Internet Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)

Background:

At Moruga Composite School we recognize that the Internet is a valuable tool for communication and educational research. While we encourage its use we also recognize that it is possible for this facility to be abused. As such the use of computers, software and the internet by staff and students is strictly for educational purposes. Any other use is forbidden. We reserve the right to access information about the sites visited by any user at any time.

Internet Acceptable Use and Conduct.

Access to the internet using computers in the physics lab at Moruga Composite School by staff and students is a privilege not a right. Uses other than for legitimate educational purposes and/or science based research are not permitted at any time.

Before students can access the Internet using the computers in the physics lab their parents or legal guardian must sign a consent and waiver form removing all liability from Moruga Composite School, its teachers and the Ministry of Education of Trinidad and Tobago for material acquired and contacts made while using the facility. There will be no variation to this policy.

Each physics student satisfying the requirements stated in 2 will be issued a username and a password. Students may change their password when they first access their account. Details of individual accounts should not be made public for security reasons. Students who forget their passwords should immediately inform the supervisor in charge.

All physics students accessing the internet through the lab computers are to observe appropriate behavior at all times. This includes observing acceptable standards of internet etiquette. The use of e-mails to send and/or receive offensive and/or illegal material is strictly prohibited.

Because the computer terminals are located in the physics lab students are not allowed to invite guests to make use of the facilities. There will be no variation to this policy.

Because of limited amount of terminals available students will have to book time in advance of computer use. Each terminal has an associated record book in which students will indicate their name and the time they intend to use the computer. Students will not tamper with the entry of others and only use the computers during their time period.

Students will be allowed to use the computers for one hour sessions in the first instance. Only when there are available time slots will students be allowed to continue beyond this time. Students will remove all downloaded material and log off the computers when their session is completed.

Prohibited Activities and Uses.

Using the internet to receive and/or transmit obscene, offensive, abusive, racial and/or sexually explicit material.

Using the internet to obtaining copyright material such as text, images, sounds or software for personal or academic purposes.

Revealing the personal details of anyone including yourself to contacts made while using the internet.

Attempting to access other user’s accounts or personal information without their written permission.

Attempting to use portable software (including but not limited to file sharing software, games and unauthorized internet chat tools) on computers in the lab.

Consuming food and/or drink while in the lab.

Any activity which can harm or reasonably be thought of as capable of causing harm to other users, personnel and equipment found in the lab.

Sanctions.

All students accessing the internet through the computers in the physics lab are required to abide by the stated rules. Unacceptable use will result in suspension of the offender’s privileges for one day in the first instance, one week at the second and complete revocation of the privilege thereafter.

Without any prejudice to 1 all illegal internet activities will be immediately reported to the School Security Officers (SSOs). It should be noted that charges can be laid by these officers depending on the nature of the activity. The School Supervisor 111 of the South Eastern Educational District will be informed.

Students engaging in activities which can reasonably be considered harmful to users, personnel or equipment will have their privileges immediately revoked pending an investigation by the Deans. The outcome of any investigation will be final.


References.

cybercrime.gov. (2005). MODEL ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES IN THE SCHOOLS Retrieved November 19th 2007, from http://www.cybercrime.gov/rules/acceptableUsePolicy.htm

Sanfilippo, S., & DeStefano, M. (2001). INTERNET ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY [Electronic Version]. Retrieved 18th November 2007 from
http://schools.nycenet.edu/Region7/is201/internet_acceptable_use_policy_is201.htm.

Washington State Department of Information Services. (2007). K-20 Network Conditions of Use and Acceptable Use Policy. Retrieved 19th November 2007, from http://www.dis.wa.gov/enterprise/k20network/aup.aspx