Schomburg Charter School
Staff
Acceptable Use Policy Network/Online/Internet Services
Use of
communication software and on-line services is an important skill for today’s
technologically literate professionals.
Schomburg Charter School wants to open this important avenue of
telecommunication and research to our staff while ensuring their safety as well
as supporting legal policies.
1.
I have read and understood the Computer
Policy of Schomburg Charter School.
2.
Any use of the network for commercial or for
profit purposes is prohibited.
3.
Network accounts are to be used only
by those authorized to use the account.
4.
Communications via the network should not be
assumed to be private or privileged information.
5.
Malicious use of the network to develop
programs that harass other users, infiltrate a computer network system, and/or
damage the software components of a computer or computing system is prohibited.
6.
Use of the network to transmit material
likely to be offensive or objectionable to recipients is prohibited. (i.e., hate mail, harassment, discriminatory
remarks, flaming, slamming and other antisocial behaviors)
7.
The illegal installation of copyrighted
software for use on our computers is prohibited.
* Note: Please understand that the Internet is a
non-censored media and the possibly exists for inappropriate material to be
displayed. The utmost care will be
taken in the school to avoid this situation.
Schomburg Charter School will not be held liable for any indiscretions
involving E-mail/Internet use. Staff
should never respond to any messages that are suggestive, obscene or
threatening. Report such messages to
the Technology Team so they can correct the problem or forward a copy to the
service provider for investigation.
Schomburg
Charter School reserves the right to log network/Internet use; to monitor file
server space utilization by users; and remove a user from the network in the
event of unauthorized activity.
Abuse is
considered serious misconduct and will be dealt with by loss of computer
privileges. I understand that if I
violate any of the above rules, I could lose my computer privileges.
Staff Member
Name___________________________________________________________________________
(Please
Print) (Last) (First)
Staff Member
Signature____________________________________
SCHOMBURG CHARTER SCHOOL
Computer Use Policy
PURPOSE
Schomburg Charter School relies on its computer
network to conduct its business. To ensure that its employees, independent
contractors, agents and other users use its computer resources properly,
Schomburg Charter School has created this Computer Use Policy (the
"Policy").
The rules and obligations described in this Policy apply to all users (the "Users") of Schomburg Charter School’s computer resources, wherever they may be located. Violations will be taken very seriously and may result in disciplinary action including termination of employment as well as civil and criminal liability.
It is every employee's duty to use
Schomburg Charter School’s computer resources responsibly, professionally,
ethically and lawfully.
DEFINITIONS
From time to time in this Policy, we
refer to terms that require definitions:
The term “Computer Resources” refers to
Schomburg Charter School’s computer network. Specifically, Computer Resources,
whether owned or leased, include, but are not limited to: host computers, file
servers, application servers, communication servers, mail servers, fax servers,
web servers, workstations, stand-alone computers, laptops, software, data
files, and all internal and external computer and communications networks (for
example, Internet commercial online services, value-added networks, e-mail
systems) that may be accessed directly or indirectly from our computer network.
The
term “Users” refers to all employees, independent contractors, consultants,
temporary workers, students, family members, volunteers and other persons or
entities that use Schomburg Charter School Computer Resources.
POLICY
The Computer Resources are the property
of Schomburg Charter School. Users are permitted access to the computer system
to assist them in the performance of their jobs. Occasional, limited, and
appropriate personal use of the computer system is permitted when the use does
not: (1) interfere with the User's work performance; (2) interfere with any
other User’s work performance; (3) have undue impact on the operation of the
computer system; (4) violate any other provision of this Policy or any other
policy, guideline, or standard of Schomburg Charter School. At all times, Users
have the responsibility to use Computer Resources in a professional, ethical,
and lawful manner. Use of the computer system is a privilege that may be
revoked at any time.
In using or accessing our Computer
Resources, Users must comply with the following provisions.
1. No
Expectation of Privacy
No Expectation of Privacy: The computers and
computer accounts given to Users are to assist them in the performance of their
jobs. Users do not have an expectation of privacy in anything they create,
store, send, or receive on the computer system. The computer system belongs to
Schomburg Charter School and should be used primarily for business purposes.
Waiver of Privacy Rights: Users expressly waive
any right of privacy in anything they create, store, send, or receive on the
computer or through the Internet or any other computer network. Users consent to
allowing personnel of Schomburg Charter School to access and review all
materials Users create, store, send, or receive on the computer or through the
Internet or any other computer network. Users understand that Schomburg Charter
School may use human or automated means to monitor use of its Computer
Resources.
2. Prohibited
Activities
Prohibited Uses: Without prior written
permission from the Chief School Administrator, Schomburg Charter School’s
Computer Resources may not be used for dissemination or storage of commercial
or personal advertisements, solicitations, promotions, destructive programs
(that is, viruses or self-replicating code), political material, or any other
unauthorized use.
