2011 - 2012 Student Calendar - Helena College of Technology

Student InformationAcceptable Use of Electronic ResourcesAs an institution of higher education, UM-Helena endeavorsto develop resources and provide services that meet itsstudents’ educational needs. It is within this context that theCollege provides students with access to computers, alongwith access to a wide variety of online material.Students may find some of the material available online tobe inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated; they may find othermaterial sexually explicit or offensive. The University ofMontana - Helena College of Technology does not guide,monitor, or censor students’ computer research. The Collegedoes, however, restrict the use of computers, computer files,or network resources in the following ways:1. Students are prohibited from violating copyrightlaw and from engaging in theft or file theft withregard to College computers.2. Students may not use College computers to violateothers’ privacy, to harass or intimidate others, tosend abusive or patently offensive and unwantedmaterial to others, or to interfere with the work ofothers. As students distribute or make materialavailable to others, they need to be aware of people’ssensitivities toward information or graphics thatmay seem offensive.3. Students may not deliberately crash, or otherwiseimpair workstations or computer systems at theCollege, modify files without authorization, damagefiles, alter data, introduce viruses, penetrate or harmoperating systems, resell bandwidth, or engage inany other illegal acts promulgated from or targetingthe College’s computers.4. Students are prohibited from concealing ormisrepresenting their names or affiliations to maskirresponsible, offensive, or illegal behavior.5. Students are prohibited from sharing their UM-Helena network username and password with otherstudents or family members.Misuse of computer or network resources may constitutetrespass, disruptive behavior, or sexual harassment and willnot be tolerated by UM-Helena. Failure to comply with theseguidelines may result in loss of electronic access, expulsionfrom a course or the College, and/or legal prosecution.Associated Students of UM-Helena (ASUM-Helena)UM-Helena has an active, dynamic, and involved studentorganization called the Associated Students of The Universityof Montana - Helena College of Technology (ASUM-Helena).The goals of ASUM-Helena are to help provide the studentswith a quality educational environment, provide a forumfor student expression, promote the general welfare of thecollege, and establish student activities. ASUM-Helenasponsors social activities throughout the year, includingbarbecues, student contests and competitions, holidayparties, and awareness/fundraising events on behalf ofvarious community service organizations. The organizationalso uses its funds for the promotion of future projects, clubs,and scholarships.ASUM-Helena is comprised of student representatives fromeach academic program and all officially recognized studentorganizations. Representatives are elected by student votein the spring. Student representatives serve as the maincommunication link between ASUM-Helena and the studentbody. Representatives bring student suggestions to theorganization and keep students informed about studentgovernment, school activities, and important campus issues.Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)The College interprets and develops procedures forimplementation of the Family Educational Rights and PrivacyAct (FERPA) of 1974 and Montana Statutes specifically asthey apply to the University of Montana–Helena for affordingstudents certain rights with respect to their educationrecords.Definition of a Student Education RecordEducation records do not include an instructor’s or staff’spersonal notes on a student which are in the sole possessionof the maker, employment records (except work-studyrecords), records created or maintained by a physician,psychiatrist, psychologist, or other recognized professionals,library records, and alumni records.Rights Afforded to Students under FERPAStudents have specific rights concerning their educationrecord:1. The right to inspect and review their education record.2. The right to request amendment of the student’seducation records to ensure they are not inaccurate,misleading, or in violation of the student’s privacy orother rights.3. The right to consent to disclosures of personallyidentifiable information contained in the student’seducation records, except to the extent that FERPAauthorizes disclosures without consent.4. The right to file complaints with the Family PolicyCompliance Office concerning alleged failures of UM-Helena to comply with the requirements of FERPA.Written complaints should be directed to:The Family Policy Compliance OfficeU.S. Department of Education400 Maryland Ave, SWWashington, D.C. 20202-5920Email: ferpa@ed.govDisclosures Made without Student’s ConsentUM-Helena may disclose student information under thefollowing circumstances in accordance with FERPA:• To employees with a legitimate educational interest.Legitimate educational interest is defined as needing therecords to carry out employee responsibilities.• To authorized representatives of the United StatesComptroller General, Attorney General, Secretary ofEducation, or state and local educational authorities.18 2011 - 2012 Academic Catalog UM-Helena College of Technology