GENERAL EMPLOYMENT AND WORKPLACE ISSUES

Use of Computers/College Computing and Information Systems

Colby Community College respects the privacy of individuals and maintains User files and emails on central College Systems as private as possible. However, to protect the integrity of its information resources and the rights of all Users, the College reserves the right to monitor access to information resources, communications on the college network and use of systems and college data.

For reasons relating to compliance, security or legal proceedings (e.g., subpoenas) or in an emergency or in exceptional circumstances, the College’s Executive Council may authorize the reading, blocking or deleting of college data. In particular, in the context of a litigation or an investigation, it may be necessary to access college data with potentially relevant information.  Any such action taken must be immediately reported to the Executive Council.

College computers, computing and information systems are provided for students, employees, and other authorized users in support of the mission and ends of the College. The College limits the use of these resources to those applications which are deemed appropriate. No user shall engage in the following:

• Violate any institutional policies or procedures or use technology resources for unethical, illegal or criminal purposes;
• Violate the privacy of co-workers, students, patients, research subjects, alumni(ae) or donors;
• Violate the rights of any person protected by copyright, trade secret, patent or other intellectual property or similar laws and regulations (i.e., installing or distributing pirated or other inappropriately licensed software);
• Copy, distribute or transmit copyrighted materials unless authorized;
• Obstruct College work by consuming excessive amounts of network bandwidth and other system resources or by deliberately degrading performance of a computer;
• Create any program, web form or other mechanism that asks for a Colby Community College user identity and password other than user authentication mechanisms authorized;
• Intimidate, harass, threaten or otherwise do harm to other users or internal or external information resources;
• Transmit materials in violation of the College’s sexual harassment, hostile workplace or protection of minors policies;
• Make offers of products, items or services that are fraudulent;
• Intentionally cause a security incident (e.g., log into an account or access college data that the user is not authorized to access, etc.);
• Intercept or monitor college data not intended for the user unless specifically authorized by the applicable;
• Attempt to avoid the user authentication or security of systems or endpoints;
• Allow any unauthorized person to use institutional computers for personal use;
• Violate the policies of external networks and resources while using such external resources;
• Create or intentionally release computer viruses or worms or otherwise compromise a computer;
• Engage in frivolous, disruptive or inconsiderate conduct in computer labs or terminal areas;
• Use a college network to gain unauthorized access to a system or college data or to escalate privileges on a system; or
• Use information resources for commercial purposes, except when explicitly approved by the applicable manager. Prohibited uses include, but are not limited to, development of programs, data processing or computations for commercial use, preparation and presentation of advertising material and the running of a server connected to the college network.

Implied Consent: Each person with access to the College’s computing resources is responsible for appropriate use and agrees to comply with all applicable College and departmental policies and regulations, and with applicable City, County, State and Federal laws and regulations, as well as with the acceptable use policies of affiliated networks and systems. Each user is subject to monitoring of all communications, including e-mail.

[Added November 2021]