Hallettsville Independent
School District
Network
and Internet Acceptable Use Policy
Please read the
following carefully before signing this document. This is a legally binding
document.
I. OVERVIEW
The Hallettsville Independent School District (HISD) is
now making Internet access available to the students and staff of HISD. It is a privilege to have the vast, diverse,
and unique resources offered through the Internet available here at our
schools. Our goal in providing this
service is to promote educational excellence at HISD by facilitating resource
sharing, innovation, and communication.
The Internet is a vast, global network, linking computers at
universities, public and private schools, science labs, libraries, and other
sites. Through the Internet, one can
communicate with people all over the world through a number of discussion
forums, as well as through electronic mail.
In addition, many files are available for downloading on the Internet,
many of which are of educational value.
Because of its enormous size, the Internet’s potential is
boundless. The Internet expands
classroom resources dramatically by making many resources from all over the
world available to students, teachers, and media specialists, including
original source materials. It brings
information, data, images, and even computer software into the classroom from
places otherwise impossible to reach, and it does this almost instantly. Access to these resources can yield
individual and group projects, collaboration, curriculum materials, and idea
sharing not found in schools with Internet access.
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 a school setting. On a global network, it is impossible to
control all materials, and an industrious user may discover controversial
information. HISD firmly believes that
the valuable information and interaction available on this worldwide network
far outweighs the possibility that users may procure material that is not
consistent with the educational goals of this district. To this end, HISD uses Internet filtering
software specifically for schools.
Internet access is coordinated through a complex association
of government agencies educational agencies, and regional and state
networks. In addition, the smooth
operation of the network relies upon proper conduct of the end users who must
adhere to strict guidelines. These
guidelines are provided in this document so that users are fully informed and
may freely accept the responsibilities they will acquire. In general, the guidelines require efficient,
ethical and legal utilization of the network resources for educational purposes
only. This policy is also for acceptable
use of computers and networks that are not attached to the Internet. If an HISD Network user violates any of these
provisions, his or her account may be terminated and future access could
possibly be denied. The signature(s) on
the Acceptable Use Agreement Form located at the end of this handbook, is (are)
legally binding and indicate the party (parties) who signed this document has
(have) read the terms and conditions carefully and understand(s) their
significance.
II. ACCEPTABLE USE
Acceptable Use: HISD Network access may be used to improve
learning and teaching consistent with the educational goals of HISD. HISD expects legal, ethical, and efficient
use of the HISD Network for educational purposes only. Transmission of any material in violation of
any federal or state regulation is prohibited.
This includes, but is not limited to copyrighted material, threatening
or obscene material, or material protected by trade secret. Use for commercial activities by for-profit
institutions is generally not acceptable.
Use for product advertisement or political lobbying is also prohibited.
Privilege:
Use of a personal HISD Network account is a privilege not a right, and
inappropriate use will result in cancellation of those privileges. HISD administrators may direct network
administrators to deny, revoke, suspend, or restrict specific user accounts for
violation of network computing regulations and guidelines, or as the result of
other disciplinary action against the user.
III. HISD NETWORK AND
INTERNET COMPUTING REGULATIONS AND
GUIDELINES
HISD is responsible for providing system access for
authorized and legitimate users. This
responsibility includes informing users of expected standards of conduct and
the punitive measures for not adhering to them.
Any violation of the regulations and guidelines will result in
disciplinary action in the form of revocation or restriction of user
privileges. Permanent revocations can
result from disciplinary actions taken by HISD administration.
SECTION
I – GENERAL COMPUTING
Once a user receives an account or
formal permission to access the system, he/she is solely responsible for all
actions taken while using that account.
Therefore:
1. Applying
for an account or access under false pretenses is a punishable disciplinary
offense.
2. Sharing
an account or password with another person is prohibited. You are fully responsible for any actions
that occur in relation to your account or password.
3. Revealing
your personal address or phone numbers, or the address or phone numbers of
students, staff, or colleagues, is prohibited.
4. Deletion,
examination, copying, or modification of files and/or data belonging to others
without their prior consent is prohibited.
5. Continued
use of the network by monopolizing system resources that interferes with other
users, after receipt of a request to cease activity, is prohibited.
6. Use
of facilities and/or services for commercial purposes is prohibited.
7. Any
unauthorized, deliberate action that damages or disrupts a computing system,
alters its normal performance, or causes it to malfunction is a violation
regardless of system location or time duration.
SECTION 2 – ELECTRONIC MAIL
Whenever you send electronic mail,
your name and user ID are included in each mail message. You are responsible for all electronic mail (e-mail)
originating from your user ID. By
accepting an account, the applicant authorizes HISD system administrators to
have access to the applicant’s e-mail and to make that e-mail available to
district, local, state, and federal officials in conjunction with any official
investigation. Therefore:
1. Use
of e-mail providers outside of the HISD network is strictly prohibited.
2. Forgery,
or attempted forgery, of electronic mail messages is prohibited.
3. Attempts
to read, delete, copy, or modify the electronic mail of other users are
prohibited.
4. Attempts
to send harassing, obscene or threatening mail to another is prohibited.
5. Attempts
to send unsolicited “junk mail”, “for profit” messages, or chain letters is
prohibited.
6. Never
assume that on-line users are who they say they are.
7. Never
respond to messages that are threatening or obscene. Alert a teacher, librarian or administrator
if such a message is encountered.
8. Never
arrange a face-to-face meeting with an Internet user without parental
permission.
9. Encryption
of messages or other documents is strictly prohibited.
