|
| |
SMCC Computer Usage Policy
(excerpted from the Compass)
Download the document
Introduction
This policy governs all uses by students of the computing resources maintained
by Southern Maine Community College and is designed to protect both the students
and the College’s computing resources which include, but are not limited to,
computers, peripherals, network components, and the physical and logical data.
Each student who uses College computer resources is responsible for reading,
understanding and complying with this policy.
Guidelines:
• Use the College’s website, server, and all other related computer
equipment and services only for academic, educational, or professional purposes,
which are directly related to official College business and in support of the
College’s mission. Be responsible for all activities conducted using SMCC user
IDs.
• Do not disclose SMCC user IDs or passwords to anyone.
• Access only SMCC files and data that are your own, that are publicly
available, or to which you have authorized access. Be considerate in your use of
shared resources and refrain from monopolizing systems, overloading networks
with excessive data, or wasting computer time, disk space, printer paper,
manuals or other resources. If it is necessary to allow an authorized third
person to access a user’s files or data, as in the case of illness, a formal
request must be made in writing to the Dean of Students.
• Student user accounts and all data found in student user accounts may be
removed at the end of each semester.
The Following are Prohibited:
• Use of another person’s user ID or password.
• Use of another person’s files or data without permission.
• Unauthorized interception, reading, copying or modifying of private electronic
data.
• Use of computer programs to decode passwords or access controlled information.
• To view, download, store, or transmit materials that, if viewed in public, may
create a hostile environment and constitute sexual harassment under the SMCC
policy or the law.
• To circumvent, subvert, or attempt to circumvent or subvert system or network
security measures.
• To purposely engage in any activity that might be harmful to system/network or
to any information stored thereon, such as creating or propagating viruses,
disrupting services, or damaging files.
• To download any on-line software without authorization from the IT Staff.
• To use the network for purposes that places a heavy load on scarce resources.
• To use Southern Maine Community College’s computers or networks to libel,
slander, or harass any other person. The following shall constitute computer
harassment: (1) Using the computer to annoy, harass, terrify, intimidate,
threaten, offend or bother another person by conveying obscene language,
pictures, or other materials or threats of bodily harm to the recipient or the
recipient’s immediate family; (2) Using the computer to contact another person
repeatedly once the recipient has provided reasonable notice that he or she
desires such communication to cease; (3) Using the computer to disrupt or damage
the academic research, administrative, or related pursuits of another; (4) Using
the computer to invade the privacy, academic or otherwise, of another or
threatened invasion of privacy of another.
• To waste computer resources, for example, by intentionally placing a program
in an endless loop or by printing excessive amounts of paper.
• To use the College’s systems or networks for personal gain; for example, by
selling access to your user ID or to College systems or networks, or by
performing work for profit with College resources in a manner not authorized by
the College.
• To use the College’s systems or networks to transmit any material in violation
of United States or Maine laws or regulations.
• To engage in any other activity that does not comply with these Guidelines
presented above.
Privacy:
Users of the College’s Computer Network System should have no expectation of
privacy over any content, communications, transmissions, or work performed
thereon. Computers owned by the College are provided for college and educational
use only. Note that the College retains ownership of all computer transactions
as business records and these records may be subject to discovery in litigation.
Any information on a College computer or storage media may be subject to the
State’s public record law and may therefore be subject to disclosure upon
request.
The College does not routinely monitor students’ computer activities unless it
receives notice of possible misuse or violation of policy. However, should the
College discover, as a result of routine maintenance, technical fault or
investigation of criminal activity, misuse or violation of policy, it will not
guarantee privacy. By using computers on campus, students are waiving their
right to privacy and are consenting to College review and monitoring of their
computer use.
Further:
• The College endeavors to maintain the privacy of personal communications.
Where necessary, the College will take action to protect the integrity and
operation of its networks.
• In the course of routine system maintenance, technical problems, investigation
of an alleged violation of policy, or criminal investigations, College employees
will be permitted to intercept, read, copy or modify private electronic data,
either in transit across a network or stored within a computer system.
• The College will collect utilization statistics based upon network protocol
and application use.
• The College will progressively restrict non-essential users where network
utilization results in performance degradation. Such restriction will be
publicized to users through appropriate means.
Back to top
Academic Honesty and Plagiarism
Adherence to ethical academic standards is obligatory. Cheating is a serious
offense, whether it consists of taking credit for work done by another person or
doing work for which another person will receive credit. Taking and using the
ideas or writings of another person without clearly and fully crediting the
source is plagiarism and violates the academic code as well as the Student Code
of Conduct. If it is proven that a student in any course in which s/he is
enrolled has knowingly committed such a violation, appropriate action will be
taken under the Student Code of Conduct that may result in suspension from the
course and a failing grade in the course. Students have the right to appeal
these actions to the Disciplinary Committee under the terms outlined in the
Student Code of Conduct.
