Technical Helpdesk

Appropriate Computing Behavior

1. Use only the computers, computer accounts and computer files for which you have authorization. Do not use another individual's ID or account, or attempt to capture or guess other users' passwords. Users are individually responsible for all use of resources assigned to them; therefore, sharing of accounts is prohibited.
2. Obey established guidelines for any computers or networks used both inside and outside the College.
3. Do not attempt to access restricted portions of the operating system, security software, or accounting software unless authorized by the appropriate College administrator. Breaking into computers is explicitly a violation.
4. Abide by all state and federal laws. (see summary of state and federal laws at the end of this document)
5. Respect the privacy and personal rights of others. Do not access or copy another user's e-mail, data, programs, or other files without permission.
6. Use appropriate standards of courtesy and respect when using computing systems to communicate with other individuals. When sending personal messages to other users, always identify yourself as the sender. Using Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana's computing resources to harass other individuals deliberately is explicitly prohibited.
7. Be sensitive to the needs of others, and use only your fair share of computing resources. For example, users of shared resources, such as the central computer or the public clusters, should use these facilities for only the most essential tasks during periods of peak demand. Broadcasting non-critical messages to large numbers of individuals and sending chain letters are examples of activities that cause network congestion and interfere with the work of others, and thus are not allowed.
8. Computing resources and network capacity may not be used for illegal purposes. Examples of illegal purposes include:
   • Intentional harassment of other users.
   • Intentional destruction of or damage to equipment, software, or data belonging to Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana or other users.
   • Intentional disruption or unauthorized monitoring of electronic communications.
   • Unauthorized copying of copyrighted material.
9. Computing resources and network capacity should be used in accordance with the high standards of the College. This includes using computer resources to gain information and research. The submission of work of someone else as one's own is considered unethical and constitutes academic dishonesty (plagiarism and cheating). The College strongly condemns academic dishonesty. Academic Honesty requires that ideas taken from another source for use of papers or projects be fully acknowledge. Examples of other unethical use of the Ivy Tech Community College Computing systems include:
   • Violation of another user's privacy
   • Violations of computer system security.
   • Violation of network usage policies and regulations.
   • Violation of software license agreements.
   • Unauthorized use of computer accounts, and passwords access codes.
   • Intentional use of computer telecommunication facilities in ways that unnecessarily impede the computing activities of others.
   • Use of computing facilities for private business purposes unrelated to the mission of the College.
10. Copyright Policy - The use of any materials logos or other items copyrighted by Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana or others without the express permission is prohibited.
11. Use of printers:
    • Printing Internet web pages or other information not directly related to an authorized use is prohibited.
    • Excess printing is prohibited. Student must follow lab guidelines limiting the number of copies or pages that may be printed. Larger projects may require the approval or permission of a lab assistant or faculty member
    • Using non-approved paper in a college-owned printer is prohibited.