SSNT Policies and Procedures

Acceptable Use of the Internet/Intranet, Email and Computer Resources : Guidelines for Students

These guidelines, in conjunction with the Internet/Intranet and Email Policy are designed to provide students with a clear understanding of the procedures and behaviours that support appropriate use of information and communication technologies at The Southern School of Natural Therapies. Contacting the Librarian can provide further information or clarification.

Student Responsibilities:

• Students are permitted to use the school technologies provided they have read these Guidelines together with the Internet/Intranet and Email Policy and signed and returned to the school library, the Internet/Intranet, Email and Computer Resources Agreement Form for Students.
• Email storage areas are limited and students are expected to conduct regular management and delete unnecessary Email to conserve space.
• Problems regarding security or hardware/software functions should be brought to the immediate attention of the Librarian.
• Students must not save their work on to the school computers; they should save them to a portable format eg. floppy disk, zip disk or in the case of eMacs, CD ROM.

The Librarian monitors computer resource activity to maintain system integrity and, where approved by the Principal, may need to examine Email messages and internet traffic.

Unacceptable Behaviours:

Specifically, the following behaviours are not permitted or tolerated:

1. Sharing confidential information about students or staff members.
2. Accessing, storing, publishing, mailing, displaying messages or material that is sexist, racist, abusive, rude, annoying, insulting, harassing, threatening, obscene. Gossip or derogatory personal comments are not acceptable or permitted.
3. Engaging in practices that threaten the school’s technology (eg. loading files known to contain a virus or physically abusing the hardware).
4. Attempting to load software onto a PC or eMac.
5. Copying and using files from other users without their permission.
6. Disclosing your password, or using others passwords.
7. Employing the school’s technologies for commercial purposes, product advertising or political lobbying.
8. Using the school’s resources to engage in activities that may bring dishonour/discredit to themselves and/or the school.
9. Violating regulations prescribed by the network provider, eg. Telstra.

Consequences for breaching these guidelines are outlined below, under Sanctions.

Email Guidelines:

The school technologies are provided for staff and students to conduct research and to communicate with each other on study related matters.

Communications over the school computer technologies are often public in nature and therefore the general rules and standard for courtesy and conduct will apply.

Students should note that :

• Email messages can be easily misconstrued and that email is neither private nor secret. Emails may sometimes be directed accidentally to a destination other than the one intended. Emails generated at the school are considered school property, and as such, are not considered private. The sender of the Emails will be held responsible for its content.
• Mass mailing, chain letters etc. are prohibited as they clog the email network, reduce productivity and may add an unnecessary cost to the school.
• For security reasons, and to free up server space, students should print and file important messages and delete unnecessary messages.

Email message etiquette:

• All emails should follow normal standards of courtesy
• Formal emails should follow the standards used for letter writing, especially when addressed to persons and organizations outside the school. This includes polite expression, suitable vocabulary and grammar.
• Users should avoid using all upper case as this can be interpreted as shouting.

Sanctions :

Breaches if the Internet and Email Policy and the Acceptable Use Guidelines will result in one or more of the following:

• Withdrawal of privileges – closure of email account for a period of time.
• Referral to law enforcement agencies.

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