Office of Larry E. Reider
Kern County Superintendent of Schools

Internet Acceptable Use Policy for Employees

Part I KCSOS Networks and the Internet

Introduction
Information Networks
New Connections for your Computer
Who's On the Internet?
Your Behavior
Moral and Ethical Issues
Electronic Libraries and Information Access
A Note on Using Resources
Legal Issues: A Note to All Users

Part II Internet Use Terms and Conditions

Acceptable Use
Privileges
Network Etiquette
Recommended Practices
Unacceptable Use
Penalty for Inappropriate Use of the KCSOS System
Services
Security
Vandalism
Updating

Part I KCSOS Networks and the Internet

Introduction

Through the Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office (KCSOS) Wide-Area Network (WAN) many network-based services are being provided. Included in these services are the KCSOS Internet Services Platform (ISP), electronic mail (e-mail) and Internet access.

The KCSOS Internet Services Platform (ISP) introduces powerful educational resources which gives access to information all over the world. You can connect to businesses, universities, libraries, schools and even students all around the world. The KCSOS ISP offers a wide variety of Internet tools to use in accessing the information available on the Internet. We are very pleased to provide access for KCSOS employees to these vast, diverse and unique resources.

The Internet is an electronic community. From your computer you can travel all over the world to gather information. As more people visit this community, maps to find information and rules to keep traveling safe become vital to successfully completing the journey. There are important rules you must follow that govern acceptable behavior when using these KCSOS ISP resources. In using these rules, you will make your journey across cyberspace both safe and successful.

Before you are issued an account for Internet access, you must read this Internet Acceptable Use Policy. At our Internet Access Orientation meetings we will explain in detail the KCSOS policies for Internet access. You will need to sign a statement acknowledging that you are aware of, and agree to, the proper procedures for using the KCSOS ISP. This signed statement becomes your permission for Internet access through the KCSOS ISP.

The smooth operation of the network depends upon the proper conduct of its users. In general this requires efficient, ethical and legal use of the network resources. We have provided the following information, guidelines, and policies that all KCSOS ISP users must observe as the proper way to use the tools. If you violate any of these guidelines, your account may be suspended or terminated and future access may be denied.


Information Networks

Information networks are created for the purpose of sharing information between co-workers, researchers, educators and businesspeople. These networks are then inter-networked to enable people across the world to have access to the stored information. The Internet is a world-wide collection of these information networks and the KCSOS WAN is one of the thousands of networks that make up the Internet. Through this "network of networks" you can review, study, and print out useful articles, documents, and graphics. You can access current facts about news, weather, sports, research, and entire encyclopedias.

The KCSOS WAN connects the superintendent's office with Kern County schools and districts, various education agencies, government offices, and school business partners for access to many educational resources. This makes conducting school business and sharing information and communicating with a broad Kern County community possible. The WAN and ISP support activities which have educational value for administrators, teachers and students.


New Connections for your Computer

It is important to understand the many consequences of making new computer connections by using the KCSOS ISP. Since the Internet is a world-wide network, some of the material on the Internet may not be appropriate in the educational or office setting. The KCSOS has taken precautions to restrict access to inappropriate materials. However, since we cannot control the content of the Internet, users are advised that some parts of the Internet contain material that is defamatory, inaccurate, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, racially offensive or illegal. The KCSOS does not condone the use of these materials or permit their use in the school or office environment. The intent of the KCSOS is to use connections on the Internet for purposes consistent with approved curriculum and information resources.


Who's On the Internet?

The Internet networks are "public places." You should remember that you are sharing this space with many other users. Thousands or even millions of individuals will be interacting across the networks at the same time. Your actions can be "seen" by others on the network. If you use a particular service on the network, someone knows the connections that you are making, what computer software you are using and what you looked at while you were in the system. Because these connections are granted to you as part of the larger scope of curriculum resources, the KCSOS has the right to monitor your network use to make sure the network continues to function properly for all users.


Your Behavior

You are expected to use the network to pursue intellectual activities, seek information resources, access libraries and other types of educational, learning, or school business activities. We want you to explore and discover what is available for teaching, learning, and for conducting school business.

When you are using the computer network and communicating with other users, remember the following:

• You cannot see other users
• You cannot tell how old they are or even what sex they are
• Other users can tell you anything, and you cannot always be sure what they are telling you is true
• Absolute privacy cannot be guaranteed in a network environment. So, you need to think carefully about what you write and how you write it.

