violates the terms of
this policy or otherwise misuses the Internet and/or technology to access or
send inappropriate material will be subject to disciplinary action up to and
including a recommendation that the individual's employment with the district be
terminated. Violations of the laws of the United
States or the state of South Carolina also may subject the user to
criminal prosecution.
Adopted 12/8/03
Legal references:
Federal law:
47 USC Section 25 4
- Children's Internet Protection Act.
The Digital
Millennium Copyright Act of 1998, Section 512 - Limitations on liability
relating to material online.
S.C. Code of Laws, 1976, as
amended:
Section 16-3-850 - Encountering child
pornography while processing film or working on a computer
DARLINGTON COUNTY SCHOOL
DISTRICT
________________________________________
FILE: IJNDB-E(4) Employee Internet Use Agreement
Employee name
________________________________________________________________
Last name printed First name printed Middle
initial
The Darlington County School
District strongly believes in the educational value
of the Internet and recognizes its potential to support curriculum and student
learning by facilitating resource sharing, innovation and communication. The
district also believes this educational opportunity demands personal
responsibility and an understanding of the acceptable use policy for the
Internet by students and staff.
I have read and understand the rules
and requirements of accessing information on the Internet. I agree to abide by
the rules and I further understand that any violation of the rules is unethical
and may constitute a criminal offense. Should I commit any violation, my access
privileges may be revoked. Disciplinary and/or appropriate legal action may be
taken.
__________________________________________
________________________
Employee signature
Date
__________________________________________
Location
Please send this completed form
to:
The Office of Computer
Services
102 Park Street
Darlington, South Carolina
29532
DARLINGTON COUNTY SCHOOL
DISTRICT
________________________________________