STUDENT COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY ACCESS AGREEMENT

This is to communicate what other users, instructors, and the District expects of students when using college computer technology and facilities. Failure to conform to these stipulations can result in disciplinary action. Violations of regulations in the use of computer technology will be addressed in accordance with the college Academic Honesty and Student Code of Conduct Policies, available for reference in the college catalog or by requesting copies from Student Services.

Computer technology and facilities are provided for the purpose of completing academic requirements.

  1. Students may use the technology and facilities to:
    1. Complete course assignments;
    2. Conduct academic research;
    3. Communicate with faculty and students.
  2. User Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
    1. Using only their own designated ID, passwords/PIN, and accounts, and keeping IDs, passwords/PIN, and ac- count information confidential. It is recommended that users change their passwords/ PIN periodically;
    2. Using software and electronic materials, including shareware, in accordance with copyright, trademark, and licensing agreements and restrictions;
    3. Accurately identifying and representing themselves in electronic messages, files, and transactions;
    4. Saving all work on removable storage media and not on the hard drive unless instructed to do so by the instructor;
    5. Asking appropriate Cuesta College personnel for assistance if unfamiliar with the operating system.
  3. Prohibitions include, but are not limited to:
    1. Damaging equipment, data, software, software protec- tion, encryption or restriction on applications and files; including, introducing invasive or destructive programs (such as viruses, worms, and Trojan horses);
    2. Disrupting or unauthorized use of accounts, access codes, passwords, or identification numbers;
    3. Impeding or disrupting the use of computer technology and communications resources by game playing, sending an excessive or unreasonable number of messages, sending messages of unreasonable size (with large attachments); making or printing excessive copies of documents, files, data, or programs;
    4. Violating copyrights, trademarks, and/or license agreements;
    5. Accessing, using or copying another user’s account, ID number, password, electronic files, data, or e-mail without prior authorization; or allowing such use by others;
    6. Using District computer technology and communications resources in any unlawful manner including fraudulent, threatening, libelous, obscene, or harassing communications; procuring, or distributing obscene or pornographic material;
    7. Circumventing or attempting to circumvent local, network, or remote security measures;
    8. Altering or attempting to alter system software;
    9. Altering or attempting to alter system hardware;
    10. Modifying or attempting to crash or hack into computer technology or communications resources;
    11. Accessing or attempting to access restricted portions of any operating system or security software unless authorized to do so;
    12. Installing or removing software;
    13. Using computer technology and/or communications resources for private commercial or other personal purposes;
    14. Copying software that has not been placed in the public domain and distributed as freeware; inspecting, changing, altering, copying, or distributing proprietary data programs, files, disks, or software without authorization;
    15. Falsely identifying and/or representing one’s self in the use of computer technology and communications resources.

The District may access, review, copy and disclose information entered or retained in computer technology and communications resources. 

SUMMARY OF CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION OF FEDERAL COPYRIGHT LAWS

Copyright infringement is the act of exercising, without permission or legal authority, one or more of the exclusive rights granted to the copyright owner under section 106 of the Copyright Act (Title 17 of the United States Code). These rights include the right to reproduce or distribute a copyrighted work. In the file-sharing context, downloading or uploading substantial parts of a copyrighted work without authority constitutes an infringement. Penalties for copyright infringement include civil and criminal penalties. In general, anyone found liable for civil copyright infringement may be ordered to pay either actual damages or “statutory” damages affixed at not less than $750 and not more than $30,000 per work infringed. For “willful” infringement, a court may award up to $150,000 per work infringed. A court can, in its discretion, also assess costs and attorneys’ fees. For details, see Title 17, United States Code, Sections 504, 505. Willful copyright infringement can also result in criminal penalties, including imprisonment of up to five years and fines of up to $250,000 per offense. For more information, please see the website of the U.S. Copyright Office at www.copyright.gov. 

Maintained by Catherine Riedstra