Acceptable Use Guidelines For Casper College Computing Resources
Review the technology acceptable use guidelines to understand responsible computing, data security and digital citizenship expectations.
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Information technology, as defined by the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA), is “the study, design, development, implementation, support or management of computer-based information systems, particularly software applications and computer hardware.” IT deals with the use of electronic computers and computer software to convert, store, protect, process, transmit, and securely retrieve information.
Our jobs encompass many aspects of computing and technology. The DoIT umbrella can be quite large, covering many fields. Our professionals perform a variety of duties that range from installing applications to designing complex computer networks and information databases. A few of the duties we perform may include data management, networking, engineering computer hardware, database and software design, as well as the management and administration of entire systems with the Casper College data framework. When computer and communications technologies are combined, the result is information technology, or “infotech.”
Feel free to contact us at any time for information and/or assistance.
All users must read, understand, and agree to follow these guidelines and policies. Users who fail to follow them may lose computer resource privileges and may also face civil or criminal penalties.
Faculty or staff violations may result in sanctions up to and including termination of employment. Student violations may result in sanctions up to and including expulsion.
All users of Casper College computing resources are expected to maintain appropriate system security, including protecting personal passwords so that resources are not subject to unauthorized use. Personal passwords may not be shared with students or non-college employees without prior approval from the Enterprise System Coordinator. Users must also respect the rights of others to privacy and freedom from theft, harassment, and copyright infringement. Security violations such as theft, vandalism, or unauthorized access must be reported to Casper College Security.
Users are expected to share resources fairly by avoiding activities that unnecessarily burden the system, including streaming audio or video that is not directly related to academic work. Each user is responsible for taking reasonable precautions to prevent viruses from being introduced into the college network. The IT department provides antivirus, spyware protection, and guidance for proper use.
Whenever possible, software should be requested and installed through the IT department so licensing agreements can be tracked and compatibility issues can be identified. If a user installs or downloads software independently, a copy of the software or its registration information should be provided to IT for its records. Users may personalize settings on their personal office computers as long as those settings do not interfere with performance. Personal settings may not be applied to shared computers without permission from IT, the lab supervisor, or all users of those computers.
Users should understand that the hardware, college-provided software, and other computing resources belong to Casper College. Although individuals may retain ownership of personal data stored on that equipment, Casper College does not guarantee its safety or provide technical support for it. Faculty and staff are given a network home folder that is backed up nightly. They may also be given access to shared network storage, though shared folders may not be backed up by IT. Any data not backed up by IT, including files stored on computer hard drives, is the responsibility of the owner to back up for safekeeping and disaster recovery.
Users may not use Casper College computing resources to operate a non-college business for personal financial gain, to take or solicit orders on an ongoing basis, to advertise personal services, or to carry out business activities for for-profit or nonprofit entities without prior approval. Users may not download files to lab hard drives or change personal settings on lab computers without direction from the instructor or lab supervisor. Lab staff may also impose additional limitations on non-academic use when necessary.
Users are prohibited from engaging in intentional, knowing, or reckless acts that result in denial of service or damage to college equipment, property, or facilities. They may not disclose confidential college records to unauthorized persons. Illegal or unethical use of college-owned resources is also prohibited.
Prohibited conduct includes downloading, storing, viewing, transmitting, producing, selling, purchasing, or trading sexually explicit material involving minors or depictions of death or torture. It also includes soliciting sexual conduct, visitation, or travel for sexual activity involving minors. Violations of Homeland Security or national security laws, as well as theft, fraud, money laundering, identity theft, and other financial crimes, are also prohibited. Harassment, intimidation, and hate crimes are prohibited as well.
Users may not intentionally damage computer or data resources through hacking, phishing, or creating or transmitting viruses. They may not attempt to monitor or capture network traffic or electronic communication without authorization. They also may not attempt to access another user’s password-protected data or communications, or delete another user’s data, without permission.
In addition, users may not possess, install, distribute, or run programs intended to gain unauthorized access or damage files or computer systems. They may not hide their identity or impersonate another person while using computing resources. Copyright infringement and other violations of intellectual property rights are prohibited. Downloading pornography, illegal data, or other materials that may harm, harass, or create a hostile environment for others is also prohibited.
To the extent possible in an electronic and public environment, a user’s privacy will be honored. However, users should understand that computing resources, hardware, and software are the property of Casper College. Personal data is not supported or protected by the college. Before accessing a single-user or faculty-assigned computer, the IT department will attempt to contact the assigned user.
It is not the college’s general practice to monitor the content of email transmissions, files, or other data maintained in its computing resources. However, there are important exceptions to that policy. Files on college equipment, servers, and personal computers may be reviewed as part of a specific investigation where there is reasonable cause. Any search must be limited to actual evidence of misconduct.
Before such a search takes place, the computer will be secured and the person under investigation will be notified and offered the opportunity to be present. Monitoring may also occur in connection with a specific investigation of a violation of law or college policy. This may happen when the college president or vice president reasonably believes a violation is occurring.
IT staff may also inadvertently encounter private information during routine network monitoring, troubleshooting, or system maintenance. If that reveals activity that violates the law or college policy, an investigation will begin. Access at this level is strictly limited. Those with such access are directed to respect privacy and keep confidential the contents of any messages, files, or documents they read.
The Department of Information Technology provides support for Google Apps, including Gmail services. It does not endorse or support other email clients such as Outlook. College email accounts are to be used only for official communications. Users should not share their college email address with individuals, services, businesses, social networking sites, or web forms unless the use is related to official college business.
The department reserves the right to disable or modify any college email account that is misused or negatively affects the performance of the email system or network. After graduation, students keep access and forwarding for six months. Their data and resources are archived 30 days later.
Faculty access to FAS online resources, including Google Apps email and calendar, expires 30 days after the faculty member’s designated last day of work. Data and resources are archived 30 days after that. Emeritus faculty and staff accounts may continue if requested by the employee and approved by the Director of Information Technology.
Staff access to online resources, including Google Apps email and calendar, ends immediately after the designated last day of work. Their data and resources are archived 30 days later.
Users may only be logged into one campus computer at a time, although multiple concurrent logins for faculty and staff may be requested. These limits exist as a basic security precaution. Users are responsible for logging out of unattended computers to reduce the risk of malicious activity, including unauthorized viewing or theft of personal information, unauthorized access to network resources, and attempts to compromise system security. Users are responsible and accountable for all activity that occurs on any computer while they are logged in, even if the computer is left unattended.