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MATC students are encouraged to make innovative and creative use of information
technologies in support of achieving their educational goals. Access to
information representing a multitude of views on current and historical
topics is allowed for the interest, information and enlightenment of the
MATC community. These guidelines are intended to respect the rights and
obligations of academic freedom. MATC recognizes that the purpose of copyright
is to protect the rights of the creators of intellectual property and
to prevent the unauthorized use or sale of works available in the private
sector. An individual's right of access to computer materials should not
be denied or abridged because of race, creed, color, age, national origin,
gender, sexual orientation or disability.
- MATC cannot protect
individuals against the existence or receipt of material that may be
offensive to them. As such, those who make use of electronic communications
are warned that they may come across or be recipients of material they
find offensive. Those who use email and/or make information about themselves
available on the Internet should be forewarned that MATC cannot protect
them from invasions of privacy and other possible dangers that could
result from the individual's distribution of personal information.
- MATC's computing
and network resources are to be used only by authorized persons for
research, learning, enrichment, and the dissemination of scholarly information.
The computing and network facilities at MATC are limited and should
be used wisely and carefully with consideration for the needs of others.
- Computers and
network systems offer powerful tools for communications among members
of the MATC community and of communities outside of MATC. When used
appropriately, these tools can enhance dialog and communications. When
used unlawfully or inappropriately, however, these tools can infringe
on the beliefs or rights of others. Students are responsible for not
taking any action that could be defined as harassment.
- All users of computing
facilities must act responsibly and maintain the integrity of these
resources. MATC reserves the right to limit, restrict or extend computing
privileges and access to it resources.
- The Department
of Information Technology and Systems (DoITS) is responsible for maintaining
computer resources in the district, and should be notified about violations
of computer laws and policies, as well as about potential vulnerabilities
in the security of its computer systems and networks. DoITS and the
user community are expected to cooperate in the appropriate operation
of District computer systems and networks, as well as in the investigation
of misuse or abuse.
- Although all members
of the community have an expectation of privacy, if a user is suspected
of violating the College's Acceptable Use Guidelines, his or her right
to privacy may be superseded by the College's requirement to protect
the integrity of information technology resources, the rights of all
users and the property of the College. The College, thus, reserves the
right to examine material stored on or transmitted through its facilities
if there is cause to believe that the standards for acceptable and ethical
use are being violated.
Guidelines and
Responsibilities
The following examples, though not covering every situation, specify some
of the guidelines and responsibilities that accompany computer use at
MATC and/or on networks to which MATC is connected.
- Users may use only
their own computer accounts. You must not use a USER ID that was not
assigned to you, unless multiple accesses have been authorized for the
ID. Users may not supply false or misleading data nor improperly obtain
another's password in order to gain access to computers or network systems,
data, or information. The negligence of another user in revealing an
account name or password is not considered authorized use. Users must
not attempt to subvert the restrictions associated with their computer
accounts.
- You must not use
the College's network resources to gain or attempt to gain unauthorized
access to remote computers.
- You must not knowingly
tamper with, obstruct, or impair the availability of MATC resources,
or attempt to do so.
- You must not knowingly
send a crippling number of files across the network; introduce damaging,
self-propagating, or otherwise harmful software into a machine or a
network;
- You must not knowingly
hoard computer, network or print resources in an attempt to deliberately
degrade performance or deny service to others in the user community.
- You must not attempt
to remove or modify computer or network equipment without proper authorization.
- You must not intentionally
make changes to software or hardware, which damages or disrupts a computing
system, alters its normal performance, or causes it to malfunction.
- You must not attempt
to circumvent data protection schemes or uncover security loopholes.
- You must abide
by the terms of all software licensing agreements and copyright laws.
The copying of copyrighted materials, such as third-party software,
without the express written permission of the owner or the proper license,
is prohibited.
- The following
type of information or software cannot be installed or loaded on any
college-owned computer system:
- Material, which
is offensive, obscene or abusive and may violate the College's Student
Code of Conduct on harassment. Users of MATC computer systems must
make themselves familiar with, and comply with, the College's
codes concerning all forms of harassment.
- Using electronic
mail to harass or threaten others. This includes sending repeated,
unwanted email to another user.
- That which
infringes upon the rights of another person.
- That which
consists of information that may injure someone else and/or lead
to a lawsuit or criminal charges. Examples of these are: pirated
software, destructive software, pornographic materials, or libelous
statements.
- That which
uses computer resources for personal commercial gain, or other commercial
purpose without approval by the College.
- You must not harass
others by sending annoying, threatening, libelous, or sexually, racially,
or religiously offensive email messages.
- You must not attempt
to monitor another user's data communications, nor may you read, copy,
change, or delete another user's files or software, without permission
of the owner.
- You must not use
any of the College's microcomputers, workstations, or networks for other
than a MATC course, research project, personal communications or enrichment
activities.
- To the greatest
extent possible in a public setting we want to preserve the individual's
privacy. However, users must recognize that MATC computer systems and
networks are public and subject to the Wisconsin Open Records Act.
- MATC computer
users must understand that the District cannot guarantee the privacy
or confidentiality of electronic documents and any information that
is confidential should not be communicated electronically.
- The District reserves
the right to access email, electronic files, system logs and computer
systems to engage in routine computer maintenance and housekeeping,
to carry out internal investigations, to prepare responses to requests
for public records or to disclose messages, data or files to law enforcement
authorities.
- DoITS and the
user community need to cooperate in its operation of computer systems
and networks as well as the investigation of misuse or abuse. Accordingly,
while users need not expect regular examination of such files, users
must be aware that the files on College systems and networks are subject
to inspection.
- Misuse of computing,
networking or other information resources may result in the loss of
computing privileges and/or disciplinary action. Additionally, misuse
can be prosecuted under applicable state statutes. Users may be held
accountable for their conduct under applicable College policies, procedures
or collective bargaining agreements. Complaints alleging misuse of College
resources will be directed to those responsible for taking appropriate
disciplinary action.
- The computing systems,
networks and associated facilities at the College are intended to support
the College mission, vision and values and to enhance the educational
environment. Users must be aware that they have access to valuable and
sensitive resources and that their computer practices can adversely
affect others. Open access to the Internet is a privilege, and requires
that individual users act responsibly. Users must respect the rights
of other users, respect the integrity of the systems and related physical
resources, and observe all relevant laws, regulations, policies and
contractual obligations.
If you have any questions
concerning these guidelines, or wish to report a violation of these guidelines,
you may call the DoITS administrator at (608) 246-6111 or the DoITS help
desk at (608) 246-6666.
Last Modified:
January 25, 2007
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