PLS Internet Acceptable Use Policy

Price Laboratory School Northern University High College of Education 1901 Campus Street University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA 50613-3593 Phone: (319) 273-2138 Fax: (319) 273-6457 Web Site Coordinator

		Malcolm Price Laboratory School/University of Northern Iowa Internet Acceptable Use Policy 1. Personal Responsibility I accept personal responsibility for authorized and appropriate use of any PLS/UNI computer and networking services made available to me. Access to university resources is a privilege, not a right. I acknowledge that I will be held personally responsible for any use made of UNI computing resources. I understand that my use of PLS/UNI computer related resources is subject to being monitored for inappropriate use. Unauthorized or inappropriate use of the University of Northern Iowa computing resources may be grounds for sanctions, which could include suspension or loss of computing privileges, disciplinary action or, in an extreme case, legal action. 2. Acceptable Use I understand that my use of PLS/UNI computer resources must comply with PLS and UNI educational policies. Use of these resources must be consonant with the goals and objectives of PLS classes and UNI educational programs. Use of PLS/UNI resources must comply with local, state and federal laws. For example, transmission over a network of any material in violation of federal or state law is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to: copyrighted material, threatening or obscene material, or material protected as a trade secret. I am aware that inappropriate use of computer and networking resources can be a violation of local, state and federal laws, and that I can be prosecuted for violating those laws. In addition, I understand that use of PLS/UNI computer resources must comply with school guidelines established for use of copyrighted materials, and for electronic publishing of images or names of persons. Commercial, for-profit activities are prohibited. Product advertisements, chain letters, and political lobbying are also prohibited. Acceptable Use Contract Price Laboratory School requests that parents and students read and sign a PLS Internet Acceptable Use Contract when they enroll their child(ren) in school. The intent of the contract is to inform and educate PLS students and their parents of many educational, ethical, legal and safety issues regarding the use of computer resources, and to secure permission for students to use the Internet. When signed, the Internet Acceptable Use Contract will remain in effect for the duration of your student(s) enrollment at Price Laboratory School or until the contract is revised. The signatures indicate that you have read and understand the terms and conditions of the contract, and authorizes permission for your child(ren) to use the Internet and computer resources at Price Laboratory School. University of Northern Iowa Policy on Use of Computer Resources - (Policies approved by Cabinet 13 April 98) University of Northern Iowa computing resources are for use by the students, faculty, staff and other authorized users of the University of Northern Iowa; and only for purposes consonant with the mission of the university. The university by its very nature values openness and promotes access to a wide range of information. Campus information systems have been designed to be as open as possible and, as such, the university insists on appropriate use of these systems. Because disruption of the electronic environment has widespread consequences for many members of the university community and because electronic information is easily reproduced, respect for the work and rights of others is especially important. Systems are not private. The university reserves the right for its system administrators to monitor systems under their control and responsibility when necessary. Policy on Ethical Behavior with Respect to the Electronic Information Environment Unauthorized or inappropriate use of the University of Northern Iowa computing resources is prohibited and is grounds for sanctions which can include suspension or loss of computing privileges, disciplinary action or, in extreme cases, legal action. Users with access to university computer services may be held personally responsible for any use made of their authorization. "Authorization" refers to the computer account, transaction (authorization, or any other means by which one gains access to any computer system). UNI policy prohibiting sexual harassment covers all uses of electronic technology and communication on campus, including e-mail correspondences and new groups. The following are a sample, but not exhaustive list of behaviors with respect to the electronic environment which are expressly prohibited. Accessing without authorization, or attempting to access, alter, erase or intercept (such as by bus or network monitoring) computer data that are not one's own. Accessing, or attempting to access, equipment or networks at UNI or elsewhere via UNI resources, without permission. Using, or attempting to use, someone else's authorization. Permitting others (at UNI or elsewhere) to use one's own authorization. Modifying or extending network services and wiring beyond their intended use. Concealing or attempting to conceal one's identity when using university resources, except when anonymous access is explicitly provided. Forgery or misrepresentation of one's identity. Impairing, interrupting or inhibiting any other person's access or use of resources except consequential to normal and acceptable use. (Examples include generating or spreading a virus, sending codes to lock another person's keyboard, making excessive noise, and inordinate consumption of resources, including network bandwidth). Sending anonymous, deceptive, fraudulent, or unwelcome electronic communications, such as chain letters. Violating license agreements, copyrights or intellectual property rights. Violating contractual obligations of the university (UNI Policy Copyright-Protected Materials). Retransmitting UNI-specific or commercially-obtained network resources outside of the university community. Commercial use of information from university databases or university resources. 