4. Computer Safety and Rules
E.4.01 - Computer Usage:
LSCS public access terminals are provided to support the instructional and educational functions of the System.
It shall be a violation of LSCS policy to attempt deliberately to prevent other users' access to the System's computer system, to degrade system performance, or to copy or destroy files. This includes, without limitation, the following:
a. intentionally disrupting access of other students, faculty, or staff to the System’s computer resources;
b. knowingly obtaining access to a computer account, identification number, or password assigned to another student, faculty member, staff member, or College office;
c. knowingly using an account, identification number, or password belonging to another student, faculty member, staff member, or College office for other than its intended purpose, or using an identification number or an inactive account, password, or identification number;
d. misusing System computer equipment by such activities as falsifying or altering records or documents, damaging programs belonging to another, sending harassing or threatening material, or duplicating copyrighted software unlawfully;
e. intentionally using System computer resources to store, download, upload, display, print, or e-mail computer images that constitute "obscene materials" as defined by Section 43.21 of the Texas Penal Code and that are not directly related to, or required for, a specific educational course or research project related to an educational program;
f. displaying or transmitting messages, images, or cartoons that are sexually explicit or that demean a person on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender national origin, disability, or religion; or
g. using System e-mail or other computer resources for commercial purposes or for personal financial gain.
Any student who violates this policy shall be subject to discipline by LSCS, up to and including suspension or expulsion from the System.
Members of the public who are not enrolled in academic, technical, college-level or continuing education courses will be permitted to use such facilities for research purposes only when the use does not deny a LSCS student or employee access. Any member of the public whose use is not in accord with this policy may be asked to cease use of the computer, leave the facility, and forfeit rights to future use of System computers.
Minors who are not enrolled in System academic, technical or college-level courses shall only be permitted to use a computer on which a filtering device has been installed. Parental or guardian permission is required for all minors who wish to enroll in academic, technical or college-level courses in a College at the System. Such permission acknowledges that college level course work might contain materials or subject matter considered to be adult in nature.
Exceptions to this policy may apply in the libraries at LSCS Colleges which have public library partnership agreements.
E.4.02 - Prohibited Use of Computers:
The following conduct by computer users shall be treated as a violation of this policy and may subject the user to discipline, including loss of computing privileges, up to and including termination for a System employee, and dismissal for a student:
a. anonymous or forged e-mail messages;
b. unauthorized attempts to access another person's e-mail or similar electronic communications;
c. use of another's name, e-mail, computer address, or workstation to send e-mail or similar electronic communications;
d. use of System e-mail or other network resources for commercial purposes or for personal financial gain;
e. access to a restricted computing resource without authorization or use for purposes beyond the authorization;
f. transmission of copyrighted materials without the written permission of the author or creator through System e-mail or other network resources in violation of U.S. copyright law;
g. use of computing resources in a manner that disrupts the work or educational environment;
h. intentional use of System computing resources to store, download, upload, display, print or e-mail computer images that constitute "obscene materials" as defined by Section 43.21 of the Texas Penal Code and that are not directly related to, or required for, a specific educational course or research project directly related to an educational program.
i. the display or transmission of messages, images, cartoons, or other messages or images that are sexually explicit or that demean a person on the basis of age, race, ethnicity, gender, national origin, disability, or religion, which may constitute prohibited harassment under System policies;
j. upload or download of unauthorized materials to any System server; and
k. the share of an account, password, or other authentication device that was provided to permit access to restricted computing resources.
E.4.03 - E-Mail Privileges:
Access to LSCS’s e-mail and similar electronic communication systems is a privilege that is extended to current employees, students, and affiliates in good standing. The privilege of access ends with the termination of employment, the failure to re-enroll in a System educational program, or disciplinary sanctions.
E.4.04 - E-Mail Confidentiality:
LSCS cannot guarantee the privacy or confidentiality of electronic documents, and any messages that are confidential, as a matter of law, should not be communicated over e-mail.
LSCS reserves the right to access e-mail to engage in routine computer maintenance and housekeeping, to carry out internal investigations, to prepare responses to requests for public records, or to disclose messages, data, or files to law enforcement authorities.
E.4.05 - E-Mail Records:
Messages sent as e-mail should meet the same standards for distribution or display as tangible documents or instruments. As with all records maintained by the System, and to the extent required by law, files saved in the System's information system, including e-mail, may be subject to release with a public information act request.
E.4.06 - Loss of Computing Privileges:
Use of LSCS’s equipment and networks shall comply with the policies and procedures of the System, and access may be denied to any student, employee, affiliates, or member of the public who fails to comply with the System's policies and procedures regarding appropriate computer use.
E.4.07 - Overloading of Computer Resources:
Nothing in this policy shall prohibit LSCS or College System Operator from intercepting and stopping e-mail messages or other computer use which have the capacity to overload the computer resources. Discipline may be imposed for intentional overloading of the System’s computer resources.