For your own safety and for the safety of others, remember to exercise caution when you are communicating with people anywhere. For example, do not give out your home phone number or your address to anyone. If you feel there is a problem or if you feel uncomfortable with the information someone is giving you, tell your manager or your administrator immediately. Similarly, you may not harass other users. You do not want to run the risk of breaking the law by bothering other people. If another network user asks that you no longer send them e-mail or in any other way contact them, you must stop all contact immediately. You may feel you have the right to freedom of expression, but others have the right to be free from harassment. The rules applying to harassing others includes using abusive or obscene language on the network. You may not use the network to annoy, harass, or otherwise offend other people.

These rules also apply to vandalism of computer equipment, unauthorized access to information, computer piracy, hacking, or any tampering with hardware or software. This policy applies to all damage or information loss on the networks that might be caused by destructive devices such as computer viruses. If you are responsible for causing a computer to become infected with viruses, worms, or any other type of destructive device, you will be held liable.


Moral and Ethical Issues

While the KCSOS wants you to use this valuable educational and information tool, the KCSOS does not condone the use of inappropriate information on the Internet. The KCSOS acknowledges that some materials exist that are inappropriate to the education mission and we will do everything we reasonably can to prevent them from being accessed. You must clearly understand that access to such material in any form is strictly forbidden. The WAN is designed to achieve and support instructional and school business goals. You should avoid any information that does not support the KCSOS education mission.

Although the actual percentage of unacceptable materials is small, it can cause concern for users and administrators if these materials are accessed. If you have a question or concern regarding any materials you find, contact your supervisor or administrator.


Electronic Libraries and Information Access

Electronic databases and Internet information are rapidly becoming part of our research toolbox, and many educational agencies and public libraries offer some type of Internet access as part of their services. Guidelines for access to information have already been established in the Library Bill of Rights of 1980. These principles apply to the Internet as well because materials on the Internet can be considered part of a vast digital library. This document states that "attempts to restrict access to library materials violate the basic tenets of the Library Bill of Rights," however, school librarians are required to devise collections that are "consistent with the philosophy, goals, and objectives of the school district." This means that users have the right to information, but also that the KCSOS administration has the right to restrict information that does not apply to the approved education mission.


A Note on Using Resources

Information networks have limited capacities. The more simultaneous users that are on the network, the more congested the network becomes and access to information takes longer. The following guidelines will help ease the congestion:

• Do not tie up the network with idle activities.
• Do not play games with others on the network or on the Internet. Networks are not designed for computer games.
• Do not download huge information files unless necessary or directed to do so by your supervisor or administrator. Download only the information you need.
• Use your access time efficiently. Remember, there are many other users who are also using the network.

Legal Issues: A Note to All Users

A. The Law. The state of California passed a computer crime bill in December of 1979. The bill added section 502 to the Penal Code making it a felony to intentionally access any computer system or network for the purpose of:

1. devising or executing any scheme or artifice to defraud or extort, or
2. obtaining money, property, or services with false or fraudulent intent, representations, or promises.

It is also a felony to maliciously access, alter, delete, damage or destroy any computer system, computer network, computer program, or data. Penalties include fines up to $5000 and/or imprisonment in the state prison for up to three years or the county jail for up to one year. Anyone committing acts of this kind will face disciplinary action by the KCSOS and legal action by the authorities. The person will be punished to the full extent of the law.

Some examples of offenses are changing or deleting another user's account, changing the password of another user, using an unauthorized account, damaging any files, altering the system, or using the system to make money illegally. You cannot intentionally cause damage to any KCSOS property. This includes network hardware and software.

B. Plagiarism. Plagiarism is "taking ideas or writings from another person and offering them as your own." Credit should always be given to the person who created the article or the idea. The user who leads readers to believe that what they are reading is the user's original work when it is not is guilty of plagiarism. Be careful when you are using the network. Cutting and pasting ideas into your own document is very easy to do. When using someone else's work, be sure that you give credit to the author.

C. Copyright law. According to the Copyright Act of 1976, "Fair Use" means that you may freely use any information that you legally find on the information networks as long as you do so only for scholarly purposes. You may not plagiarize or sell what you find. The law states that "in determining whether the use made of a work in any particular case is a fair use the factors to be considered shall include--

(1) the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;
(2) the nature of the copyrighted work;
(3) the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and
(4) the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work."

