Technology and Network Resources Use Policy

MIAD Information Technology and Network Resources Use Policy

 

1. PURPOSE

 

Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) provides information technology and network resources for educational, research and administrative applications for its current faculty, staff, students and guests (hereinafter, the "MIAD Community"). In general, the MIAD Community may use College information technology (which includes privately owned computers connected to the College network) in connection with the College's teaching and student-centered mission. Because these technologies leverage each individual's ability to access and copy information from remote sources, users must be mindful of the rights of others to their privacy, intellectual property and other rights. This Use Policy codifies what is considered appropriate use of information technology and network resources with respect to the rights of others. With the privilege to use the information resources of the College come specific responsibilities outlined in this policy.

 

2. AUTHORIZED USE

 

2.1 Access to MIAD information technology and network resources imposes certain responsibilities and obligations and is granted subject to College policies and local, state and federal laws. Computer and network resource use should always be legal and ethical, reflect academic honesty and community standards, and show restraint in the consumption of shared resources.

 

2.2. Authorized use of MIAD information technology and network resources is consistent with the education, and service-learning mission of the College. Such use includes instruction, independent study, research, community service, and communications with professional colleagues and official business of offices, units, recognized student and campus organizations and agencies of the College. The term "authorized use" does not include the use of information technology and network resources for private endeavors such as independent contracting, or work for other institutions. Occasionally, students may contract for work that is closely related to their educational activities or the development of their professional portfolios. Provided that it does not interfere with activities directly related to the curriculum, students may occasionally be permitted to use MIAD Computing Resources for such work, on the recommendation of a faculty member and at the discretion of MIAD. The College reserves the right to extend, limit, restrict or deny privileges and access to its information technology and network resources and to retrieve and read any E-mail message, or other communication sent and/or received using College resources.

2.3. Authorized users of MIAD information technology and network resources are (1) the MIAD Community and (2) any other individual, group or business entity granted permission by an individual department chair or unit director responsible for particular information technology or network resources, provided such use is otherwise in compliance with this policy and does not unduly interfere with use by the MIAD Community.

 

2.4. Authorized users of MIAD information technology and network resources are personally responsible for the safety and security of said resources while in possession and/or use of them. In the case of lost, stolen, or damaged equipment, the authorized user, based on the degree of loss or damage, shall pay a minimum of 50% of the replacement value to the College. All repairs of MIAD information technology and network resources must be completed or authorized by MIAD's Technology department. All reimbursement requests for technology repairs and/or purchases must have prior approvable from MIAD's Technology department to be eligible for reimbursement.

 

3. APPLICABILITY

 

3.1. Hardware and Software

This policy is applicable to all electronic data storage, retrieval and communication apparatus (computers, servers, networking devices, telephones, projectors, printers, networked copiers or other information technology hardware) and all official applications software owned, licensed or leased by the College. In addition, any information technology that connects directly to the College data or telephone networks, connects directly to a computer or other device owned or operated by the college, and/or otherwise uses or affects College information-technology facilities is subject to College information-technology policies, regardless of its owner.

 

3.2 Data Management and Related Software

For purposes of this policy, information technology and network resources also include all electronic databases made accessible via MIAD but owned by other entities. These databases include on-line services to which the College subscribes on behalf of and for the benefit of the MIAD Community.

 

A. College Collaborative Technology Resources

 

The College Collaborative Technologies Resources includes course management systems, social networking, online portfolios, and online classroom collaborative tools, that are provided under the MIAD.EDU domain. Except for information posted to these resources by the Administration, MIAD does not control the content of information or files delivered these resources. MIAD neither accepts nor assumes any obligation to monitor these resources.

 

B. Electronic Mail

 

All messages composed, sent, or received on the E-mail system are and remain the property of the College. They are not the private property of any MIAD Community member. The use of the E-mail systems is for College business only and may not be used to solicit for commercial ventures, religious or political causes, outside organizations or other non-job-related solicitations.

 

4. LICENSE GRANTED TO Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design

 

4.1. By posting messages, uploading files, inputting data or engaging in any form of communication via the network, users grant MIAD a royalty-free, perpetual, non-exclusive, unrestricted, worldwide license to use, copy, sublicense, adapt, transmit, publicly perform or display any such communication.

 

4.2. This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Wisconsin without giving effect to any principles or conflicts of law. If any provision of this agreement shall be unlawful, void, or for any reason unenforceable, then that provision shall be deemed severable from this agreement and shall not affect the validity and enforceability of any remaining provisions.

 

5. RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 

5.1. The rights and responsibilities discussed in this document are designed to ensure fair access for all users. College information technology is intended for the use of the MIAD Community for teaching, learning and administrative college purposes. Any use that is counter to these purposes or that interferes with such use by others is unacceptable. Each person exercising the privilege of using MIAD information technology and network resources accepts certain implied obligations and limitations (such as storage space, bandwidth, time limits, etc.). All persons using MIAD computer resources are solely responsible for their data and its backup.  Members of the MIAD Community may not use information technology in ways that interfere with or demean others or that consume excessive college resources.

