Technical Colleges throughout the country are moving into the information age by providing computer systems and Internet access for their students and employees.

In making decisions regarding access to the Internet and use of its computers, the Department considers its own stated educational mission, goals, and objectives. Electronic information research skills are now fundamental to preparation of citizens and future employees. The Department expects faculty to blend thoughtful use of the Internet throughout the curriculum and provide guidance and instruction to students in its use. As much as possible, access from Technical Colleges to Internet resources should be structured in ways that point students to those resources that have been evaluated prior to use. While students shall be able to move beyond those resources to others that have not been previewed by staff, they shall be provided with guidelines and lists of resources particularly suited to learning objectives. Students and employees utilizing Technical College-provided Internet access are responsible for good behavior on-line just as they are in a classroom or other area of the college.

Using a computer without permission is theft of services and is illegal under state and federal laws. Federal law prohibits misuse of computer resources. In addition, the following specific computer crimes are prohibited by state law in Georgia ( O.C.G.A. § 16-9-90 et seq.):

Computer theft (including theft of computer services, intellectual property such as copyrighted material, and any other property);

Computer trespass (unauthorized use of computers to delete or alter data or interfere with others' usage);

Computer invasion of privacy (unauthorized access to financial or personal data or the like);

Computer forgery (forgery as defined by other laws, but committed on a computer rather than on paper);

Computer password disclosure (unauthorized disclosure of a password resulting in damages exceeding $500 - in practice, this includes any disclosure that requires a system security audit afterward);

Misleading transmittal of names or trademarks (falsely identifying yourself or falsely claiming to speak for a person or organization by using their name, trademark, logo, or seal).

Maximum penalties for the first four crimes in the list are a $50,000 fine and 15 years of imprisonment, plus civil liability. The maximum penalties for computer password disclosure are a $5,000 fine and 1 year of imprisonment, plus civil liability.

The purpose of Technical College-provided Internet access is to facilitate communications in support of research and education. To remain eligible as users, students' use must be in support of and consistent with the educational objectives of the Department. Access is a privilege, not a right. Access entails responsibility.

Users should not expect files stored on Department or Technical College-based computers to be private. Electronic messages and files stored on Technical College-based computers shall be treated like other Technical College premises that are temporarily assigned for individual use. Administrators may review files and messages in an effort to maintain system integrity and in an effort to insure that users are acting responsibly. Moreover, Department and Technical College officials shall cooperate with law enforcement officials who are properly authorized to search Department and Technical College computers and computer systems.

All information created, stored or transmitted by Department or Technical College computers or networks is subject to monitoring for compliance with applicable laws and policies.

The following uses of Department or Technical College-provided computers, networks and Internet access are not permitted:

a. To access, upload, download or distribute, obscene material;
b. To transmit obscene, abusive or threatening language;
c. To violate any local, state or federal statute;
d. To vandalize, damage, or disable the property of another individual or organization;
e. To access another individual's password, materials, information, or files without permission;
f. To violate copyright or otherwise use the intellectual property of another individual or organization in violation of the law, including software piracy;
g. To engage in any personal commercial enterprise without advance approval in writing by the President of the Technical College;
h. To knowingly endanger the security of any Department or Technical College computer or network;
i. To willfully interfere with another's authorized computer usage;
j. To connect any computer to any of the Department or Technical College networks unless it meets technical and security standards set by the Department;
k. To create, install, or knowingly distribute a computer virus,
"Trojan horse," or other surreptitiously destructive program on any Department or Technical College computer or network facility, regardless of whether any demonstrable harm results; and
l. To modify or reconfigure the software or hardware of any Agency computer or Network without proper authorization.

Users of Department and Technical College computers and computer systems are subject to the Department's policy on the development of Intellectual Property. Any violation of this policy and rules may result in disciplinary action against the employee or student. When and where applicable, law enforcement agencies may be involved.

The Department makes no warranties of any kind, either express or implied, for the computers, computer systems and Internet access it provides. The Department shall not be responsible for any damages users suffer, including but not limited to loss of data resulting from delays or interruptions in service. The Department shall not be responsible for the accuracy, nature or quality of information gathered through Technical College diskettes, hard drives or servers; nor for the accuracy, nature or quality of information gathered through Technical College-provided Internet access. The Department shall not be responsible for personal property used to access its computers or networks or for Technical College-provided Internet access. The Department shall not be responsible for unauthorized financial obligations resulting from Technical College-provided access to the Internet.

The foregoing standards are equally applicable to employees of the Department, wherever housed, and to employees and students of the Technical College.

Penalties

Violations of these policies incur the same types of disciplinary measures as violations of other Department or Technical College policies or state or federal laws, including criminal prosecution.

West Georgia Technical College Library
In order to provide a wide variety of resources in an appropriate manner, students and other patrons are expected to observe the following terms and conditions when using computer resources in the West Georgia Technical College Library.

Additional Terms and Conditions of Computer Use:

1. Currently enrolled WGTC students have priority access to computers.

2. Priority in using the writing center is given to classes seeking bibliographic instruction.

3. Individual usage of a computer is limited to 30 minutes when others are waiting.

4. During peak use periods, a sign-in sheet may be kept. Please sign the waiting list and note the time. It is also a good idea to let the librarian know which software/workstation you are waiting to use.

5. Use only software already on the computer. (Do not attempt to load your own software or download programs from Internet.)

6. Do not reconfigure the screen settings.

7. Report any hardware or software problems immediately to a member of the Library staff.

8. If the virus alert appears, notify Library staff immediately.

9. Avoid using the computers to play games.

10. Currently there is no additional charge for printouts from the computer workstations, but we request that you print only those items that you will use.

11. The Internet is primarily provided so that those users may conduct research and prepare materials related to course work. Although communicating with others is allowed, persons using a chat room or e-mail may be asked to “give up” such use so that another individual who needs to complete an assignment may have access.

12. Failure to comply with these terms and conditions may result in loss of privileges of using Library computers for 90 days as well as other disciplinary action as stated in the DTAE policy.