ACCEPTABLE INFORMATION RESOURCES TECHNOLOGY USE POLICY
The Tennessee College of Applied Technology provides computers and information technology resources to all enrolled students. This policy is meant to generally define TCAT Hohenwald’s acceptable use of the resources and supplement Tennessee Board of Regents Policy 1:08:05:00. To ensure Internet connections are used constructively for the advancement of educational opportunities for the students of TCAT Hohenwald, it is necessary to establish policies for the acceptable use of the computer network communications and resources. The TCAT Hohenwald has taken preliminary precautions to restrict access to controversial materials and monitors system activity on a daily basis.
Acceptable use of the TCAT Hohenwald network and internet must be in support of education and research, and must be consistent with the educational objectives of the program for which the student is enrolled. Use of other networks and resources must comply with the rules appropriate for that network. Transmission of material in violation of any federal or state regulation is prohibited, which includes, but is not limited to: copyrighted material, threatening or obscene material, or material protected by trade secret. Personal use for commercial activities, product advertising and/or personal or political gain is prohibited. Only those computers connected and approved by the school administrator and/or IT Coordinator will be allowed to use TCAT Hohenwald Internet Access. Access to protected resources (computer hacking) is illegal and prohibited. Students use is restricted to activities approved by the program instructor. Computers and equipment must be used exclusively for TCAT business and educational activities and is subject to monitoring at any given time. Activity of a non-educational nature will not be tolerated, such as involvement in “chat-rooms” and/or visits to prohibited websites like “my space”. To safeguard computers and software from virus and corrupt files, the program instructor must approve any materials downloaded from the Internet. Students are prohibited from installing any non-approved software on TCAT computers. Programs or games that are not educational or researched-based instructional programs are not to be installed or played at any time unless otherwise authorized by program instructor. Students are prohibited from providing personally identifiable information online on the TCAT System. The sharing of passwords is strictly prohibited. User accounts must not be shared or left open or unattended. Back-up copies of documents are the responsibility of the user. Information resource users are accountable and responsible for activity and policy violations which are traceable to the user. Attempting to log in through another user’s account or access another user’s files is illegal and strictly prohibited.
Any act of vandalism will result in the cancellation of privileges. Vandalism, for this purpose is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy the data of another user, or to harm or destroy computer equipment. Abusive behavior toward equipment will be reported to the TCAT Director and for disciplinary action.
The use of information technology resources, including the Internet, is a privilege. Inappropriate use will result in cancellation of those privileges. Students who fail to comply with the acceptable use policy will be subject to disciplinary sanction in accordance with the TCAT Disciplinary Policy. By acceptance of a user account or allowed access to the TCAT Hohenwald System, a student and/or user is agreeing to abide by the Acceptable Use Policy and understands any violation of policy may result in revocation of information technology resource access/privileges and disciplinary action and/or legal action taken.