Network Acceptable Use Policy

Mission
The primary purpose of the Pitt Community College computer network is educational. The college's mission is to enhance economic development and the quality of life in our community through an environment of academic excellence, dedicated to educating a diverse population for success in the workplace and in higher education. All users must understand this purpose.

Code of Conduct for Users of www.pitt
The users of www.pitt (all of PCC's computer resources and computer network) must rely on the honesty, integrity, and respect for the rights of others and on a conscious effort to be of service to others and the community. The college does not attempt to define all acceptable or unacceptable uses of the network. Acceptable conduct must be assessed by individual users. The following information assists the users in making such assessments.

Examples of Acceptable Use Encouraged by Pitt Community College
1. Obtaining and spreading knowledge;
2. Gathering research material and data;
3. Analyzing data;
4. Providing data and research in support of public service;
5. Preparing course materials;
6. Enhancing educational approaches and teaching methods;
7. Enhancing course work;
8. Developing surveys and administering targeted demographic surveys.

Examples of Unacceptable Use
Users are responsible for their actions and activities on www.pitt, including responsibility for becoming informed of and complying with license and copyright provisions of the software they use. Unacceptable use of the network will result in suspension or revocation of those privileges. Unacceptable Use Includes:

1.	Using the network for any illegal activity, including violation of copyright or other contracts;
2.	Using the network for financial or other commercial gain;
3.	Degrading or disrupting equipment or system performance;
4.	Vandalizing the data of another user;
5.	Wastefully using finite resources;
6.	Gaining unauthorized access to resources or entities, including unauthorized use of others' passwords;
7.	Invading the privacy of individuals;
8.	Posting anonymous messages;
9.	Creating displaying threatening, obscene, racist, sexist, or harassing (persistently annoying of another user) material, including broadcasting unsolicited messages or sending unwanted mail;
10.	Using the network in support of groups outside the college when such use is not in keeping with the mission of the college; and
11.	Using personal web pages not primarily focused on the mission of the college.

Network Procedures

Manners - Appropriate network manners include being polite, using appropriate language, and not revealing personal addresses or phone numbers of students or colleagues. Remember: Electronic mail (email) is not guaranteed to be private. In addition, system operators log network use (WWW, e-mail, etc.) However, all communication and information accessible on the networks can be assumed to be private (following the dictates of common politeness and common sense.)

Authorization - Students, faculty, and staff must have appropriate authorization to use the network.

Priority of Access - Students, faculty, and staff have the right to access the equipment; thus, users shall not play games or use computer resources for non-academic purposes when other users require the system for academic purposes.

Conflicts - In the case of conflicts among users of computing resources and the network, resolution will follow the PCC Network Administration Hierarchy.

Disclaimer - Information obtained through www.pitt is at the user's own risk. PCC is not responsible for the accuracy or quality of information obtained. Users need to consider the source of any information obtained, and, as this is a global network, accept responsibility for accessing inappropriate material as described under
Unacceptable Uses.

Penalties for Improper Use - Users violating guidelines, including applicable state and federal laws, are subject to loss of network privileges. In addition, violation of state or federal statutes could make the users subject to criminal prosecution.

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