Student use of Computerized Information Resources - 7315
The Southern Westchester BOCES (SWBOCES)Board of Education will provide access to various computerized information resources through the SWBOCES computer system ("BCS" hereafter) consisting of software, hardware, devices, computer networks and electronic communications systems. This may include access to email, "on-line services" and the Internet. It may also include the opportunity for some students (“student” refers to those enrolled in SWBOCES programs grades K-12 or Adult Education) to have independent access to the BCS from their home or other remote locations. All use of the BCS, including independent use off SWBOCES premises, shall be subject to this policy and accompanying regulations. Further, all such use must be in support of education and/or research and consistent with the goals and purposes of SWBOCES.
Access to Inappropriate Content/Material and Use of Personal Technology or Electronic Devices
This policy is intended to establish general guidelines for the acceptable student use of the BCS and also to give students and parents/guardians notice that student use of the BCS will provide student access to external computer networks not controlled by SWBOCES. SWBOCES puts forth the best effort possible to protect students from inappropriate content at all times. However, SWBOCES cannot screen or review all of the available content or materials on these external computer networks. Thus some of the available content or materials on these external networks may be deemed unsuitable by parents/guardians for student use or access. Students may have the ability to access such content or material from their home, other locations off school premises and/or with a student's own personal technology or electronic device on school grounds or at school events. Parents and guardians must be willing to establish boundaries and standards for the appropriate and acceptable use of technology and communicate these boundaries and standards to their children. The appropriate/acceptable use standards outlined in this policy apply to student use of technology via the BCS or any other electronic media or communications, including by means of a student's own personal technology or electronic device, on school grounds or at school events.
Standards of Acceptable Use
Generally, the same standards of acceptable student conduct which apply to any SWBOCES activity shall apply to use of the BCS. This policy does not attempt to articulate all required and/or acceptable uses of the BCS; nor is it the intention of this policy to define all inappropriate usage. Administrative regulations will further define general guidelines of appropriate student conduct and use as well as proscribed behavior.
SWBOCES students shall also adhere to the laws, policies and rules governing computers and/or network use including, but not limited to, copyright laws, rights of software publishers, license agreements and rights of privacy created by federal and state law.
Students who engage in unacceptable use may lose access to the BCS in accordance with applicable due process procedures, and may be subject to further discipline under SWBOCES policy and the Code of Conduct. SWBOCES reserves the right to pursue legal action against a student who willfully, maliciously or unlawfully damages or destroys SWBOCES property and/or its computer networks. Further, SWBOCES may bring suit in civil court against the parents/guardians of any student who willfully, maliciously or unlawfully damages or destroys SWBOCES property and/or its computer networks pursuant to General Obligations Law Section 3-112.
Student data files and other electronic storage areas, like school lockers, are SWBOCES property. As such, these areas are subject to control and inspection by SWBOCES. SWBOCES may access all such files and communications without prior notice. Students should not expect that information stored on the BCS will be private. Students have no expectation of privacy in any information or files in the BCS, including, but not limited to, in SWBOCES computers/devices, in its email system, or in its network in general.
Rules of Conduct and Compliance
Students who violate this Acceptable Use policy and/or its accompanying regulations may have their access rights suspended or revoked by SWBOCES. In addition, disciplinary action may be taken as permitted by applicable law and the Code of Conduct. List of non-exhaustive examples of prohibited uses of the BCS are provided in Regulation 7315R.
Implementation
Administrative regulations will be developed to implement the terms of this policy, addressing general parameters of acceptable student conduct as well as prohibited activities so as to provide appropriate guidelines for employee use of the BCS.
This Acceptable Use Policy is subject to change. SWBOCES reserves the right to restrict or terminate BCS access at any time for any reason. SWBOCES further reserves the right to monitor network activity as it sees fit in order to maintain the integrity of the BCS and to monitor acceptable use.
Disciplinary penalties will be determined in accordance with applicable law and the Code of Conduct. However, by signing the Consent Form to this Acceptable Use Policy, students agree that suspension or revocation of access will be determined by the network administrator, acting in consultation with Building and BOCES-wide administrators.
The Consent and Waiver Agreement must be signed and returned by the student as a condition of use of and access to the BCS.
Notification
The BOCES Acceptable Use Policy and Regulations will be disseminated to parents and students in order to provide notice of SWBOCES requirements, expectations, and students' obligations when accessing the BCS.
Regulations will be established as necessary to implement the terms of this policy.
