The purpose of this policy is to ensure a computing environment that will support the academic, research, and service mission of LaGrange College. Simply stated, continued and efficient accessibility of campus computing and network facilities depends on the responsible behavior of the entire user community. The College seeks to provide students, faculty, and staff with the greatest possible access to campus information technology resources within the limits of institutional priorities and financial capabilities and consistent with generally accepted principles of ethics that govern the College community. To that end, this policy addresses the many issues involved in responsible use of the College’s information technology, including systems, software, and data. Each authorized user of information technology assumes responsibility for his or her own behavior while utilizing these resources. Users of information technology at LaGrange College accept that the same moral and ethical behavior that guides our non-computing environments also guides our computing and networking environment. Any infraction of this policy may result minimally in loss of computer and network access privileges, or may result in criminal prosecution.

All users of the College information technology resources agree to abide by the terms of this policy. Information technology resources include, but are not limited to, College owned computers and information technology hardware, the College campus network, information sources accessible through the campus network, and Internet access. When accessing any remote resources utilizing LaGrange College information technology, users are required to comply with both the policies set forth in this document and all applicable policies governing the use and access of the remote resource. The College, through a review and amendment process directed by the Instructional and Information Round Table (IITR), reserves the right to amend this policy. As far as possible, changes will be made only after consulting with the user community. LaGrange College computing resources and associated user accounts are to be used only for the College activities for which they are assigned or intended. The computing systems are not to be used for any non-college related commercial purpose, public or private, either for profit or non-profit. Unless placed in public domain by its owners, software programs are protected by Section 11 7 of the 1976 Copyright Act. It is illegal to duplicate, copy, or distribute software or its documentation without the permission of the copyright owner. Copyright protection of text, images, video and audio must also be respected in all uses of College technology resources. The LaGrange College Campus Network must not be used to serve information outside of LaGrange College without written permission approved by the IITR.

Many technology resources at LaGrange College are accessed through user accounts. No user accounts should be used to execute computer software or programs or attempt to gain access to resources other than software, programs or resources specifically granted and offered for use by LaGrange College. All users are responsible for both the protection of their account passwords and the data stored in their user accounts. Sharing a password is prohibited. Users should change their password periodically to help prevent unauthorized access of their user account. Any suspected unauthorized access of a user account should be reported immediately to the Executive Director of Instructional & Information Technology or another College authority. User accounts will be deactivated when the user’s affiliation with the College is terminated and all files and other data will be removed from those accounts.

The College provides email accounts for students, faculty and staff. All course information and other official College communication will only be sent to campus email addresses. Email must not be used for purposes inconsistent with the mission of the College. Users may not conceal, mask or misrepresent their identity when sending email or other electronic messages. Transmission of abusive, harassing or libelous electronic messages is forbidden. Deliberate transmission or propagation of malicious programs such as viruses, worms, Trojan Horses or participation in denial of service attacks are subject to disciplinary and possible criminal action. Users must make appropriate use of the subject line in postings to all college related mail groups (aliases).

Microcomputer labs on the LaGrange College campus are available for general use by students, faculty and staff except during the periods when the rooms have been reserved for teaching purposes. It is the responsibility of every user to use these facilities in a responsible manner. Accidental damage or damage caused by other parties should be reported as soon as possible so that corrective action can be taken.

Any authorized user or group at the College may have a personal home page on a LaGrange College World Wide Web server, provided that the graphical images, multimedia information, text, or the intent of the home page do not refute the mission of LaGrange College. Users must sign a Registered Information Provider Agreement before webpages are placed on the server. Groups must designate an individual as their Registered Information Provider, who is responsible for the content of their web pages. Registered Information Provider Agreements must be renewed annually. Failure to renew will result in removal of content from the web server. No individual user is authorized to create and serve a website on the World Wide Web utilizing College computer resources. Applications for personal web pages should be made to the Director of Information Systems.

Access to the Internet is available in dormitory rooms for students who bring to campus, personal computers meeting the minimum specifications defined by Information Systems. These specifications are revised annually and will be made available to all new students. After the student pays a one-time hook-up fee, Information Systems personnel will configure the student’s PC with the proper software to access the Internet. By accessing the College Network, students agree to abide by this usage policy. Information Systems will only support software installed by Information Systems personnel. Students must not change network configurations.

Students are responsible for all network traffic originating from their network access. Students should employ appropriate and up-to-date anti-virus software.

The College provides network access in classrooms, laboratories, the library, offices and student dormitory rooms. While the College is committed to free speech and open access to information and communication, these must be tempered by the need to respect others’ rights to speech, access and communication. Each user is expected to balance their needs with the needs and expectations of the College community as a whole. The College reserves the rights to limit bandwidth to users and access to non-academic, resource intensive applications if they threaten to interfere with academic uses of the campus network.

Users on the network must not attempt to conceal, mask or misrepresent their identity or the identity of computers when using the network. Users shall not employ software or hardware that interferes with the operation or security of the network. Users shall not interfere with the administration of the campus network nor shall they attempt to breach any network or resource security system. In administering the network, network activities of users may be monitored as to type and quantity.

Users are responsible for all network activities originating from resources provided them by the College.

Within institutional priorities and financial capabilities, LaGrange College provides reasonable security against unauthorized intrusion and damage to data, files and messages stored on its computer systems. The College maintains facilities for archiving and retrieving data stored in user accounts. If a user needs to recover data after an accidental loss, Information Systems staff should be contacted and every reasonable attempt will be made to recover the lost or corrupted data. Neither the College nor any Information Systems staff can be held accountable for unauthorized access by other users, nor can they guarantee data protection in the event of media failure, fire, criminal acts or natural disaster.

Use of physical facilities for information technology by guests (individuals not currently enrolled as students or currently employed as faculty or staff members of LaGrange College) and alumni is allowed only within William and Evelyn Banks Library and under the supervision of library staff. Additionally, such access is allowed only when existing resources are not being fully utilized by LaGrange College students, faculty, or staff. The use of technological resources may be extended to alumni and friends of LaGrange College without the imposition of a "user fee." A "per printed page" user fee established by Banks Library will be assessed for use of College printing resources.

Because Information technologies change at so rapid a rate, updates to the Responsible Use Policy may be made between printings of College publications. It is the responsibility of the user to keep informed of the guidelines in this policy, which will be available on the LaGrange College Website (www.lgc.edu).