3. Web Publishing a. Copyright Laws. System users must obey copyright laws. Do not reproduce, send or publish copyrighted material without necessary written approvals. Comply with any restrictions which pertain to approval for forwarding intellectual property. Cite copyrighted materials properly. Put a copyright notice on your personal intellectual property. b. Publishing on the Web. PLS policy requires parent permission to allow the publishing of student images, full names or the work of an individual on the web. When a student enrolls at PLS, their parent(s)/guardian(s) are asked to read and sign a PLS Media Release form for their child(ren). When signed, the PLS Media Release form will remain in effect for the duration of the student(s) enrollment at Price Laboratory School or until the form is revised. The signatures would authorize Price Laboratory School/the University of Northern Iowa to develop and use audio and video recordings, still or motion pictures that may include the child's image, name and work for web-based, non-web based presentations, programs, publications, CDs, DVDs, transmissions and other educational endeavors, and to provide email communication, including the student's grades, to be sent to a parent's/guardian's email address. Student images. "Student images" refers to any individual picture or likeness of the student, any group picture which includes the student, or any other picture in which the student's identity is recognizable. Student names. PLS policy is to publish only the first names of students whose parents have given permission for publishing their names Student work. PLS general policy is to identify student work only as part of the work of a particular class. PLS students must adhere to the PLS Web Publishing policy concerning copyright, use of student images, names, and work. 4. Email Communication a. Email addresses may be issued to students upon request of a faculty member for classroom related projects. b. Email Communication Release Form - When a student is enrolled at PLS, or when the Media Release form is revised, parent/guardian permission is requested to authorize PLS to send email communication, including their child's (ren's) grades, to the parent's/guardian's email address. 5. Privacy/Safety a. Privacy of Email. Protect your own privacy. Electronic mail is not guaranteed to be private. The university reserves the right to monitor communications on all networks. Do not maintain private information on the system disk storage. Your files may be accessible to persons with system privileges. b. Take Safety Precautions. Be wary. On the Internet you can never be sure that anyone is who they claim to be. The pamphlets "Child Safety on the Information Highway," and "Teen Safety on the Information Highway," published by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, are available to parents and students as requested or appropriate. These pamphlets suggest a perspective for considering both the benefits and hazards of using the Internet. The pamphlets also identify specific risks, suggest how parents can reduce risks, and provide some rules for online safety. We emphasize three of these recommendations: Personal information. Do not publicly post your phone number, address, or personal information. Do not give out the phone numbers or addresses of others. Meeting with strangers. Do not arrange to meet another computer user, who is a stranger, face-to-face. Responding to messages. Do not respond to any messages or bulletin board items which are suggestive, obscene, belligerent, threatening, or make you feel uncomfortable. If such a message is received, it should be reported to and forwarded to your teacher. 6. Controversial Materials Network users may encounter material which is controversial and which users, parents, teachers, administrators, or others may consider inappropriate or offensive. On a global network it is impossible to control effectively the content of available data. The user must apply the guidelines of this contract in making decisions about accessing material. Any effort on the part of PLS or UNI to restrict access to material shall not be deemed to impose any duty on the part of PLS or UNI to regulate the content of material on the Internet, the World Wide Web, or other accessible networks. 7. Security If issued an email account for a project, do not give your password to any other person or use another person's account. You are responsible for any use of your authorized account and for keeping it secure. 8. Warranties PLS and UNI make no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, regarding use of computer information services. PLS and UNI will not be responsible for any damages suffered as a result of using computer information services. PLS and UNI will not be responsible for loss of data as a result of delays, non-deliveries, or interruptions of service caused by the system, or user errors or omissions. Use of any information obtained through the system is at the user's risk. UNI and PLS specifically disclaim any responsibility for the accuracy of information obtained through its services. 9. Operational Expectations Basic operational rules which are expected to be followed whenever computer or related equipment is used at PLS. Gum, candy, pop, or other food or beverage items should not be brought into a computer laboratory or near a computer. Computer equipment is not to be moved, disassembled, connected or disconnected without specific teacher permission and supervision. Software and data files are not to be downloaded unless there is a direct need for a specific class assignment. Ask for permission before downloading. Remove large files and software from your computer when no longer needed. Use of "chat" is prohibited unless directly related to a specific class assignment. Games of any type are prohibited unless specifically related to a class assignment and approved by the teacher. E-mail and the Web are to be used only as part of class assignments and as designated by the teacher. Print only teacher approved materials. Do not print entire web pages when only a short part of the page is needed. Get permission each time you need to print if blanket approval for printing has not been given for a specific project. Report all accidents, malfunctions and/or equipment problems to the teacher immediately.