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Part II Internet Use Terms and Conditions

1. Acceptable Use. The KCSOS ISP network services are provided for education and educators. The use of your account must be in support of education and research and consistent with the educational objectives of the KCSOS. Use by individuals for commercial activities is not acceptable, and use for political lobbying is also prohibited.

2. Privileges. The use of the KCSOS WAN and ISP is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of the privilege to use these resources through the KCSOS ISP. The KCSOS administration reserves the right to deny, revoke, or suspend specific user accounts at any time it is deemed necessary.

3. Network Etiquette. You are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. These include (but are not limited to) the following:

a. Be Polite. Never send, or encourage others to send, abusive messages.
b. Use Appropriate Language. Remember that you are a representative of yourself and the KCSOS on a publicly accessible system. You may be alone with your computer, but what you write is seen globally! Never swear or use vulgarities or any other inappropriate language.
c. Privacy. Remember that revealing your own phone number and address is like listing them in a public telephone directory, and may result in unwanted intrusions of your privacy. Do not reveal your telephone number or address.
d. Electronic Mail. Electronic mail (e-mail) is not guaranteed to be private. Messages relating to or in support of illegal or unethical activities must be reported to the KCSOS ISP administration.

Recommended Practices

• Use accurate and descriptive titles for your e-mail subject lines. Tell people what your input is about before they read it.
• Get the most appropriate audience for your message, not the widest. Avoid cross-posting to numerous groups and bulk mailing of large messages.
• Be brief. Fewer people will bother to read a long message.
• Minimize spelling errors and make sure your message is easy to understand and read.
• Forgive the spelling and grammatical errors of others.
• Remember that humor and satire are often misinterpreted. Be certain that your writing is clear.
• Cite references for any facts you present.
• Keep signatures at the end of your e-mail brief.
• Remember that all network users are human beings. Don't attack correspondents; persuade them with facts.
• Don't use ALL CAPITAL LETTERS--this is like SHOUTING.

4. Unacceptable Use. The KCSOS WAN and ISP may not be used for any purpose which conflicts with the KCSOS goals or for illegal or unethical purposes. Appropriateness of use will be determined by the KCSOS. The following are examples of use that is inappropriate and, therefore, unacceptable:

a. Use without having a written acceptance of these terms and conditions on file.
b. Sending or receiving messages that have content or purpose which is likely to be illegal or unethical. The KCSOS reserves the right to set standards determining the likely illegality or unethical nature of any information residing on the system.
c. Transmitting unacceptable content which includes but is not limited to material which is likely to be pornographic, unethical, or contain illegal solicitations, or to be racist or sexist, or to contain inappropriate language for a K-12 environment.
d. Transmitting a message with someone else's name as author or using someone else's account.
e. Transmitting any material in violation of any United States or California law or regulation. This includes copyrighted or trademarked material, threatening or obscene material, or material protected by trade secret.
f. Use that impairs or damages the KCSOS system operations or the use of the KCSOS system by another account holder.
g. Sharing of an individual account or password. These accounts are not family accounts and are for the use of the employee only.
h. The KCSOS ISP accounts are not designed for simultaneous use. If the ISP administration determines that an account is being used by more than one person, your account will be suspended to protect your account and e-mail security.

5. Penalty for Inappropriate Use of the KCSOS System. Inappropriate use of the KCSOS system may result in a cancellation of the offending account. Each situation which requires review will be handled individually with the dual intent of educating account holders concerning appropriate use and conforming to the KCSOS policies and terms and conditions of use.

6. Services. The KCSOS makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing and will not be responsible for any damages suffered while on this system. These damages include loss of data as a result of delays, non-deliveries, mis-deliveries, or service interruptions caused by the system or your errors or omissions. Use of any information obtained via the Internet is at your own risk. The KCSOS specifically disclaims any responsibility for the accuracy of information obtained through its Network Services.

7. Security. Security on any computer system is a high priority. If you identify a security problem, notify the system administrator at once. Never demonstrate the problem to other users. Never use another individual's user ID and password. Any user identified as a security risk due to behavior on the KCSOS system or any other system will be denied access to the system.

8. Vandalism. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to observe information intended to be private or to change data created or owned by another user or any other agency or network that is accessible from the KCSOS system or to make any unauthorized changes to the appearance or operational characteristics of the KCSOS system. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading of computer viruses and the changing of any file not owned by the user on the KCSOS system. Any vandalism will result in the loss of the account and legal referral.

9. Updating. The KCSOS may occasionally require review and update of your account information to continue service. You must notify the KCSOS of any changes in your account information.