Preamble
Technology resources at Georgetown College are provided to all faculty, students and staff to support the educational process and the administrative efforts for fulfillment of our mission statement. To remain consistent with the goals of this institution, therefore, the responsible use of these facilities is expected from all users.
The Georgetown College Technology Ethics Policy contains the governing guidelines for faculty, student and staff use of technology resources and is based on the EDUCOM Statement of Principle on Software and Intellectual Rights (stated below). This policy indicates the general principles regarding the appropriate use of equipment, software and networks, including the use of voice mail, electronic mail, distributed video services and computers. In addition, users of these resources must recognize and abide by federal, state and local laws and ordinances that relate to copyrights, security, privacy and other statutes involving electronic media.
Policy
The EDUCOM Statement of Principle on Software and Intellectual Rights states:
Respect for intellectual labor and creativity is vital to academic discourse and enterprise. This principle applies to work of all authors and publishers in all media. It encompasses respect for the right to acknowledgment, right to privacy, and right to determine the form, manner and terms of publication and distribution.
Because electronic information is volatile and easily reproduced, respect for work and personal expression of others is especially critical in computer environments. Violations of authorized integrity, including plagiarism, invasion of privacy, unauthorized access, and trade secret and copyright violations, may be grounds for sanctions against members of the academic community.
People who use the Georgetown College technology resources do so as guests of the college and are expected to act responsibly.
Because Georgetown College is a guest on the Internet, World Wide Web, email and related networks, those that access these networks serve as representatives of the college by the way in which they conduct their network activities. All users of Georgetown College resources must act with the highest ethical standards, respecting integrity of other users’ accounts, any and all copyrights, the rights of other users and the physical facilities and controls.
Enforcement
The use of Georgetown College technology resources is a privilege to faculty, students and staff. The privilege may be withdrawn (in addition to other appropriate actions) by the college based on the specific guidelines outlined both in this document and Faculty, Staff and Student handbooks.
Policy Date: 02/14/02 Policy Updated: 06/15/22