It is expected that access to the Internet will be limited to work-related research/communications. The College network and Internet services provide important resources for your day-to-day responsibilities and special projects. The College has an Intranet (WC @ Home) that has individual pages for most campus departments. Important information of interest to staff members is posted on these pages. Employees are urged to become familiar with the types of materials available on these pages.
The College’s electronic communications systems include, but are not limited to, any College technologies used to access, produce, and distribute data and information, as well as any future technologies acquired by the College to do the same: computers, servers, databases, e-mail, internet access, PCs, laptops, telephones, printers, scanners, cell phones, and fax machines.
The College recognizes that use of the Internet has many benefits for the College and its employees. The Internet and email make communication more efficient and effective. Therefore, employees are encouraged to use the Internet appropriately. Unacceptable usage of the Internet can place the College and others at risk.
The College’s electronic communications systems and the data transmitted through and contained within it are the College’s; sole property. Employees should not have any expectation of privacy for any files, documents, or other communications created, stored, or transmitted using these systems. This is true even when a password or other security is placed on the communication, and regardless of whether it is related to personal or business use. By accessing the internet, intranet, and electronic mail services through facilities provided by the College, an employee acknowledges and agrees that the Company (by itself or through its internet service provider) may from time to time audit, monitor, inspect, access, disclose, log, and gather statistics on team member internet activity and may examine all individual connections and communications to the maximum extent permitted by law.
The following guidelines have been established for using the College’s electronic communications systems in an appropriate, ethical, and professional manner:
- The College’s electronic communications systems may not be used for transmitting, retrieving, or storing of any communications of a defamatory, discriminatory, or harassing nature or materials that are obscene or pornographic. For example, no messages with derogatory or inflammatory remarks about an individual’s race, age, sex, disability, religion, national origin, gender identity/expression, or sexual orientation shall be transmitted. Harassment of any kind, including harassment using synthetic content, and image-based abuse is prohibited
- The College’s electronic communications systems may not be used for any illegal activities – including but not limited to piracy, hacking, extortion, blackmail, copyright infringement, or unauthorized access to any computers on the Internet or email.
- Employees may access only files or programs that they have permission to enter. Unauthorized review of files or use of passwords, installation of non-College owned software or hardware, removal of files or programs, or improper use of information contained in the electronic communications systems is prohibited.
- Copyrighted materials belonging to entities other than the College may not be transmitted by employees on the College’s network. All employees obtaining access to other companies’ or individuals’ materials must respect all copyrights and may not copy, retrieve, modify or forward copyrighted materials, except with permission or as a single copy to reference only.
- Do not use the system in a way that disrupts its use by others. This includes sending or receiving many large files and “spamming” (sending email messages to thousands of users.)
- The Internet is full of useful programs that can be downloaded, but some of them may contain computer viruses that can extensively damage our computers. Virus-check downloaded files immediately. Instructions on how to check for viruses are available through Information Services. Also, many browser add-on packages (called “plug-ins”) are available to download. There is no guarantee that such will be compatible with other programs on the network and such may cause problems; therefore, please refrain from downloading such plug-ins.
- Each employee is responsible for the content of all text, audio, or images they place or send over the College’s electronic communications systems. No email or other electronic communications may be sent which hide the identity of the sender or represent the sender as someone else. Also, be aware that the College’s name is attached to all messages, so use discretion in formulating messages.
- All electronic communications are College property. Therefore, the College reserves the right to examine, monitor and regulate email messages, directories and files, as well as Internet usage. Also, the Internet is not secure, so don’t assume that others cannot read or possibly alter messages.
- Employees must abide by the College’s information technology, security policies, and acceptable use policies.
An employee who abuses the privilege of College-facilitated access to the College’s electronic communications systems may have their access restricted, revoked, or denied and, if appropriate, be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.