SECTION 3 – NETWORK
SECURITY
As a user of the network, you may
be allowed access to other networks and/or the computer systems connected to
those networks. Therefore:
1. Use
of systems and/or networks in attempts to gain unauthorized access to remote
systems is prohibited.
2. Use
of systems and/or networks to connect to other systems, in evasion of the
physical limitations of the remote system, is prohibited.
3. Decryption
of system or user passwords is prohibited.
4. The
copying of system files is prohibited.
5. The
copying of copyrighted material, without the express written permission of the
owner or the proper license, is prohibited.
6. Intentional
attempts to “crash” network systems or programs are punishable disciplinary
offenses.
7. Any
attempts to secure a higher level of privilege on network systems are
punishable disciplinary offenses.
8. The
willful introduction of computer “viruses” or other disruptive and/or
destructive programs into the HISD network or into external networks is
prohibited.
SECTION 4 – PROHIBITED
MATERIALS AND ACTIONS
1. Material
that is obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy, indecent, or patently offensive as
measured by contemporary community standards.
2. Material
that would encourage illegal acts, violence, terrorism, or hate.
3. Actions
that annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass another person.
4. Political
lobbying.
5. Visiting
chat rooms or other similar sites.
IV. SECURITY
Security on any computer system is a high priority,
especially when the system involves many users.
If you identify a security problem on the HISD Network or the Internet,
you must notify your teacher, librarian, or system administrator
immediately. Do not demonstrate the
problem to other users. Do not use
another individual’s account. An HISD staff
member shall not let anyone else use his/her account of password. Attempts to login to the system using any
other account, password, or privileges than one’s own will result in
cancellation or restriction of user privileges.
Users shall immediately notify a system administrator if their password
is lost or stolen, or if they have reason to believe that someone has obtained
unauthorized access to their account.
Any user identified as a security risk or having a history of problems
with other computer systems may be denied access to the HISD Network.
V. VANDALISM
Vandalism will result in cancellation or
restriction of user privileges.
Vandalism, as addressed in the HISD Network regulations and guidelines,
is defined as any attempt, with or without malicious intent, regardless of the
success or failure of such attempt, to harm or destroy computers or associated
equipment, or to access data with out permission of, or harm or destroy data
of, another user, the Internet, or any of the above listed agencies or other
networks that are connected to the Internet or the HISD Network. This includes, but is not limited to, the
uploading or creation of computer viruses.
VI. NETIQUETTE AND
GOOD PRACTICES
All users of the HISD
Network and computers are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of
network etiquette (netiquette). Informal
rules of behavior have evolved for the use of and communication on the Internet
and other on-line services. These rules
of behavior include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Be
polite – Messages typed in capital letters are the computer equivalent of
shouting and are considered rude.
- Use
appropriate language – Do not swear, use vulgarities, or any other
inappropriate language.
- Do not
reveal your personal address or phone number or that of others.
- Note
that e-mail is not guaranteed to be private. People who operate the system do have
access to the mail. Messages
relating to or in support of illegal activities may be reported to
authorities.
- Do not
place unlawful messages on any network system.
- Keep
paragraphs and messages short and to the point. Focus on one subject per
message.
- Abbreviate
when possible. Some examples are
FYI (for your information), and :-) (happy
face for humor)
- Include
your signature at the bottom of e-mail messages. Your signature footer should include
your name, position, affiliation, and Internet address.
VII. TERMINATION/REVOCATION OF USER ACCOUNT
Any attempt to violate the
provisions of this agreement will result in revocation or restriction of the
user’s account, regardless of the success or failure of the attempt. In addition, school disciplinary action
and/or appropriate legal action may be taken.
Final Determination: The District Superintendent or designee will
make the final determination as to what constitutes inappropriate use.
Denial,
Revocation, or Suspension of Accounts:
The district Superintendent or designee in accordance with HISD
disciplinary procedures, may deny, revoke, or suspend and account as required.
Termination or restriction of an employee’s account or of
a student’s access will be effective on the date the principal or district
coordinator receives notice of student withdrawal or of revocation of system
privileges, or on a future date if so specified in the notice.
VII.
DISCLAIMER AND
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
Access to the Internet and HISD Network is provided on an
“as is, as available” basis. HISD, its
Board of Trustees, agents, and staff members make no representation or
warranties, whether expressed or implied, of any kind with respect to the
Internet or HISD Network, or any information or software accessed or received
by the applicant or contacts made by the applicant, and disclaims any implied
warranties, including any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for
a particular purpose. The system
administrators and HISD do not warrant that the functions or services performed
by, or that the information or software contained on the system will meet the
user’s requirements or that the operation of the system will be uninterrupted
or error-free or that defects in the system will be corrected. HISD will not be responsible to you or liable
to you for any claims, losses, or damages arising from HISD’s
negligence or your own errors or omissions.
YOU AGREE THAT THIS LIMITATION IS INTENDED TO AND
DOES RELEASE HISD, ITS BOARD OF TRUSTEES, AGENTS, AND STAFF MEMBERS FROM ANY CLAIMS, DAMAGES, OR
LOSSES THAT YOU MAY SUFFER THAT MAY ARISE OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SYSTEM. Use of any information obtained via your
connection with the HISD Network is at your own risk. HISD specifically denies any responsibility
for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through this service.
This agreement applies to stand alone units as well as
unity connected to the HISD Network.
HISD makes no warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, for
the service it is providing and is not responsible for any damages suffered by
the users. This includes loss of data
resulting from delays, nondeliveries, misdeliveries, or service interruptions caused by its
negligence or user errors or omissions.
HISD is not responsible for phone/credit card bills or any other charges
incurred by the users.
HISD Adopted 1/08/01