COMPUTER POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
(EXCERPTS FROM THE STUDENT HANDBOOK)
CONDUCT RULES AND REGULATIONS:
Any student found to have committed the following misconduct, not limited to but including all university rules and regulations promulgated by the university, is subject to the disciplinary sanctions of the university including:
THEFT OR ABUSE
(16. Theft or other abuse of computer time, including but not limited to)
a. Unauthorized entry into any file, to use, read, or change the contents, or for any other purpose.
b. Unauthorized transfer of any file.
c. Unauthorized use of another individual’s identification, password or computer privileges.
d. Use of computer facilities to interfere with the work of another student, faculty member or university official.
e. Use of computer facilities to send obscene, abusive or inappropriate messages.
f. Use of computer facilities to interfere with normal operation of the university computer system.
BULLETIN BOARD ONLINE
The Bulletin Board Online is a Web site where one may buy or sell personal items such as computers, calculators, books, etc. It can also be used to advertise for rides or riders. Go to www.byui.edu/bulletinboard or select Bulletin Board through my.byui.edu.
COMPUTER ACCESS
Over 400 computers are provided for student use in the McKay Library. Word processing, campus e-mail, online reference tools, research-oriented Internet access and print service (black & white and color) are available. Technical and research assistance is offered at all locations in the library with advanced technical assistance offered at the help desk. Hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. There are also computer labs in various buildings across campus. Computers for recreational Web browsing can be found on the first floor of the Manwaring Center behind the game room.
COMPUTER CRIME
Computer crime is a criminal offense. Students who knowingly and without permission access or attempt to access any campus computer, computer system or computer program without prior authorization are committing computer fraud. Individuals may be charged with a misdemeanor or felony, may lose their campus computer access and e-mail privileges, and/or be subject to disciplinary action, including separation from the university.
COMPUTER INTERNET ACCESS
All students are expected to use filtered Internet access services. Information accessed over the Internet should be in compliance with the Honor Code. Students who attempt to access or access pornographic Web sites or other Web sites deemed inappropriate are subject to disciplinary sanctions including suspension. See Computer Pornography. See also Television, Video Tapes, Music, Posters and Internet
COMPUTER PORNOGRAPHY
University computers and computer networks are intended for uplifting and righteous activities only. All university owned computers or computers that are connected to any university network may be monitored for appropriate use. Individuals who use any university computer equipment for any purpose that is not in keeping with the Honor Code, including sharing transmitting, accessing, viewing, or reading pornography, will be subject to disciplinary action.
Likewise, the accessing of pornographic sites from non-university owned property or equipment may result in similar disciplinary action being taken. Individuals who purchase, receive, subscribe to, or possess or provide pornographic materials for others may be subject to disciplinary action including separation from the university.
COPYRIGHT – DIGITAL MILLENNIAL COPYRIGHT ACT
The DMCA covers copyright violations related to copying materials in digital format including audio and video recordings, music, internet transmissions, computer programs and databases and create potential legal liability for the university and the individuals involved. The use of university owned computers, databases, servers, the BYU–Idaho web site or intranet for the distribution, sharing, viewing or transmission of copyrighted materials without permission is prohibited and may result in loss of their campus computer access and e-mail privileges and/or be subject to disciplinary action, including separation from the university.
Each currently enrolled student is provided a free campus e-mail account and may access messages through the web at my.byui.edu. Students agree to not share their password, not send chain mail or any inappropriate material-including messages of a harassing or salacious nature, not to use their account for commercial purposes, and to keep all e-mail within the Honor Code. Official university messages to all employees and students will be sent through BYU–Idaho e-mail. BYU–Idaho employees and students should regularly check their e-mail accounts for official information. This policy is to assure that important BYU–Idaho messages are communicated in a timely and consistent manner. The BYU–Idaho gray branding bar will distinguish official and executive campus e-mail from all others. All employee and all student e-mails are first sent to University Communications within Public Relations. The messages are viewed for conduct and appropriateness before being sent campus wide. Official BYU–Idaho e-mail will be sent within one of the following categories:
A. Daily Update: A daily all-employee publication of general news and information assembled in one e-mail and sent at 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday.
B. Student Update:
Three student updates are sent weekly as follows:
- Student Associations & Societies; sent Monday at 4:40 p.m. (Focuses on Association and Society messages)
- Student Activities update; sent Tuesday at 4:40 p.m. (Focuses on Student Activities Program)
- Student Update; sent Wednesday at 4:40 p.m. (General information for students) The BYU–Idaho brand (gray bar) will banner the Student Update.
C. Emergency
Emergency messages are expeditiously sent alone, separate from the Updates. These include messages from the President or President’s Council, Physical Plant, weather warnings, disasters and catastrophes, and evacuation notices.
GAMES
Video games, computer games, board games and other similar forms of entertainment that are not in harmony with the principles of the gospel are inappropriate. Individuals should not make use of or participate in these types of activities if they do not serve an educational or uplifting purpose.
