Electronic Communication and Internet Use

All employees shall sign the following form: Faculty and Staff Computer and Internet Acceptable Use Agreement. A copy will be filed in the employee’s personnel file.

Electronic equipment connected to the State Tech network and College-provided equipment (e.g., laptops, computers) and services, may not be used for transmitting, retrieving, or storing any communications of a defamatory, discriminatory, harassing, or pornographic nature.

The following actions are forbidden: using disparaging, abusive, profane, or offensive language; creating, viewing, or displaying materials that might adversely or negatively reflect upon the College or be contrary to the College’s best interests; and engaging in any illegal activities, including, but not limited to, piracy, cracking, extortion, blackmail, copyright infringement, and unauthorized access of any computers and College-provided equipment.

Employees may not copy, retrieve, modify, or forward copyrighted materials, except with permission or as a single copy to reference only.

Employees must not use the system in a way that disrupts its use by others. Employees should not send or receive large files that could be saved/transferred via thumb drives. Employees are prohibited from sending or receiving files that are not related to work.

Employees should not open suspicious e-mails, pop-ups, or downloads. Contact Information Technology with any questions or concerns to reduce the release of malware or to contain malware immediately.

Internal and external e-mails are considered business records and may be subject to discovery in the event of litigation. Be aware of this possibility when sending e-mail within and outside the College.

Use of the computers and the Internet shall be in accordance with policies of Missouri Research and Education Network (MOREnet) Acceptable Use Policy, Missouri Revised Statutes RSMO-Chapter 569 Section 0569-097 with Computer Equipment and Section 569-099 with Computer Users, and other relevant state and federal laws. All network use by MOREnet members and those connected via a MOREnet site shall be for, or in support of, research, education, local, state, or national government affairs, economic development, or public service. Any MOREnet traffic that crosses onto other networks must conform to the acceptable use policy of those networks.

All College-supplied technology and College-related work records belong to the College and not to the employee. The College may monitor use of College-supplied or network connected technology. Inappropriate or illegal use of communications may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment, prosecution, and/or civil action.

Social Media – Acceptable Use. Below are guidelines for social media use.

Employees may not post financial, confidential, sensitive, or proprietary information about the College, employees, clients, students, or applicants.

Employees may not post obscenities, slurs, or personal attacks that can damage the reputation of the College, employees, clients, students, or applicants.

When posting on social media sites, employees must use the following disclaimer when discussing job-related matters: “The opinions expressed on this site are my own and do not necessarily represent the views of State Technical College of Missouri.”

The College may monitor content out on the Internet. Policy violations may result in discipline up to and including termination of employment.

LINE OF AUTHORITY

Responsible administrator or office: IT

Contact person in that office: Director of IT

EFFECTIVE DATE: August 16, 2023

Approved by President: August 16, 2023