Inappropriate or Unlawful Material: Material that is
fraudulent, harassing, embarrassing, sexually explicit, profane, obscene,
intimidating, defamatory, or otherwise unlawful or inappropriate may not be
sent by e-mail or other forms of electronic communication (such as bulletin
board systems, newsgroups, chat groups) or displayed on or stored in Schomburg
Charter School’s computers. Users encountering or receiving this kind of
material should immediately report the incident to the Technology Manger.
Spoofing and Spamming: Users may not, under
any circumstances, use "spoofing" or other means to disguise their
identities in sending e-mail or other electronic communication via bulletin
boards, newsgroups, or chat groups. Without expressed permission of their
supervisors, users may not send unsolicited (“spamming”) e-mails to persons
with whom they do not have a prior relationship or bona fide business purpose.
Misuse of Software: Without prior written
authorization from the Chief School Administrator, Users may not do any of the following:
(1) copy software for use on their home computers; (2) provide copies of
software to any independent contractors or clients of Schomburg Charter School
or to any third person; (3) modify, revise, transform, recast or adapt any
software; or (4) reverse-engineer, disassemble, or decompile any software. Users who become aware of any misuse of
software or violation of copyright law should immediately report the incident
to the Technology Manager.
Communication of Trade Secrets: Unless expressly authorized
by the Chief School Administrator, sending, transmitting, or otherwise
disseminating proprietary data, trade secrets, or other confidential
information of the School is strictly prohibited. Unauthorized dissemination of
this information may result in substantial civil liability as well as severe
criminal penalties under the Economic Espionage Act of 1996.
3. Passwords
Responsibility for Passwords: Users are responsible
for safeguarding their passwords for access to the computer system. Individual
passwords should not be printed, stored online, or given to others. Users are
responsible for all transactions made using their passwords. No User may access
the computer system with another User's password or account.
Passwords Do Not Imply Privacy:
Use of passwords to gain access to the
computer system or to encode particular files or messages does not imply that
Users have an expectation of privacy in the material they create or receive on
the computer system. Schomburg Charter School has global passwords that permit
it access to all material stored on its computer system regardless of whether
that material has been encoded with a particular User's password.
4. Security
Accessing Other User’s Files: Users may not alter or
copy a file belonging to another User without first obtaining permission from
the owner of the file. Ability to read, alter, or copy a file belonging to
another user does not imply permission to read, alter, or copy that file. Users
may not use the computer system to "snoop" or pry into the affairs of
other users by unnecessarily reviewing the files and e-mail.
Accessing Other Computers and
Networks: A
User's ability to connect to other computer systems through the network or by a
modem does not imply a right to connect to those systems or to make use of
those systems unless specifically authorized by the administrators of those
systems.
Computer Security: Users may not attempt
to circumvent Schomburg Charter School’s data protection measures or uncover
security loopholes or bugs. Users may not gain or attempt to gain unauthorized
access to restricted areas or files on the computer system. Users should not
tamper with any software protections or restrictions placed on computer
applications, files, or directories. Users who engage in this type of activity
may be subject to immediate termination.
5. Viruses
Virus Detection: Viruses can cause
substantial damage to computer systems. Each User is responsible for taking
reasonable precautions to ensure he or she does not introduce viruses to
Schomburg Charter School’s network. To that end, all material received on
floppy disk or other magnetic or optical medium and all materials downloaded
form the Internet or from computers or networks that do not belong to Schomburg
Charter School MUST be scanned for viruses and other destructive programs
before being placed onto the computer system. Users should understand that
their home computers and laptops might contain viruses. All disks transferred
from home computers and laptops to Schomburg Charter School’s network MUST be
scanned for viruses.
Accessing the Internet: To ensure security and
avoid the spread of viruses, Users accessing the Internet through a computer attached
to Schomburg Charter School’s network must do so through an approved Internet
firewall. Accessing the Internet
directly, by modem, is strictly prohibited unless the computer you are using is
not connected to Schomburg Charter School’s network.
6. Encryption
Software
Use of Encryption Software: Users may not install
or use encryption software on any of Schomburg Charter School’s computers
without first obtaining written permission from the Technology Manager. Users
may not use passwords or encryption keys that are unknown to the Technology
Manager.
Export Restrictions: The federal government
has imposed restrictions on export of programs or files containing encryption
technology (such as e-mail programs that permit encryption of messages and electronic
commerce software that encodes transactions). Software containing encryption
technology is not to be placed on the Internet or transmitted in any way
outside the United States without prior written authorization from the Chief
School Administrator.