HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL
STUDENT POLICY FOR THE ETHICAL AND RESPONSIBLE USE OF TECHNOLOGY
The use of technology at the Academy of the Sacred Heart is guided by the philosophy and mission of the school as articulated in the Goals and Criteria of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools. The school promotes the use of technology, recognizing the need to prepare students to be responsible, ethical, and contributing members of society and the work force in this country.
In order to promote the ethical and responsible use of technology, regulations are established for the good of the individual and the school community. Specifically, these regulations are as follows:
1. The implementation and upgrading of technology is a costly endeavor. Students are to be instructed in the proper and careful use of computers and other forms of technology. Food and drink are not to be taken to areas in which computers are located. Students are not to tamper or be destructive with computers and other hardware.
2. Facilities where computers are located are meant to be areas of learning. Students are to be considerate of others who are using the computers for work.
3. The computer resources are limited; consequently, when necessary, the use of a computer will be assigned according to priority. A class that has reserved the computer room has first priority. A student working on a class assignment has priority over leisure users.
4. Students are required to care properly for videos, diskettes, CDs, laser disks, and other software; to store them in appropriate containers. Students will be held responsible for damaged or lost property which belongs to the school or another student or faculty member.
5. If inappropriate use of hardware or software programs leads to damage, the student(s) will be charged for the damages or replacement of the hardware or software. Taking diskettes or CDs that belong to the school or to a student or faculty member without permission of the owner is stealing. Stealing will be dealt with as outlined in the Parent/Student Handbook.
6. Students shall comply with copyright laws in the use of software, including loading and using software without proper licensing. The use of the network or the Internet as a valid academic resource is governed by the same rules that apply to library resources. Improper use or distribution of information is prohibited. This includes using the network for financial gain or for illegal or commercial activities. The use of another person’s work, without proper reference or permission, is considered plagiarism and will be subject to disciplinary action as outlined in the Parent/Student Handbook.
7. Tampering with the network or a computer to impair the functionality of either, or knowingly initiating a computer "virus" on a computer or a network which modifies or destroys the work of others is a serious offense of vandalism. Vandalism will be dealt with as outlined in the Parent/Student Handbook.
8. Attempting to subvert security systems or to bypass restrictions set by the network administrator, (hacking), is considered a serious offense of vandalism and will be dealt with as outlined in other sections of the Parent/Student Handbook.
9. The use of profanity or vulgarity is prohibited. This includes viewing, downloading, sending, storing or printing files or messages that are profane, obscene, or that use language that offends or degrades others.
10. Accessing the accounts and files of others is prohibited. Logging in as another person, using another person's files, altering a program that belongs to another are violations of another person’s right to privacy. Posting personal information (name, address, phone number, credit card number, password, etc.) belonging to another person is strictly forbidden. Such violations are no different from stealing and will be dealt with in the same manner as stealing as outlined in other sections of the Parent/Student Handbook.
11. Assisting others in violating these rules is considered unacceptable behavior and is subject to disciplinary action.
Violations of regulations regarding the proper and responsible use of technology should be reported to the Division Head or to the Dean of Students who will follow disciplinary action as outlined in the Parent/Student Handbook. In addition to disciplinary consequences, a student will subject herself to the possibility of losing the privilege of using the technology available at Sacred Heart because of irresponsible, unethical, or illegal usage.
Additions to the School’s Ethical and Responsible Use of Technology Policy on the Use of E-Mail.
1. The e-mail system is to be used only for the exchange of appropriate information. There are to be no emotionally charged, derogatory, or otherwise inappropriate exchanges (flames) on the e-mail system. Delicate or difficult communications should take place face-to-face. One should not send anything on e-mail that one would not be able to say face-to-face. The sending of chain letters is prohibited.
2. Communication between faculty and students should be limited to class topics. E-mail of a personal nature should not be exchanged between faculty and students.
3. No one should ever access another person’s e-mail account. Each member of the school community is expected to respect the privacy of e-mail messages belonging to other members of the school community. No one should read the personal mail of another without the recipients’ permission.
4. No one may access her personal subscriber online services using school telephones.
5. The Internet is to be used for scholarly research and as a means of obtaining information. Students are not to join chats at school unless there is a legitimate academic reason to do so. Chats offer opportunities to develop relationships with people through the Internet. However, each person should realize that there are certain safety measures one should consider when communicating on the Internet. Frequently, it is impossible to really know with whom one is communicating; therefore, one should be vary cautious about giving out personal information (name, address, phone #, etc.) The Internet offers access to information that is inappropriate (ex. pornography, vulgarity, gambling, militant/extremist materials, etc.) No one may access information of this sort.
6. Computers may not be used to make recording without the consent of all who are being recorded.
7. Sound must be turned off, except when it is being used as part of a class.
8. Faculty/Staff/Students are not permitted to play games of any kind on the network, without permission.