2013-14 Guide for Academics and Student Life - Tampa Preparatory ...

TECHNOLOGY POLICIESin compliance with the Honor Code. Violations of the followingguidelines may result in the revocation of access privilegesand possible disciplinary responses, including expulsion forserious offenses.Internet Access: Tampa Preparatory School providesboth wired and wireless connectivity for both faculty andstudents. Students are allowed to use personal digitalcommunication devices between classes and in the classroomat the classroom instructor’s discretion. While the Schoolprovides best effort Internet content filtering on both thewired and wireless connections, in order to allow accessto certain educational resources, students may be able tobypass these filters. Users of the Tampa Preparatory Schoolnetwork are expected to act as responsible digital citizensand conduct themselves in compliance with the School HonorCode. Furthermore, accessing or passing on any material thatis pornographic, violent in nature, or otherwise harassing istotally unacceptable and will be dealt with immediately by theappropriate administrator. Students are expected to abide bythe same policy whether using personal or School-provideddevices and whether on a cellular or School-provided network.In addition, the creation or utilization of personal Wi-FiHotspots while on campus is strictly forbidden. (Revised 7-13)Internet Safety: Students should never give out personalinformation (address, telephone number, name of School,address of School, date of birth, Social Security Number, creditcard number, etc.) over the Internet. Students also should notmeet with someone that they have contacted on-line withoutprior parental approval. Safety is the responsibility of theparent and student. The School is not liable in any way forirresponsible acts on the part of the student.Pirated Software: The term “pirated software” refersto the use and transfer of stolen software. Commercialsoftware is copyrighted, and each purchaser must abide bythe licensing agreement published with the software. Thereis no justification for the use of illegally obtained software.The School will not, in any way, be held responsible for astudent’s own software brought to School for personal use.In addition, usage of peer-to-peer file sharing software or bittorrent trackers while on campus is prohibited.Network Access/Passwords: Accessing the accounts andfiles of others is prohibited. Attempting to impair the networkor to bypass restrictions set by the network administratoris prohibited. Obtaining another’s password or rights toanother’s directory or email on the network is a violation ofSchool rules as well as a form of theft. Taking advantage of astudent who inadvertently leaves a computer without loggingout is not appropriate. Using someone else’s password orposting a message using another’s log-in name is a form ofdishonesty, just as is plagiarism or lying, and will be treatedas an Honor Code violation. Guard your password, you willbe responsible for any activity done on the School’s systemunder your password.School’s Right To Inspect: The School reserves the right toinspect user directories for inappropriate files and to removethem if found and to take other appropriate action if deemednecessary, including notification of parents. The School alsoreserves the right to inspect any personal electronic devicesbrought onto campus. Do not assume that any messages ormaterials on your computer or the School’s systems areprivate.Email, Chat Rooms, Instant Messaging, and SocialNetworking Sites: Email cannot be used to harass or threatenothers. The School reserves the right to randomly check emailor text messages. Email messages must not include personalattacks and should follow the normal rules of appropriatepublic language. They should not contain any language orcontent, which the author would not be willing to share fromthe podium at a School meeting.While the School does not actively pursue or routinely viewpersonal social networking sites, when objectionable ordisrespectful material is brought to the attention of theschool or school personnel or experiences are placed on asite, the School reserves the right to examine the content andaddress the conduct if it creates a hostile or disrespectfulenvironment. Any person who believes that they havebeen harassed or threatened by any of these methods ofcommunications should immediately report the concern inaccordance with the School’s No Harassment/No Bullyingpolicy.Students should not be “friends” with any faculty memberon any of these social networking sites. Any violation ofthis prohibition must be reported to the Administrationimmediately. Postings on social networking or other Internetsites of students engaging in inappropriate behavior (suchas drinking, smoking, sexual actions, etc.) is prohibited.Students are expected to cooperate in investigations byproviding access to such sites.Viruses: Every effort is made by the School to keep oursystem virus-free. Even with the best techniques, however,computer viruses can be transmitted to and from anycomputer, including those in the computer center. The Schoolis not responsible for the transmission of any virus or fordamage suffered from a virus.Computer Care: Members of the School community willnot abuse, tamper with, or willfully damage any computerequipment, use the computer for other than appropriatework, or bring food or drink into any computer area. Anyintentional acts of vandalism will result in discipline andstudents will be held responsible for replacement or repairs.Reporting Requirements/Discipline: Any student whoaccesses inappropriate material on the Internet, receivesharassing, threatening, or inappropriate materials via email,cell phone or on the Internet, must immediately report theconcern to the teacher who is supervising the activity or toGUIDE FOR ACADEMICS AND STUDENT LIFE | 39