GRADE REPORTS
After eight weeks of classes, mid-term grades will be available on the Student Access System computers in front of the Registrar’s Office and on the Internet. Final grades are available on the Student Access System, on the Internet, or through the touch-tone registration system by calling 496-1006. Final and mid-term grades will be sent to parents of dependent students and to students’ faculty advisors.
INTERNET ROOM
Manwaring Center Internet, located on the first floor, has computer access for students. There is a minimum charge for computer use.
LIBRARY
The David O. McKay Library is available for study as well as for checkout of books, CDs, tapes, videos and any necessary equipment for viewing or listening of these materials. The library also provides many services to students of BYU–Idaho, including personal computers. The library is open from 7 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The library is closed Sunday (although the Family History Center is open from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.), holidays and every Tuesday at 2 p.m. during devotionals. Students can become familiar with the services available in the McKay Library by visiting with the library staff or by accessing the library’s Web page at www.lib.byui.edu. There is also a library computer lab orientation at www.byui.edu/precampus/orientation/default.htm. For more information call 496-2367.
PATHWAY PRE-CAMPUS ORIENTATION
Pathway is an Internet course offered to all incoming students to better prepare them for a BYU–Idaho learning experience. Students can receive one credit for successfully completing the course and during a transition period, fulfill the online learning requirement needed for graduation from BYU–Idaho. The course is located at www.byui.edu/precampus.
PLAGIARISM
Academic dishonesty is defined by BYU–Idaho as an unacceptable act by any student, such as plagiarism or falsifying documents that would give a student an advantage in admission, grading, graduating from the university, or qualifying for entrance into any academic program.
Academic dishonesty and plagiarism undermine the foundation of a gospel centered educational experience. Honesty in test taking and writing assignments should be a fundamental commitment of each student. Every member of the campus community should be united in their effort as a community to help one another maintain their commitment and maintain their personal integrity without fail.
Plagiarism is defined as not documenting or attributing the unacknowledged appropriation of material which is not the student’s original work. It can consist of material taken from the text of a book, or an electronic publication, the internet, or a fellow student’s work. Refer to the BYU–Idaho Catalog under Academic Honesty for information regarding possible penalties.
PORNOGRAPHY
Pornography is extremely debilitating and addictive. Curious exploration of pornography on the Internet or through other means can become a controlling habit leading to coarser material and sexual transgression. If continually viewed, your spirit will become desensitized, and your conscience will erode. Much harm comes from reading or viewing pornography. Individuals who use the Internet to share, transmit, access, view, or read pornography may lose their campus computer access and e-mail privileges and/or be subject to disciplinary action, including separation from the university.
STUDENT TECHNOLOGY CENTER
The Student Technology Center (STC), located in room 360 A (inside the Media Lab) of the McKay Library, is a student computer lab where you can scan and retouch photos, create graphics for charts or signs, do color printing and video editing, etc.
TELEVISION, VIDEO TAPES, MUSIC, POSTERS AND INTERNET
In keeping with the ideals of BYU–Idaho and the spirit of the Honor Code, “R,” “NC-17” and “X” rated viewing is not allowed. In addition, posters, Internet access, music, television or “any form of entertainment, including inappropriate or suggestive dancing, concerts, movies and videocassettes, which are vulgar, immoral, inappropriate, suggestive or pornographic in any way,” no matter what the rating, violates the spirit of the Honor Code and is not acceptable (see For the Strength of Youth pamphlet, page 17-23). Off-campus apartment units which provide cable or satellite television service to their tenants are expected, as a condition of their BYU–Idaho approval, to exercise their option as subscribers and not provide any channels or services which bring “R” “NC-17”, or “X” rated viewing into the homes of BYU–Idaho students. Most premium movie channels are considered inappropriate. Those that often come with basic service and must be filtered out currently include MTV and VH-1. Special events, such as major sports contests, which do not violate the Honor Code, may be procured through pay-per-view channels after the cable or satellite distributor clears that event in advance with the Dean of Students Office.
The expectation of students who subscribe to cable service or Internet on their own is the same. Students in all housing units are expected to use filtered Internet access services. Students are expected to refrain from subscribing to or viewing any media that compromise their commitment to the BYU–Idaho Honor Code.
WEB ACCESS
Log on to my.byui.edu to get announcements of special interest to students plus access to your essential administrative items such as e-mail account, account balances, financial aid, payroll, registration notices, student insurance, I-card balances, university ward, advisor, and even a list of library books you have checked out. You can also customize your events calendar, check class schedules, access files you have created and stored on the campus system, go to secure links on the BYU–Idaho system, or compile your own list of favorite Web links. The message center at my.byui.edu allows administrators to send you personal secure notifications. Type in the address or go to the first link on the “Student” dropdown menu at the top of the BYU–Idaho home page.
