Western Nevada College Policies

Policy 8-1-2: Computing and Network Use Agreement

WNC Policy 8-1-2
Procedure:	Computing and Network Use Agreement
Policy No.:	8-1-2
Department:	Computing Services
Contact:	Director
Policy:	All students and staff who use WNC's computing facilities are responsible for knowing the content of Western Nevada College's Computer and Network Use Agreement. Students and staff may be required to sign this document.

Standards of Conduct
Academic Dishonesty
Disruption or Destruction of Computer Facilities
Appropriate Use of the Internet
Use Agreement

Section 1: Standards of Conduct
	A. Improper conduct regarding the use of computers at WNC falls into three categories:

		1. Academic dishonesty
			
2. Disruption or destruction of computer facilities, equipment or programs
			
3. Violation of licenses and copyright agreements, WNC policy, and state and federal laws.
			
Section 2: Academic Dishonesty
	A. Examples of this type of behavior regarding computers include, but are not limited to:

		1. Submitting another's' programs, documentation, or program results as your own work.
			
2. Obtaining or attempting to obtain unauthorized access to information stored in electronic form.
			
3. Submitting false results of a program's output for a class assignment or falsifying the results of program execution for the purpose of improving a grade.
			
Section 3: Disruption or Destruction of Computer Facilities
	A. Examples of this type of behavior include, but are not limited to:

		1. Damaging or stealing university owned equipment or software.
			
2. Sending of offensive e-mail.
			
3. Causing the display of false system messages.
			
4. Maliciously causing system slow-downs or rendering systems inoperable.
			
5. Changing, removing, or destroying (or attempting the same) any data stored electronically without proper authorization.
			
6. Putting viruses or worms into a system.
			
B. Most software used on WNC computers is covered by copyright, license, or non-disclosure agreements. Violation of these agreements puts WNC and the individual in jeopardy of civil penalties. Examples of such violations include, but are not limited to:

		1. Making copies of copyrighted or licensed software without proper authorization.
			
2. Using software in violation of copyright, license or non-disclosure agreements.
			
3. Using college computers for unauthorized private of commercial purposes.
			
Section 4: Appropriate Use of the Internet
	A. NSHE member institutions subscribe to Internet appropriate use policies.

B. In general, usage in support of research and educational objectives is acceptable.

Section 5: Use Agreement
	A. In addition to agreeing to abide by the Standards of Conduct for the Use of NSHE Computing and Network Resources, and the Appropriate Use of the Internet, I agree to the following statements:

		1. I will not willfully destroy, damage, tamper, alter, steal, misappropriate or use without permission any system, program or file of the Nevada System of Higher Education.
			
2. So that others may not use my account, I agree to use my account for my own work and to keep my password confidential. I agree to report the use of my account by others to the systems analyst on the Fallon campus or the micro-computer specialist on the Carson campus.
			
3. I understand that while WNC makes every attempt to preserve the integrity of my data and files stored on the system, if a conflict arises between keeping the system operational and maintaining the integrity of my data, keeping the system operational will take precedence. WNC will not be held responsible for any loss of data.
			
4. I agree to indemnify and hold harmless WNC, its employees, and agents from any claim, demand, liability, cause of action, suit, judgment or expense (including attorney's fees), arising out of my breach of this agreement.
			
5. I understand that I do not own my computing account, but do have exclusive access to the account. WNC owns the account and gives me, and only me, the privilege of using it.
			
6. I understand and agree that each time I access the WNC computing network I am bound by the terms of the agreement along with any changes or additions to this agreement and the terms of all WNC policies that are in effect at the time I access the system.
			
7. I understand downloading copyright protected materials from the internet from a college owned computer or through a college owned network is a violation of federal copyright law and may result in either civil or criminal penalties. Specific penalties for violation of federal copyright laws are summarized below:

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 Web site of the U.S. Copyright Office at www.copyright.gov, especially their FAQ's at www.copyright.gov/help/faq.
			
8. I understand that violations of this agreement may result in the revoking of all my computer and network access privileges.
			
B. In signing this agreement I acknowledge that any infractions will result in disciplinary action from WNC and appropriate local, state and federal agencies.

1. Date:

2. Name:

3. Signature:

4. Approved:

Date Adopted and Dates Revised
Date Adopted	July 10, 2008	Dates Revised	January 18, 2011; September 2, 2008; May 11, 2004

NSHE and NRS Codes
NSHE Code	Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 21
NRS Code	NRS 281.481

NSHE Board of Regents' Meeting Minutes: 6/99

Please direct comments about this page to the Assistant to the President
URL: http://www.wnc.edu/policymanual/8-1-2.php
Date Printed: May 22, 2013

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