5012 USE OF COMPUTER NETWORKS INTERNET access is now available to students and employees at Duncan Public Schools (DPS). We are very pleased to bring access for the current school year to DPS and believe this service offers vast, diverse and unique resources to both students and employees. Our goal in providing this service is to promote educational excellence in DPS by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication. The INTERNET is an electronic highway connecting thousands of computers all over the world and millions of individual subscribers. Users have access to: * Information and news; * Discussion groups on a wide range of topics; * Access to a vast array of print resources The Duncan Board of Education also recognizes that with access to these electronic networks there comes the availability of materials that may not be considered to be of educational value in the context of school setting and/or the possibility of transmission of materials in violation of U.S. or Oklahoma regulations. DPS have taken available precautions, which are limited, to restrict access to controversial materials. However, the Duncan Board of Education understands that it is impossible on global networks to control all usage thereof, and thus the ultimate responsibility for the proper usage of these electronic networks must rest upon the end user. 1. Acceptable Use - The purpose of NSFNet, which is the backbone network to the INTERNET, is to support research and education in and among academic institutions in the U.S. by providing access to unique resources and the opportunity for collaborative work. The use of your account(s) must be in support of education and research and consistent with the educational objectives of the Duncan School District. Use of other organization's networks or computing resources must comply with the DPS rules. Both the sending and receiving of materials in violation of any U.S. or stage regulation are prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to: copyrighted materials, threatening or obscene material, or material protected by trade secret. Intentionally transmitting any material or messages that contain software viruses, unsolicited advertising, "spamming", or chain letters is prohibited and could result in the loss of network privileges. Illegal activities are strictly prohibited. 2. Privileges - Each user is hereby informed that the use of these networks in connection with or as part of any school related activity is to be considered a privilege. Each user who receives access is to further receive an orientation regarding the proper use of the network. The administration and teachers are authorized to deny, revoke or suspend specific user access in order to ensure proper usage of these networks. Also, the system administrators may close an account at any time as required. Examples of usage which can result in cancellation of network privileges or more extreme penalties are: a) Both the sending and receiving of materials in violation of any U.S. or state regulation are prohibited. This includes, but not limited to: copyrighted material, threatening or obscence material; b) Use for product advertisement, political lobbying, personal economic gain; c) Pornography; d) Vandalism, i.e. any malicious attempt to harm or destroy hardware/data or the uploading or creation of computer viruses. e) Installation of unauthorized software. 3. Netiquette - Users will be expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. Those include, but are not limited to the following: a. Be polite. Messages should not be abusive to others. b. Use appropriate language. Do not swear, use vulgarities or any other inappropriate language. c. Do not reveal your personal address or phone number to those of other students or colleagues. d. Illegal activities are strictly prohibited. e. E-mail accounts will be issued to Duncan Public School employees only. f. Be aware that electronic mail is not guaranteed to be private. People who operate the system do have access to all mail. Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities may be reported to authorities. g. The use of any e-mail service by a student on DPS premises may result in the cancellation of network privileges. h. Do not use the network in such a way that is disruptive to the use of the network by others. i. All communications and information accessible via the network should be assumed to be private property. j. Students participating in on-line or real time Internet chat rooms or messaging is prohibited. 4. Copyright - All computer users must abide by the copyright law: a. It is illegal to make or distribute copies of copyrighted materials, including software, without authorization. This includes load software purchases as stand-alone unit onto multiple hard drives or a network. If a backup copy was not included at the time of purchase, an individual may make one copy for backup purposes. Loading a computer program from floppy disks or CDs onto a hard drive or network is interpreted as the making of a backup copy. b. If a stand-alone copy of a computer program is purchased, it may be loaded and used on only one computer at a time. Additional copies or network agreements must be purchased if multiple station use is needed. Users will comply fully with all licensing agreements. c. If a stand-alone copy of a video/graphic CD or laser disk is purchased, accompanying installation/access software may be loaded onto as many stations as needed. (Since the program can run at only one site at a time, multiple copies of the access software are not illegal.) d. Software donated to the school should have license information, original disks, and all written documentation, including manuals and information to confirm the school's ownership. A letter of transmittal stating the transfer of ownership to the school should be on file in the school office. e. The use of small segments of a film or video imported into a multimedia production is single video image from a disk is permitted. Disks with appropriate license agreements may be used as needed in the production. Scanned-in images, such as copyrighted cartoons, may not be used without the permission of the copyright holder. 5. E-mail – Includes all types of electronic communications: a. E-mail accounts will be issued to Duncan Public Schools employees only: b. The use of any e-mail service by a student on Duncan Public Schools premises may result in the cancellation of network privileges: c. Be aware that electronic mail is not guaranteed to be private. People who operate the system do have access to all mail. Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities may be reported to authorities. 6. Implied - DPS will not be responsible for any damages you suffer. This includes loss of data resulting from delays, nondeliveries, misdeliveries, or service interruptions caused by it’s own negligence or your error or omissions. The use of any information obtained via these networks is at the user's own risk. The Duncan Board of Education and its employees are not responsible for the accuracy or quality of information obtained. 7. Security - Security on any computer system is a high priority, especially when the system involves many users. If you feel you can identify a security problem, you must notify a system administrator. Do not demonstrate the problem to other users. Passwords should never be given to anyone other than authorized school personnel. Attempts to log into the system(s) as any other user will result in cancellation of user privileges. Any user identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer systems may be denied access to the network(s). 8. Vandalism - Vandalism will result in cancellation of privileges. Vandalism is defined as any attempt to harm or destroy hardware, data or another user, INTERNET, or any other agencies or networks that are connected to the NSFNet backbone. This includes, but not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses. 9. Unauthorized Repairs/Inspections - ALL hardware and software related repairs or inspections are to be performed by authorized DPS Technology staff and their agents. Loss of access privileges may occur for noncompliance. 10. Updating Your User Information - DPS may occasionally require new registration and account information from you to continue the service. You must notify the system administrator of any changes in your account information. Currently, there are no user fees for this service. 11. Exception of Terms and Conditions - All terms and conditions as stated in this document are applicable to the Duncan School District. These terms and conditions reflect the entire agreement of the parties and supersede all prior oral or written agreements and understandings of the parties. These terms and conditions shall be governed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Oklahoma, United States of America. Any Duncan Public School's student or staff may apply for an account(s). To do so you must complete the attached contract and application. Students should return the contract to the person from whom they received the contract. Staff should return the contract to the district central office. You may retain this copy of Terms and Conditions for your files. Forms available at Central Office. Adoption Date: Revision Date(s): 05-11-04 , 7-11-06