CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF EVANSVILLE
Good Shepherd School
INTERNET ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY
STATEMENT OF GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The Catholic School in the Diocese of Evansville are pleased to offer Internet access to students and faculty members. Internet services provide access to electronic mail, public shareware of all types, many university card catalogs, and massive databases on computer networks at universities, government agencies, and private industries. The goal of providing Internet access is to promote educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication.
With access to computers and people all over the world also comes the availability of material not considered to be of educational value in the context of the school setting. The Internet may contain material that is objectionable from many points of view. Faculty members of Good Shepherd School, Diocese of Evansville, understand this and have taken precautions to control access by students to controversial material by instructing and supervising students in the proper use of the Internet and electronic mail. Still, on a global network it is impossible to control all materials that are objectionable or inappropriate. In addition, an industrious user may gain access to sites that are supposed to be filtered. Families should be aware that some material accessible via the Internet may contain items that are illegal, defamatory, inaccurate, sexually explicit, ot otherwise potentially offensive to some people. In addition, it is possible to purchase certain goods and services via the Internet which could result in unwanted financial obligations for which a student’s parents or guardian could be liable.
That notwithstanding, Good Shepherd School, Diocese of Evansville, believes that the benefit Internet access holds for the students exceeds any disadvantages. Toward that end, parents and guardians are responsible for setting and conveying the standard that their children will follow whne using the Internet or any information source. This standard of conduct should conform to the Christian principles of the school.
The availability of the Internet to students of Good Shepherd School, Diocese of Evansville, rests upon the proper conduct of individual students adhering to strict guidelines to ensure efficient, ethical and legal utilization of Internet resources. While on-line, students are to use the same good behavior that is expected of them in the classroom or in any other area of the school.
If a student violates any of the terms and conditions described below, his or her Internet access will be terminated and future access could be denied. Futhermore, a student may be subject to disciplinary action, including expulsion, for abusive use of the Internet. This also includes Internet communications that take place outside of the school if these communications threaten other students or disrupt the educational environment in the school.
Users of the school-based computers should not expect stored files to be private. Electronic messages and files stored on school-based computers should be treated as school lockers. Faculty members may review files and messages to maintain system integrity and to ensure that users are acting responsibly.
Please read the Terms and Conditions carefully. By reading and following Internet Use Policy Contract, students and parents or guardians are acknowledging that they are aware of their rights and responsibilities as users of the Internet in the school.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. ACCEPTABLE USE – The purpose
of using the Internet in the school is to support education by providing access
to unique resources and the opportunity for collaborative work. The use of
school accounts must be in support of education and consistent with the
educational objectives and Christian principles of the Catholic Diocese of
Evansville as set forth in the Code of Christian Conduct.
2. PRIVILEGES – The use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of those privileges. The faculty member in charge will determine what is inappropriate use, and his or her decision is final. A student account may be closed when necessary, or access to the Internet may be denied, revoked or suspended.
3. NETWORK ETIQUETTE – Students are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette at all times. These rules include, but are not limited to:
5. VANDALISM – Vandalism will result in cancellation of Internet privileges. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another user, network, or agency that is connected to the Internet. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or downloading of any computer viruses, attempts at gaining unauthorized access, or changing on-line materials without permission. Students and parents will be responsible for restitution of any financial consequences resulting from breaches of security or vandalism.
6. COPYRIGHT – It is the intent of Good Shepherd School, Diocese of Evansville, to adhere to the provisions of Copyright laws in the area of electronic media. The procedures listed below represent an effort to operate legally and ethically.7. PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY – The student will accept personal responsibility for his or her use of the electronic information system. There are many forms of misuse, but it is commonly viewed as:
Good Shepherd School, Diocese of Evansville, has adopted a policy of "Zero Tolerance" with regard to the communication treats or harassment through the Internet. Verbal threats are expressions of intent to do harm which causes an individual to be fearful. Harassment is any form of unwelcome, unsolicited, and unreciprocated behavior that denigrates someone or offends or humiliates them. Verbal threats and/or harassment will subject a student to disciplinary procedures.
8. WARRANTIES, DAMAGES – Good Shepherd School, Diocese of Evansville, make no warranties of any kind whether express or implied, for the services they are providing. Neither the school nor the Catholic Diocese of Evansville will be responsible for any damages the student suffers while on the system. These damages include loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, misdeliveries, or service interruptions caused by negligence, error, or omissions. Use of any information obtained via the Internet is at your own risk. The school and the Catholic Diocese of Evansville specifically deny any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through their services.DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES
The purpose of providing Internet access to students is to facilitate communications in support of research and education. To remain eligible as a user, a student must use the Internet in support of and consistent with the educational objectives and Christian principles of the Catholic Diocese of Evansville. Access is a privilege, not a right. Access entails responsibility.
Misuse of the Internet will not be tolerated. If a student’s use of the Internet is not for school work, then it is misuse. Examples of misuse are:
Violations of the policies and procedures of Good Shepherd School, Diocese of Evansville, concerning the use of the Internet as set forth in the Internet Acceptable Use Policy may result in disciplinary actions, including, but not limited to, the following: