VHCC Computer Acceptable Use Policy

I.  PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for the use of all computers and computer information resources owned or administered by the college so as to (1) promote the mission of the college with regard to teaching, learning, research, and administration; (2) inform faculty, staff, and students with regard to their responsibilities associated with the use of the college’s computers and computer information resources; and (3) prohibit unauthorized or unacceptable use of the college’s computers and computer information resources.

II.  DEFINITIONS

 Computer -- Any microcomputer, minicomputer, mainframe, personal computer, workstation, word processing equipment, and associated peripherals and software owned or administered by Virginia Highlands Community College.

 Computer Information Resources--All computer information services and facilities, whether stand-alone, shared, or networked, that are owned, leased, operated, contracted, or accessed by the college.

 User--Any authorized full- or part-time student currently enrolled at the college, any authorized full- or part-time faculty or staff member currently employed by the college, or any other authorized individual or group of individuals granted use of college computers or computer information resources.

III. POLICY

 The use of Virginia Highlands Community College computers or computer information resources is restricted to authorized users only. Such authorization will be obtained through procedures established by the college's Library and Instructional Services Department. This authorization must be in compliance with related policies and procedures established by appropriate administrative units for various sites at the college that provide access to college computers or computer information resources. Such sites include, but are not limited to, microcomputer laboratories, libraries, and corporate development training centers, offices, and classrooms.

 College computers and computer information resources are to be used only for purposes directly related to teaching, learning, research, administration, and college-sanctioned activities pursuant to the mission of Virginia Highlands Community College. The utilization of college computers or computer information resources for political, commercial, recreational or personal purposes is strictly prohibited with the following provision:  personal, not-for-profit use of college computer resources by faculty and staff shall be permitted on an incidental and limited basis.  Examples of appropriate, personal, not-for-profit usage would be: 1) announcements of births, deaths, illnesses, accidents, retirements, promotions and weddings of VHCC employees and their immediate families, 2) announcements of fund raising activities for a nonprofit organizations in which a VHCC employee, or a member of their immediate family, is a member; the use of college-owned consumable supplies, such as paper and printer toner, is prohibited. Personal, not-for-profit use of college computer resources by students or other authorized users, regardless of location, shall be subject to the demand for such resources for teaching, learning, research, administration, and other college-sanctioned activities. The usage guidelines of the respective administrative unit will apply, as appropriate, and will be communicated to prospective users.

 The college shall honor all copyrights and license agreements associated with college-owned software and other online resources. Users shall not violate copyright regulations nor fail to honor the college's license agreements.

 Users who are found to be in violation of this policy are subject to disciplinary actions and may be restricted from or denied access to computer resources. Inappropriate use of college computer resources includes, but is not limited to:

• unauthorized use of said resources
• using said resources for political, commercial, or wrongful personal purposes
• using said resources to gain illegitimate access to other computer systems
• any breach of computer security measures
• any breach of confidentiality of computer files
• any violation of copyright laws or license agreements
• modification or removal of equipment or software
• connecting non-college owned laptop or desktop computers or other non-college owned peripheral devices to the college LAN
• using disruptive or destructive programs (viruses, etc.)
• disseminating unlawful, fraudulent, obscene, harassing, or threatening messages
• accessing, downloading, printing, or storing any information infrastructure files or services having sexually explicit content, except to the extent required in conjunction with a bona fide, agency-approved research project or other agency-approved undertaking.

Authority for the enforcement of related policies and procedures established for various computer-access sites at the college lies with the head of the administrative unit with oversight responsibility for the access site in question. 

IV. PROCEDURES

This procedure is used by the college supervisors to request computer access for their employees to the VHCC LAN and/or the Virginia Community College Network (VCCNet).

   1.  Each new faculty or staff user must complete the VCCS Information Technology Employee Ethics Agreement obtained in the division’s office or on the VHCC web page.  By completing this agreement the employee agrees to abide by all applicable state, federal, VCCS, and college policies, procedures, and standards that relate to the VCCS Information Security Policy, the VCCS Computer Ethics Guideline, and Chapter 52 of the Code of Virginia, which addresses restrictions on state employee access to information infrastructure. The VCCS Information Technology Employee Ethics Agreement should be mailed to the VHCC LAN administrator.

   2.   The supervisor must complete the Request for Computer Access form located on the VHCC web page for all VHCC and VCCS Utility applications and submit the form to the LAN administrator.

   3.   Request for access to VCCS Utility applications will be sent to the VCCS Utility helpdesk by Library and Instructional Technology (LIT) personnel to add or change VCCNet applications. 

   4.   The supervisor is responsible for notifying the LAN administrator when an employee is no longer eligible for VHCC and VCCS Utility applications.