Back to top
Grades and Grading
| Grade: |
Quality Points
Per Credit: |
Interpretation: |
| A |
4.00 |
93-100 |
| A- |
3.67 |
90-92 |
| B+ |
3.33 |
87-89 |
| B |
3.00 |
83-86 |
| B- |
2.67 |
80-82 |
| C+ |
2.33 |
77-79 |
| C |
2.00 |
73-76 |
| C- |
1.67 |
70-72 |
| D+ |
1.33 |
67-69 |
| D |
1.00 |
63-66 |
| F |
0.00 |
63-0 |
| AF |
0.00 |
Administrative failure assigned at the discretion of the
instructor designating unofficial withdrawal (failure to continue
attending class) |
| I |
None |
Incomplete |
| W |
None |
Official withdrawal from a course prior to the 13th week
of classes; no credit earned. |
Back to top
IT Dept.
Classroom and Computer usage Policies
- All of the software contained on the classroom servers is copyrighted
unless otherwise specified. Under no circumstances is the student to copy
any software for the purpose of individual possession.
- Students, when using any SMCC or student owned computer in any computer
classrooms / labs shall not download or install copyrighted software, music,
or videos from the Internet
for any purpose.
- Student owned laptop computers are restricted to the CSEC building
wireless network connections. Due to security and other concerns, it is
strictly prohibited to connect a student owned laptop to a IT Dept. wired
network connection.
- Students shall not unplug any of the system units or monitors in any of
the IT classrooms so to be able to plug in a personal laptop.
- All students shall behave in a cooperative manner and shall be
considerate of other students at all times.
- Students shall be responsible for the proper disposal of any trash
generated during class or lab hours.
- Food must not be consumed at any computer workstation in any of the IT
dept.
- Cell phones shall be turned off, or put in vibrate mode, during lecture periods.
Cell phones shall not be used for any purpose during the classroom periods
unless the student receives permission from the instructor.
Back to top
ADA Policy
Southern Maine Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action
institution and employer. For more information, please call 207-741-5798.
If you have a disabling condition and wish to request accommodations in order to
have reasonable access to the programs and services offered by SMCC, you must
register with the disability services coordinator, Mark Krogman, who can be
reached at 741-5629. There will be some documentation for your teachers that
must be supplied before accommodations can be given. Further information about
services for students with disabilities and the accommodation process is
available upon request at this number.
Back to top
Pay for Print Policy
Students can print 100 pages per semester for free. If you print over 100 pages,
you will be charged 10 cents per page to your Beacon Bucks account. Left-over
pages will roll over to the following semester but will zero out at the end of
the academic year. A pilot project tracking public printing has shown that this
amount of free printing meets the needs of the vast majority of students. The
College’s pay-for-print system monitors printing on all public printers (i.e.,
those in general access labs, library printers, the LAC, and technology labs).
Each time you log in to the system, the print station displays the remaining
print quota. Once the printing quota has been exceeded, users will be charged
$0.10 per page on their Beacon Bucks accounts. Color printouts will be charged
at 11-page units. This means each color printout will count as 11 pages toward
the quota and cost $1.10. Students can add money to their cards using a credit
card online.
Back to top
Add / Drop Policy
Students who drop a course during the one-week “add/drop” period in the fall and
spring semesters and the first three days of summer sessions receive a 100%
refund of the tuition and associated fees for that course. Please note any
course that meets for less than the traditional semester length, i.e., 15 weeks,
has a pro-rated add/drop period. There is no refund for non-attendance.
Back to top
Withdrawal Policy
A student may withdraw from a course only during the semester in which s/he is
registered for that course. The withdrawal period is the second through twelfth
week of the fall and spring semesters and the second through ninth week of
twelve-week summer courses. This period is pro-rated for shorter-length courses.
To withdraw from a course, a student must complete and submit the appropriate
course withdrawal form, available at the Enrollment Service Center (no phone
calls, please). The designation “W” will appear on the transcript after a
student has officially withdrawn. A course withdrawal is an uncompleted course
and may adversely affect financial aid eligibility. Failure to attend or ceasing
to attend class does not constitute withdrawal from the course. There is no
refund associated with a withdrawal.
Back to top
End of Course Evaluations
In order to gain access to final course grades, students must complete
evaluations for each course attended at SMCC. Evaluations are submitted online
and can be accessed through the student portal site. Students can access the
course evaluation report beginning two weeks before the end of classes. The
deadline for submission of evaluations occurs 24 hours after the last day of
classes each semester. Instructors will announce when the online course
evaluation is available.
Back to top
|
