The following is a set of regulations that govern the appropriate use of the computer network at Savannah Christian Preparatory School (SCPS). While it cannot cover every aspect of computer use, it does address many of the major concerns. This policy specifically details the expectation that all members of the SCPS community use their computers and the network in a safe,responsible, respectful, considerate, and appropriate manner.
I. Hardware (CPU, monitor, keyboard,
mouse, microphone, headphone, network cabling, printer, scanner,
camera, or other peripherals)
A. Users should
treat all equipment with respect.
B. No one shall
tamper with, treat roughly, or remove any piece of hardware or its cabling
from its proper location.
C. All users must
comply with use guidelines and restrictions from time to time posted or
distributed by the system administrator.
D. All users should show proper care for
all hardware items and cabling to minimize wear and tear on them and to
leave them in good working order for their next users.
E. Malfunctions or suspected
malfunctions should be reported to the system administrator for immediate
attention.
F. No one should attempt to repair
or modify any equipment without the direct supervision of the system administrator.
G. Sound is to be disabled unless
specifically authorized.
II. Applications and Software
A. All installation of software is the responsibility of the division coordinator
or system administrator
B. Users shall:
1. Not install any type of software to a computer or the server.
2. Not attempt to introduce system-corrupting software, such as viruses,
into any computer system or otherwise intentionally interfere with the
operation of any system.
3. Access only those applications made available to them by the system
administrator.
4. Not use or install unauthorized applications (e.g. games)
5. Not change any settings on computers. This includes, but is not
limited to, screen savers, wallpaper, fonts, display settings, printer
assignment, etc.
6. Not attempt to circumvent password protection or discover and use the
password in order to gain access to the protected portion of the system.
If a security loophole is discovered, it is the user's responsibility to
make the condition known to the system administrator and to avoid demonstrating
it to others.
7. Respect the need for security and confidentiality. The school
will have information on the server that is not open to the public.
Users are to make no efforts to bypass security systems and gain access
to information not intended for them.
8. Not attempt to alter, copy, transfer or remove any licensed software,
including programs, applications, data, files, or fonts that are installed
on any computer hard drives.
9. Observe the terms of software license agreements and Federal and State
laws pertaining to software copyrights.
III. Disks, Files and Documents
A. The work of individuals stored on floppy disks or saved on hard
drives is considered to be private.
1. Users shall not access, read, alter or copy work stored electronically
without the permission of the owner.
2. SCPS will consider unauthorized electronic copying or electronic theft
to be offenses subject to the SCPS honor and disciplinary codes just as
they would the copying or theft of information in written or other physical
form.
3. Work in progress in open documents is also considered the property of
the creator.
B. Outside disks shall not be introduced to any computer without
permission from the system administrator.
C. Students are not allowed to share disks unless they are working on a
group school project and have received approval from the system administrator.
IV. Internet and Other “On Line” Services
A. The goal in providing Internet access to teachers and students is to
promote educational excellence at SCPS by facilitating resource sharing,
innovation and communication.
B. The use of the school’s Internet connection is a privilege, not a right.
1. Failure to abide by any of guidelines could result in cancellation of
Internet access.
2. Any administrator, faculty member, or staff member may request the denial
of a student’s network privileges.
C. The following guidelines will be employed while using technology belonging
to SCPS.
1. Students must have written parental permission before being given Internet
privileges.
2. The user accepts personal responsibility for any information obtained
through the school’s Internet access.
3. The e-mail system is to be used only for the exchange of appropriate
information.
a. There are to be no emotionally charged, derogatory, or otherwise inappropriate
exchanges on the e-mail system.
b. Users may not give out personal information such as names, addresses
or phone numbers of themselves or others.
4. Internet is to be used for scholarly research and as a means of obtaining
needed information.
a. Users shall not access information that is inappropriate (e.g. - pornographic
materials, vulgarity, gambling, militant or extremist materials, etc.).
The school administration will make the final determination on such appropriateness.
5. Chat rooms, instant messaging, and the use of the Internet to play computer
games are prohibited, unless specifically authorized by the system administrator.
6. Students may not access their personal on-line services or web-based
e-mail using the school network.
7. Material obtained through research on the Internet and then used in
academic work is to be properly documented and credited. Note:
Since some material is unique to the Internet and can disappear overnight,
documentation might necessitate the printing of a hard copy.
8. Users may not violate copyright laws of the United States. If you have
any questions about what constitutes a violation, please see a member of
the computer department.
9. Users may not engage in illegal activities while using the Internet.
V. Disclaimer
The Savannah Christian
Preparatory School strives to maintain the highest moral and ethical standards.
SCPS makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for
the services it is providing. SCPS will be held blameless of any infraction
of local, state, federal, or international law advanced by those parties
signing this agreement. Civil liabilities are the sole responsibility of
the user and his/her guardian, with all transmissions or communications
being the sole property of the user unless written authorization accompanies
the transmission. SCPS reserves the right to terminate a user’s access
rights without prior notification.
This policy in no way
precludes the United States federal copyright law. Unauthorized copying
of licensed software is a direct violation of the United States federal
copyright law. This includes any programs, applications, databases, fonts,
and any other materials covered by copyright. In general, any
programs and software not clearly marked for redistribution should be wed
as proprietary and treated accordingly.