Acceptable Use Statement

Users of Jarvis Christian University computing facilities and services are held to high ethical standards. Responsibility extends to access, use of information, and distribution of data. 

Jarvis Christian University administrators, faculty members, staff, and students may use the computers in all public computing facilities for research work and classroom assignments. Within lab scheduling limitations, students have priority over others for use of the facilities. Anyone not currently enrolled may use the public facilities only at the discretion of university staff. Jarvis Christian College does not assume any liability for data loss. Those who use its computers do so at their own risk. Use of administrative computers is authorized with the appropriate department head's permission. 

Access to the JCU computer system is not a right, but a privilege. When individuals log on to the College computer system, they become responsible for adhering to university policy and state and federal laws governing individual privacy rights and confidentiality. The following list is not all-inclusive: 

They respect the privacy of others by not attempting to access their accounts or tampering with their data. 

They honor the intellectual rights of others by avoiding copyright infringement. This includes all Jarvis Christian University-owned computers, i.e., computers purchased with university funds. 

They respect the policies and procedures of external networks, such as the Internet and systems that can be accessed via the Internet. 

 They do not make or use unauthorized copies of copyrighted or licensed programs or data. They only use authorized copies in full accord with the license agreement and national and international laws. 

They do not attempt to bypass any security system to access privileged information or alter existing interfaces. 

They do not develop or use programs, transactions, data, or processes that harass other users, infiltrate the system, or damage or alter data or software. 

They do not develop or use mechanisms to alter University records. 

They do not load or use personal or existing programs that affect the stability of systems or use programs to hinder or harass others. 

They do not load software in classroom or computer labs, drop-in facilities, or other University-owned computers. 

They use only their own User ID and password; rights to individual accounts are not transferable. All members of the University community are responsible for securing their passwords. All passwords are to be treated as confidential University information. 

They respect the civil rights of others to an open and hospitable environment, regardless of race, sex, color, national or ethnic origin, age, creed, ancestry, religion, disability, or any other legally protected status, and with respect to sexual harassment including e-mailing inappropriate messages. 

They do not use University owned or operated computers for a personal business. 

They do not open or download pornographic materials or other materials that violate the Mission Statement of the University. 

They use resources efficiently, avoiding printing large amounts of unnecessary information or downloading files for long periods of time. 

They do not damage or alter equipment or software either physically or with a virus. They do not bring food or drink into computer labs near computers or computer-related equipment. 

They abide by an instructor’s requirements for computer use, including participation in an on-line course. They honor an instructor’s right to allow or disallow use of a computer while the room is in use for instructional purposes. They do not disrupt a class that is being held in a computer lab or other technologically oriented facility, such as a video conferencing room. 

Jarvis Christian University reserves the right to monitor and record any action performed while using the computer system. An audit trail is kept by system management software. If it is determined that use is contrary to Jarvis policy, the appropriate department may examine the user’s actions. If computing staff members suspect that any of these conditions are being violated, staff will initiate an investigation through the appropriate agency on campus. During the investigation, the account in question and all computing services may be suspended. 

Privacy is neither a goal nor a condition of the University computing system. There is not an expectation of privacy with regard to the information stored on University-owned or operated computers or, when applicable, other computers attached to the Jarvis Christian University network; and there are no specific laws, rules, or regulations that protect the privacy of a user’s files, electronic mail messages, or any other information retrieved as a result of a person’s session on the Jarvis system. 

While Jarvis Christian University respects an individual’s privacy whenever possible, it does have and will exercise its right to examine a university-owned or operated computer and its contents if there is a reasonable indication that it has been used to download or store illegal materials, such as pornography or illegal software. 

Jarvis Christian University reserves the right to report suspected criminal offenses to civil authorities. Institutional disciplinary charges may be filed in addition to civil actions. 

Copyright Infringement Statement

Computer software, databases, and electronic documents are protected by copyright law. A copyright is a work of authorship in a tangible medium. Copyright owners have the sole right to reproduce their work, prepare derivatives or adaptations of it, distribute it by sale, rent, license lease, or lending and/or to perform or display it. A student must either have an express or implied license to use copyrighted material or data, or be able to prove fair use. Students and other users of college computers are responsible for understanding how copyright law applies to their electronic transactions. They may not violate the copyright protection of any information, software, or data with which they come into contact through the college computing resources. Downloading or distributing copyrighted materials such as documents, movies, music, etc. without the permission of the rightful owner may be considered copyright infringement, which is illegal under federal and state copyright law. Use of the college’s network resources to commit acts of copyright infringement may be subject to prosecution and disciplinary action.

The penalties for infringing copyright law can be found under the U.S. Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C.