Information Technology Policy

Use of the information technology resources at Metro Tech will be governed by this policy, by related District policy and regulations and by all applicable laws.

The District makes no warranties of any kind, either express or implied, that the functions or the services provided by or through the District system will be error-free or without defect. The District will not be responsible for any damage student employees may suffer, including but not limited to, loss of data or interruptions of service.

The District is not responsible for the accuracy or quality of the information obtained through or stored on the system. The District will not be responsible for financial obligations arising through the unauthorized use of the system. Users will indemnify and hold the District harmless from any losses sustained as the result off intentional misuse of the system by user.

Disclosing Personal Information

Student employees will not use the system to disclose personal information about themselves or any other student, except to authorized District employees or when required by an online instructional resource, and then only with teacher approval. Personal information includes full name, address, telephone number, school address, work address, etc.

Student employees under the age of 18 shall not make arrangements to meet personally with someone they have met online, except with the approval of their parent/guardian.

Student employees will promptly disclose to their teacher/instructor any message they receive that is inappropriate or makes them feel uncomfortable.

Illegal Activities

Student employees shall not attempt to gain unauthorized access to any part of the District system or to any other computer system using the District system or go beyond their authorized access. This includes attempting to log in through another person's account or accessing another person's files.

Student employees shall not make deliberate attempts to disrupt the computer system performance or destroy data by spreading computer viruses or by any other means.

Student employees shall not use the District system to engage in any other illegal act.

Commercial Activities

Student employees shall not conduct any personal for-profit activity using the District system.

Observing System Security

Student employees are responsible for the use of their individual accounts and should take all reasonable precautions to prevent others from being able to use their accounts.

Student employees must notify a teacher or assistant immediately if they are aware of a possible security problem.

Student employees will help prevent the introduction and spread of computer viruses by following District virus protection procedures.

Use of Appropriate Language and Communications

Requirements for appropriate language and communications apply to all use of the system, including public messages, private messages, and material posted on Web pages.

Student employees will not use obscene, profane, lewd, vulgar, rude, inflammatory, threatening, or disrespectful language.

Student employees will not post information that, if acted upon, could cause harm or a danger of disruption.

Student employees will not engage in personal attacks, including prejudicial or discriminatory attacks.

Student employees will not harass another person. Harassment is persistently acting in a manner that distresses or annoys another person.

Student employees will not knowingly or recklessly disclose false or defamatory information about a person or organization.

Respecting System Resource Limitations

Student employees will download files only when appropriate.

Student employees will access audio and video through the network only as appropriate.

Student employees will not send or forward chain letters or engage in "spamming." Spamming is sending an unnecessary message to a large number of people.

Student employees will check their email and files frequently and delete or archive messages and files promptly when no longer needed.

Respecting Copyrights

Student employees will respect the rights of copyright owners, including software license holders. Copyright infringement occurs when an individual inappropriately reproduces a work that is protected by a copyright.

If a work contains language that specifies acceptable use of that work, student employees must follow the expressed requirements.

If student employees are unsure whether or not a work may be reproduced, they must request permission from the copyright owner.

Student Access to Inappropriate Material

Student employees shall not use the District system to access material that is profane or obscene.

Student employees shall not use the District system to access material that advocates illegal acts or that advocates violence or discrimination towards other people.

Monitoring and Filtering

Metro Tech maintains a system to monitor and filter Internet usage by all student employees.

The filtering system is configured to protect against Internet access to visual depictions that are obscene or pornographic and to visual depictions harmful to minors.

The filtering system may be configured to protect against access to additional Internet content, as considered appropriate by the District.

The monitoring system keeps a record of the online activities of all student employees.

File and Record Access

Student employees shall have no expectation of privacy regarding the contents of their files and records of their activity while using the District system.

Observation or routine maintenance and monitoring of the system may lead to reasonable suspicion that a student employee has violated District policy or the law. An investigation may be conducted if there is reasonable suspicion of such a violation. The nature of the investigation will be reasonable and appropriate to the alleged violation.

Reasonable suspicion of violation shall be required before an investigation is conducted.

All requests for investigations shall be reported to the Superintendent and the Assistant to the Superintendent for Human Resources.

Due Process

The District will cooperate fully with local, state and/or federal officials in any investigation relating to any unlawful activities alleged using the District system.

Student employees violating this policy shall be provided due process in the manner set forth in District policy.

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