The College, The Internet, and YOU
1. INTRODUCTION
The Golden West College Student Computer Center and the Internet represent powerful educational resources which will allow you to find information in this world-wide electronic network. You can connect to businesses, major universities, national libraries, other schools and other students around the world.
You need to learn the correct procedures and rules for using the network of information services. By using our computers, you agree to obey the guidelines. If you do not follow the guidelines, you will not be allowed to continue to use the system.
II. THE INTERNET
The Internet is a global network made up of many smaller contributing networks to support the open exchange of information among many different kinds of institutions all over the world. This system gives immediate access to information. It's like being able to open every book in any library from your computer. You can look at (and print out) articles, documents and pictures that you can use in your classes. The intent of the Golden West College Student Computer Center is to use connections on the Internet only for purposes consistent with our approved curriculum. So, anyone who uses the network illegally or improperly will lose the privilege of using it.
III. WHO IS WATCHING?
The Internet is a public place. You must always remember that you are sharing this space with many other users. Potentially millions of individuals at the same time may be interacting across the network. Your actions can be monitored by others on the network. Email, while it seems as private as sending a letter to an individual via the US MAIL, is NOT PRIVATE. Additionally, if you use a particular service on the network, chances are good that someone knows the connections that you are making, knows about the computer shareware that you have borrowed, and knows what you looked at while you were in the system. Because these connections are granted to you as part of the larger scope of the curriculum, the college reserves the right to monitor all traffic on the network. We do this to make sure that the Network continues to function properly for all of its users.
IV. STUDENT CONDUCT CODES
The network Acceptable Use Policy is an extension of the college's student code. These rules apply to vandalism of computer equipment, unauthorized access to information, computer piracy, hacking, and any tampering with hardware or software. These rules also apply to the electronic use of harassing and abusive or obscene language. You may not use the network to annoy, harass, or offend other people (flaming). Other types of damage and information loss to a computer system are viruses and worms. If you are responsible for a computer becoming infected with viruses or worms, you will be held liable.
V. ETHICAL ISSUES
The moral and ethical issues involving the use of world-wide information systems deal with the appropriate access to information, the type of information, and the behavior of the user. The Golden West College Student Computer Center wants to provide you with a stimulating educational environment, but at the same time, we must be sensitive to all students and their needs, such as students in viewing range of the computer you are using.
The college wants you to use this valuable educational tool, but at the same time we cannot condone the use of inappropriate information on the Internet. We simply acknowledge the fact that these materials exist and then ask you to actively avoid them. The network is designed to achieve and support instructional goals, and any information that does not support classroom learning is to be avoided.