Definitions HC is Humber College of Applied Arts and Technology. HCnet is the entire Humber College computer and telecommunications system, including all Humber-owned and Humber-leased computer hardware and software, the campus data and voice networks, the campus Internet and Intranet circuit(s), and all dial-up, other remote-access hardware and software or other computer facilities.
Policy Requirement All users of HCnet must comply with the terms outlined in this Policy, as well as any additional guidelines established by the administrator of the system. By using any of these systems, users agree that they will comply with these policies.
Purpose In support of its mission of teaching and serving the community, Humber College provides access to information technology resources to students, faculty and staff, within institutional policies, priorities and financial capabilities. All members of the Humber College community who use HCnet must do so responsibly. All users of college-owned, college-leased or operated information technology including voice systems, must respect the rights of other users, respect the integrity of physical facilities and controls, and comply with all pertinent licenses and contractual agreements. All users of information technology are bound by applicable local, provincial and federal laws and regulations, and by other Humber policies and procedures.
Acceptable Use It is acceptable to use HCnet:
For purposes relating directly to the learning process.
In the case of employees and contractors, for the performance of necessary job-related tasks.
For reasonable amounts of personal use of e-mail, telephones, voice mail and Internet access providing such activity does not interfere with the person’s job responsibilities or the mission of the college.
Unacceptable Use Examples of unacceptable use are:
For any illegal purposes.
To interfere with or disrupt network users, services, or equipment, either within or outside the College.
To gain unauthorized access to hardware or software resources, either within or outside the college.
For business or political reasons, which are not directly in support of learning or the administration of the college.
To distribute unsolicited advertising unless prior approval is received from the College.
To intentionally transmit, receive or display threatening, obscene, hate, and anonymous or harassing materials.
To propagate computer worms or viruses or other disruptive or destructive constructs.
The foregoing list is illustrative and should not be construed as exhaustive.
Privacy Guidelines All reasonable attempts have been made to ensure the privacy of user accounts and user electronic mail. This is not a guarantee that user accounts or user electronic/voice mail are private. Programs and files (including email/voice mail files) are confidential unless they have been made available, with the owners’ written permission, to other authorized individuals. Humber College reserves the right to access all information stored on HCnet. Files may be released as required by the Courts. File owners will be notified of file access and/or maintenance, in advance, if such notice is practical. When performing maintenance, every effort is made to respect the privacy of a user's files. However, if policy violations are discovered, they will be reported immediately to the appropriate systems administrator for appropriate action.
Enforcement Suspected violations of this policy will be confidentially reported to the appropriate systems administrator and an individual’s computer/telephone privileges may be suspended if warranted.
Violations of these policies will be dealt with in the same manner as violations of other Humber College policies and may result in disciplinary review. In such a review, the full range of disciplinary sanctions is available including the loss of computer/telephone use privileges, dismissal from Humber College, and legal action. Violations of some of the above policies may constitute a criminal offense.
