SUBJECT: COMPUTER AND NETWORK USE
PURPOSE: To promote and ensure the responsible use of college and System
computers and networks
As with any college system, the MCCS seeks to enhance opportunities for
individual and collaborative learning and research. As a public institution
with limited resources and distinct policy and legal obligations, the MCCS
also needs to ensure that such uses are consistent with those resources and
obligations. The goal of this Policy is to balance these interests and
promote responsible and secure use for all.
I. Application
This policy applies to:
A. Each college and other entity of the MCCS;
B. All computing resources owned or operated by the MCCS including, but not
limited to, all hardware, software, peripherals, networks, network
components, accounts, physical and logical data, e-mail and all other data
or information transmitted by such equipment (“computers”);
C. All employees, students and other persons who use such computers
(“users”); and
D. In addition to any other computer use policy adopted by entities within
the MCCS, and by entities outside the MCCS that operate resources accessed
through or from the MCCS.
II. General Rules
A. Educational Priority
The priority use of MCCS’ computers is to provide direct support for
learning, teaching and administration of MCCS programs. Such priority will
govern access to MCCS’ computers.
B. Use is a Privilege, Not a Right
Use of MCCS computers and accounts thereon is a privilege, not a right. This
privilege is limited by the provisions of this Policy, any other pertinent
policy or law, and may be withdrawn for violation thereof.
C. Limited Right of Privacy
Users may not have an expectation of privacy in their use of MCCS’ computers
or networks. For example, MCCS reserves the following rights:
1. Periodic Network Monitoring
MCCS reserves the right to monitor periodically, randomly and without notice
use rates, patterns, speed and system capacity to ensure the efficiency or
integrity of the MCCS network and its computers. Such monitoring may proceed
only by a person expressly authorized by the MCCS or college president;
2. Inspection of a Particular Account or Computer
MCCS reserves the right to inspect those accounts, computers or files that
MCCS has reason to believe are misused, corrupt or damaged. Such inspection
may proceed only by a person expressly authorized by the MCCS or college
president and as advised by the MCCS General Counsel; and
3. Access by Outside Agencies
User accounts, computers or files may also be subject to access in response
to subpoenas or other valid orders by a court or law enforcement agencies.
Users will be notified as promptly as possible, unless notification is
precluded by such subpoena or order.
D. Limited Designated Forum
The MCCS computer network constitutes a limited designated forum. This forum
is designated for the limited purpose of helping students pursue, faculty to
provide, and non-teaching staff to support the Colleges’ education, training
and related programs.
E. Time, Manner and Place Limitations
MCCS reserves the right to limit certain uses on or through MCCS computers
at those times and locations that MCCS determines are necessary to regulate
system capacity and speed. These limitations apply, but are not limited to,
the downloading of video, music, photographic and other large data files.
F. Website and Webpage Development and Management
Any website, webpage or other portion of a website hosted by a server owned,
operated or maintained by a College or the MCCS is the property and speech
of the MCCS, and the MCCS reserves all rights to control the access to,
content of, and all other aspects regarding such web pages or websites. The
President’s Council shall adopt a procedure for controlling the development
and management of such web pages and websites, including standards
controlling links to web pages and/or websites that are not owned, operated
or maintained by a College or the MCCS.
III. Specific Prohibitions
Conduct that violates this Policy includes, but is not limited to, the
following:
A. Displaying, downloading, printing or distributing obscene, sexually
explicit or sexually offensive images or text in a manner that constitutes
sexual harassment or other violation of law;
B. Violating copyright laws, including their unlawful reproduction or
dissemination of copyrighted text, images and other protected materials;
C. Using System computers for commercial activity, such as selling products
or services;
D. Unauthorized access to or use of a computer, computer account or network;
E. Connecting unauthorized equipment to a college or MCCS network;
F. Unauthorized attempts to circumvent data protection or security
including, but not limited to, creating or running programs that identify
security loopholes or decrypt secure data;
G. Deliberately or negligently performing an act that will interfere with
the regular operation of a computer;
H. Deliberately or negligently running or installing a program that, by
intent or effect, damages a computer, system or network. This includes, but
is not limited to, programs known as computer “viruses,” “Trojan horses” and
“worms;”
I. Deliberately or negligently wasting computing resources;
J. Deliberately or negligently overloading computing resources, such as
running excessive programs that use relatively substantial bandwidth and
other resources. This includes, but is not limited to, peer-to-peer
applications;
K. Violating terms of applicable software licensing agreements;
L. Using electronic mail to harass or threaten another person or
organization;
M. Initiating or perpetuating electronic chain letters or unauthorized mass
mailings. This includes, but is not limited to: multiple mailings to news
groups, mailing lists or individuals; “spamming;” “flooding;” and “bombing;”
N. Misrepresenting or misappropriating the identity of a person or computer
in an electronic communication;
O. Transmitting or reproducing materials that are libelous or defamatory;
P. Unauthorized monitoring of another user’s electronic communications; or
reading, copying, changing or deleting another user’s files or software
without authority;
Q. Communications that use public resources to promote partisan political
activities;
R. Communications that are not otherwise protected by law because they
constitute, for example, defamation, incitement to unlawful conduct, an
imminent threat of actual violence or harm, fighting words, terrorist
threats, gross disobedience of legitimate rules, criminal or severe civil
harassment or false advertising; and
S. Otherwise violating existing laws or System policies.
IV. Enforcement
Violation of this Policy may result in the loss of computing and/or network
access; other disciplinary action; or appropriate civil or criminal legal
action.
V. Security
Upon recommendations of the College Directors of Information Technology and
the MCCS Director of Information, the Presidents’ Council shall adopt a
procedure that provides adequate uniform security for all System and college
computers and networks.
REFERENCES:
Date Effective: June 27, 2001
Approved by: Board of Trustees, June 27, 2001
REVISED: November 28, 2001; 2007
