STUDENT USE OF INTERNET POLICY
815 ACCEPTABLE USE OF INTERNET
The Joint Operating Committee supports the use of the Internet and other computer
Networks in the Berks Career and Technology Center's instructional program in order to
facilitate learning and teaching through interpersonal communications, access to
information, research and collaboration.
The use of network facilities will be consistent with the curriculum adopted by the
Berks Career and Technology Center as well as the varied instructional needs, learning styles,
Abilities, and developmental levels of students.
AUTHORITY
The Berks Career and Technology Center has taken precautions to restrict access to
controversial material. However, on a global network it is impossible to control all materials.
With access to computers and people all over the world also comes the availability of
material that may not be considered to be of educational value in the context of the school,
and an industrious user may discover controversial information. The electronic information
available to students and staff does not imply endorsement of the content by the Berks Career
and Technology Center, nor does the Career Center guarantee the accuracy of information
received on the Internet. The Career Center will not be responsible for any information that
may be lost, damaged or unavailable when using the network or for any information that is
retrieved via the Internet.
The Berks Career and Technology Center will not be responsible for any unauthorized
charged or fees resulting from access to the Internet. All unauthorized charges or fees will be
the sole responsibility of the user.
The Berks Career and Technology Center reserves the right to log network use and to
monitor fileserver space utilization by Career Center users to use software to monitor Internet
use, as well as the right to access, copy, monitor, and disclose all Internet and e-mail
messages. The Internet Administrator will regularly review e-mail messages. Users have no
expectation of privacy in connection with the electronic communications system.
RESPONSIBILITY
The Joint Operating Committee establishes that use of the Internet is a privilege, not a
right; inappropriate, unauthorized and illegal use will result in the cancellation of those
privileges and appropriate disciplinary action.
The Berks Career and Technology Center will make every effort to ensure that this
educational resource is used responsibly by students and staff.
Administrators, teachers and staff have a professional responsibility to work together
to help students develop the intellectual skills necessary discriminate among information
sources, to identify information appropriate to their age and development levels, and to
evaluate and use the information to meet their educational goals.
Students and staff have the responsibility to respect and protect the rights of every
other user in the Berks Career and Technology and on the Internet.
The Administrative Director or designee will have the authority to determine what is
inappropriate use, and his/her decision is final.
GUIDELINES
Network accounts are the property of the Berks Career and Technology Center and as
such, all communications and information accessible via the network are assumed to be public
property and are subject to review by school officials to ensure compliance with the policies
and guidelines established herein.
PROHIBITIONS
Students and staff are expected to act in responsible, ethical and legal manner in
accordance with Berks Career and Technology Center policy, accepted rules of network
etiquette, and federal and State law. Specifically, the following uses are prohibited:
1. Use of the network to facilitate illegal activity.
2. Use of the network for commercial or for-profit purposes.
3. Use of the network for non-work or non-school related work.
4. Use of the network for product advertisement or political lobbying.
5. Use of the network for hate mail, discriminatory remarks, and offensive or
inflammatory communication.
6. Unauthorized or illegal installation, distribution, reproduction, or use of copyrighted
materials.
7. Use of the network to access obscene or pornographic material.
8. Use of inappropriate language or profanity on the network.
9. Use of the network to transmit material likely to be offensive or objectionable
to
recipients.
10. Use of the network to intentionally obtain or modify files, passwords, and data
belonging to other users.
11. Impersonation of another user, anonymity, and pseudonyms.
12. Use of network facilities for fraudulent copying, communications, or modification of
materials in violation of copyright laws.
13. Loading or use of unauthorized games, programs, files, or other electronic media.
14. Use of the network to disrupt the work of other users.
15. Destruction, modification, or abuse of network hardware and software.
16. Quoting personal communications in a public forum without the original author's
prior consent.
SECURITY
System security is protected through the use of passwords. Failure to adequately
protect or update passwords could result in unauthorized access to personal or Career Center
files. To protect the integrity of the system, the following guidelines shall be followed:
1. Employees and students shall not reveal their passwords to another individual.
2. Users are not to use a computer that has been logged in under another student's or
teacher's name.
3. Any user identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other
computer systems may be denied access to the network.
SAFETY
To the greatest extend possible, users of the network will be protected from harassment or
unwanted or unsolicited communication. Any network user who receives threatening or
unwelcome communications shall immediately bring them to the attention of a teacher or
administrator.
Network users shall not reveal personal addresses or telephone numbers to other users on the
network.
CONSEQUENCES FOR INAPPROPRIATE USE
The network user shall be responsible for damages to the equipment, systems, and software
resulting from deliberate or willful acts.
Illegal use of the network; intentional deletion or damage to files of data belonging to others;
copyright violations or theft of services will be reported to the appropriate legal authorities; for
possible prosecution.
General rules for behavior and communications apply when using the Internet, in addition to
the stipulations of this policy. Loss of the access and other disciplinary actions shall be
consequences for inappropriate use.
Vandalism will result in cancellation of access privileges. Vandalism is defined as any
malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another user, Internet or other networks. This
includes but is not limited to the uploading or creation of computer viruses.
COPYRIGHT
The illegal use of copyrighted software by students and staff is prohibited. Any data uploaded
to or downloaded from the network shall be subject to "fair use" guidelines.