Acceptable Use Policy

Internet Terms, Conditions, And Regulations

It is the policy of Our Mother of Mercy Catholic School to require the ethical use of the Internet and related technologies by all employees, volunteers, and students as set forth below. Access privileges may be revoked, school disciplinary action may be taken, and/or appropriate legal action taken for any violations that are unethical and may constitute a criminal offense.

1. Acceptable Use - The use of Internet and related technologies must be in support of education and research and consistent with the educational (religious) objectives of OMM. (Electronic communications to and from OMM should reflect the Christian principles and educational goals of the school.) Use of other organizations' networks or computing resources must comply with the rules appropriate for these networks.

2. Unacceptable Use - Transmission of any material in violation of any U. S. or state regulation is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to: copyrighted material, threatening, violent, or obscene material, or material protected by trade secret. Use for commercial activities is not acceptable. Use for product advertisement, political lobbying, game playing, unauthorized "chat", or chain letter communication is also prohibited. Other examples of unacceptable information are pornography, information on bombs, inappropriate language and communications, flame letters, etc. Acts of vandalism are prohibited. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another user or to damage hardware or software. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses. Unauthorized use of another's computer, access accounts, and/or files is prohibited.

3. Privileges - The use of the Internet and related technologies is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in cancellation of those privileges. Each user who is provided access to the Internet and related technologies will participate in a training session with assigned staff person(s) concerning the proper use of the network. The faculty, staff, or parent/guardian may request the administrator or designee to deny, revoke, or suspend a specific user's access to the Internet and related technologies due to unacceptable use.

4. Copyright - It is the policy of OMM that all employees, volunteers, and students will abide by the federal copyright laws. Employees, volunteers, and students may copy print or no-print materials allowed by:

a. Copyright law

b. Fair use guidelines

c. Specific licenses or contractual agreements

d. Other types of permission

Employees, volunteers, and students who willfully disregard copyright law are in violation of the OMM policy, doing so at their own risk and assuming all liability.

5. Other

a. Security problems must be promptly reported to the supervising adult. Users will notify the supervisor immediately if any individual is trying to contact him/her for illicit or suspicious activities.

b. Users shall not reveal their personal home address, phone number, or personal information about anyone else. Users' personal identifier on any e-mail must use the school address only.

c. No software of any kind may be brought from home for use in any school computer. All school software must be properly purchased or donated, including licenses.

d. Network accounts are to be used only by the authorized owner of the account for the authorized purpose.

e. Users shall not intentionally seek information on, obtain copies of, or modify files, other data, or passwords belonging to other users, or misrepresent other users on the network.

f. Malicious use of the network to develop programs that harass other users or infiltrate a computer or computing system and/or damage software components of a computer or computing system is prohibited.

g. Prior approval for Listservs is required for student.