 

A. Users of the MIAD Computer Resources may not:

 

1. Restrict or inhibit any other user from using and enjoying the College Collaborative information technology and network resources.

 

2. Through the use of MIAD's Technology resources’ violate MIAD's Code of Conduct as outlined in the MIAD Handbook

 

3. Post or transmit any unlawful, private data (such as credit card or social security data), threatening, abusive, libelous, or defamatory information of any kind, including without limitation any transmissions constituting or encouraging conduct that would violate any local, state, national or international law.

 

4. Knowingly post or transmit any information, software or other material that violates or infringes upon the rights of others-including material that is an invasion of privacy or publicity rights; material that is protected by copyright, trademark, or other proprietary right; or derivative works with respect thereto-without first obtaining permission from the owner or rights holder.

 

5. Knowingly post or transmit any information, software or other material that contains a virus or other harmful component.

 

6. Post, transmit or in any way exploit any information, software or other material for commercial purposes, or material that contains advertising.

 

B. Users of the MIAD E-mail may not:

 

1. Abuse the E-mail or Internet systems through excessive personal use or in violation of the law.

 

2. Send or request delivery of pornography or racially derogatory, discriminating, threatening or abusive communication. Community members should always ensure that the business information contained in E-mail/Internet messages is accurate, appropriate and lawful.

 

3. Send or receive copyrighted materials, proprietary information, or similar materials without prior authorization. The College reserves the right to review, audit, intercept, access and disclose all messages created, received or sent over the E-mail system for any purpose.

 

4. Retrieve or read any E-mail messages that are not sent to them. All messages should be treated as confidential and accessible only by the intended recipient.

 

5.2. Privacy

Each user of MIAD information technology and network resources is entitled to a reasonable expectation of privacy except when the MIAD Administration has probable cause to believe a particular use violates local, state or federal law or when the college has reason to believe that the technology is being used in a threatening, abusive, libelous and inflammatory manner. The Director of Technology (DOT) will screen reported problems and direct them to appropriate existing administrative bodies for resolution.

 

5.3. Academic Freedom of Speech

MIAD establishes its information technology and network resources as "limited public forums." This means that, except as stated below, authorized users may not be censored based upon, or otherwise limited in, the content of data, files, or communication stored, received, or communicated via MIAD information technology and network resources provided such information is related to authorized use as defined herein.

 

5.4. Illegal Speech

Except for Official Information, MIAD exercises no editorial control over the content of information created or published via MIAD information technology and network resources. Except for Official Information, the content of information created or published via MIAD information technology and network resources shall be the sole and exclusive responsibility of the author of such information. Nevertheless, when it is brought to the attention of the Information Technology Department that a user is using MIAD information technology and network resources in violation of this policy or local, state, or federal law, the DOT will screen reported problems and direct them to appropriate existing administrative bodies for resolution.

 

5.5. Intellectual Property Rights

All users must comply with local, state, and federal laws regarding ownership of intellectual property. Although MIAD accepts no responsibility or obligation to regulate, approve or otherwise exercise editorial control over non-official information published via its computer or network resources, the College reserves the right to remove any material from its information technology or network resources when such material is in violation of local, state or federal intellectual property rights. The DOT will screen reported problems and direct them to appropriate existing administrative bodies for resolution.

 

5.6 Bring your own device (BYOD)

The MIAD Community has the privilege to bring their digital devices to use on campus. For BYOD, a "device" is a privately owned by the individual and not by MIAD. The owner is fully responsible, at all times, for the personally owned device brought to campus. MIAD is not liable for any loss/damage/theft of any personally owned devices. The owner is responsible for the condition of the device brought to school, including data/backup, updates, antivirus software, and repairs. Use of such device must adhere to the guidelines addressed in this document. The College reserves the right to extend, limit, restrict or deny privileges and access to its information technology and network resources.

 

6. SPECIFIC PROHIBITIONS

 

6.1. Harassment

No user may use MIAD information technology and network resources to harass any other person. For purposes of this policy, harassment shall include, (1) using the computer and network resources with the intent to annoy, terrify, intimidate, or threaten another person, (2) using the computer and network resources with the intent to repeatedly communicate with another person (except via Mailing List to which the other person voluntarily subscribes) after that person has informed the user to no longer contact him or her, or (3) using the computer and network resources to disrupt or damage official College functions. Harassment is defined by the recipient of behaviors stated above, and should be dealt with according to the procedures outlined in the MIAD Handbook.

 

6.1. Commercial Use

No user may use MIAD information technology and network resources for private commercial gain.

 

6.2. Misrepresentation

No user who creates or maintains a personal web page using MIAD information technology and network resources may represent the information contained therein as official information nor may such user represent that he or she is acting on behalf of MIAD­.

 

6.3. Violations of Copyright

No user may use, publish, copy or store copyrighted material via MIAD information technology and networking resources without the permission of the copyright owner.