North Country Community College is respectful of freedom of expression and the diversity of perspectives, values, and beliefs of the individual members of the College community.  NCCC owns and operates computing services which are provided for the express use of registered students, faculty, and staff in support of the programs of the College and are to be used for educational, research, academic development, and public service only.  COMMERCIAL, SOCIAL, and RECREATIONAL USES ARE PROHIBITED.  All computer users, including special permission invitees, are expected to use the available hardware, software, and Internet access in an effective, efficient, and equitable, ethical, and lawful manner in accordance with College policies, the Code of Conduct – Individual Rights and Responsibilities, as well as Local, State, and Federal Laws.

Agreement

By using any of these computer systems the user agrees that they have read, understand, and will comply with the established guidelines set forth by the administrators of the system.

Rights

The College does not condone censorship.  NCCC does, however, reserve the right to place limited restrictions on the use of its computers and systems in response to verified complaints presenting evidence of violations of College policies, the Code of Conduct – Individual Rights and Responsibilities, as well as Local, State, and Federal Laws.

Responsibilities

Users of NCCC computers and computer systems are responsible from maintaining the following conditions:

1. Equitable use of all computers, computer systems, software, and Internet access and instructional services.
2. An educationally sound environment conducive to teaching, research, and learning.
3. An environment free of illegal, unethical, malicious, harassing, or hostile acts.
4. An electronic safe and secure environment based on academic honesty and integrity.

Confidentiality and Privacy

All electronic correspondence conducted using the College’s resources are part of the College’s computer systems and are the property of North Country Community College.  The College treats individual electronic communication as confidential and will only examine or disclose their contents:

• When authorized by the owner, or
• When required to evaluate and/or adjust computer systems to ensure effective operation; or
• When directed by an authorization of a College Officer.  Such actions will be taken when there is evidence or reasonable information that inappropriate use of computing and network facilities and resources is taking place, when situations involve health or safety of people or property, and when required by legal obligations or responsibilities.

However, electronic communications are inherently an insecure communications medium, and no one should expect its confidentiality to be guaranteed.  In general, electronic communications are not appropriate for transmitting sensitive or confidential information.

All use of electronic communications will be consistent with other College policies, including the North Country Community College Code of Conduct.  If there is reason to believe that a student NCCC account is being used in violation of law or College policy, or if an account is used in a way that threatens to disrupt service to other users, the College may restrict, suspend or disable the account’s access and/or network access until the College is assured that the illegal or disruptive use of the account will cease.  Complaints brought by another user will result in a thorough investigation by College personnel.

Inappropriate Computer Usage

Prohibited and inappropriate use of NCCC computers and computer systems include, but are not limited to, intentional behaviors which violate one or more of the following:

1. Any Federal, State, or Local Law.
2. The stated mission of the College.
3. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (The Buckley Act, P.L. 93-308), or in any way accessing, divulging, or transmitting any personally identifiable information to another individual.
4. The NCCC Code of Conduct – Individual Rights and Responsibilities.
5. Any College rule or regulation, particularly those found in the College Catalog in Appendix A of the NCCC Code of Conduct – Individual Rights and Responsibilities.
6. NCCC sexual harassment policy.  This includes, but is not limited to, creating, displaying, printing, downloading, or in any way transmitting sexually explicit, pornographic, graphically disturbing, or sexually harassing images or text.
7. Installing and/or playing computer games.
8. Use of chat rooms for social, rather than educational, purposes.
9. Knowingly installing or running any programs, virus or worm, or conducting any other activity that threatens or contaminates the integrity of the computers, computer systems, computer programs, or software of the College.
10. Illegally accessing and/or using the intellectual property of another individual.
11. Installing, changing, or deleting software on any computer system, to include changing system defaults, personally customizing settings, deleting files belonging to others, and inappropriate storing of data files.
12. Using electronic messages to harass, intimidate, or in any manner that violates the personal and property rights of others.
13. Deliberately overloading computer resources and/or wasting or failing to conserve computer resources, including document printing, instruction, and time.
14. Using computer equipment for personal, financial, or commercial gain.
15. Violating copyright laws, usage policies, or violating network regulations or contracts.
16. Plagiarism, cheating, or any behavior that violates academic honesty standards.
17. Purchasing or ordering for trial use any goods or services without documented administrative approval.

Violations and Reporting Violations

Adhering to due process rights, all reports of alleged violations will be handled in accordance with the provisions set forth in the North Country Community College Code of Conduct – Individual Rights and Responsibilities.  All such alleged violations will be administratively handled by the Vice President of Student & Campus Life and/or Vice President of Academic Affairs, and should be immediately submitted using the “NCCC Incident Report Form”.  Incident Report Forms should be routed directly to the Dean(s) or through class instructors, academic departments, chairs, academic coordinators, computer lab supervisors, and/or any computer service administrator.  Under extreme circumstances, an individual’s computer access rights may be immediately and/or temporarily suspended.  Some violations may constitute criminal offenses requiring immediate legal action.

Sanctions

The full range of sanctions is available for any and all reported violations.  In extreme instances, or in the case of criminal acts, further legal action beyond the scope of the NCCC Code of Conduct – Individual Rights and Responsibilities may be necessary.

P.5., Section V, Code of Conduct – Individual Rights and Responsibilities – Available sanctions for violations of Code of Conduct.

In the event of a violation of the Code of Conduct is established, the following:

• 1. OFFICIAL REPRIMANDS AND WARNING LETTERS may be imposed outlining the consequences if the behavior continues.
• 2. RESTRICTIONS ON ACTIVITIES AND PRIVILEGES may be imposed, including social probation, by which students are prohibited from attending non-academic functions sponsored by the College or the Student Government Association.  Social probation may be given for academic or disciplinary reasons, and shall be made for a specific time period.
• 3. RESTITUTION may be imposed, which may include direct payment for damages caused by the offender or indirect payment of the same through service to the College.
• 4. LOSS OF COURSE CREDIT may be imposed for academic offenses only.  In such cases, no monetary refund of any College fees shall be allowed
• 5. DENIAL OR REVOCATION OF A COLLEGE HONOR, DEGREE, OR CERTIFICATE may be imposed in cases where falsifications of records or academic offenses are of such nature that the absence of entitlement to the honor, degree, or certificate is established.  In such cases, the final decision is subject to review and determination by the College President.  In such cases, no monetary refund of any College fees shall be allowed.
• 6. WITHDRAWAL FROM A COURSE may be imposed and may be made for academic or non-academic reasons.  No monetary refund of any College fees shall be allowed.
• 7. SUSPENSION FROM COLLEGE may be imposed, and shall mean that the student is not allowed to participate in any College activity in any form, including classes, for a specific length of time.  No monetary refund of any College fees shall be allowed.
• 8. DISMISSAL FROM COLLEGE may be imposed, and shall mean that the student is prohibited from taking part in any College activity.  No monetary refund of an College fees shall be allowed.  In such cases, the final decision in subject to review and final determination by the College President.