Computer and Internet Use Regulations

Hinds Community College provides computer and Internet access to HCC students, administration, faculty and staff. The College's regulations on Computer and Internet Use include, but are not limited to:

• Usage of the Internet must be in support of education and research and consistent with the educational objectives of HCC. Transmission of any materials in violation of any U.S. or state regulation is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to: copyrighted materials or threatening or obscene material. Use for commercial activities by for-profit institutions is not acceptable. Use for product advertisement or political lobbying or activity is also prohibited.
• The use of the computers and the Internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of that privilege. The system administrators will deem what is inappropriate use and their decision is final. Also, the system administrators may close access at any time as required. The administration, faculty, and staff of HCC may request the system administrators to deny, revoke, or suspend specific user access and the student will be charged with disciplinary action. Non-students will be referred to the proper authority.
• Do not attempt to access another user's communications such as electronic mail (e-mail). Do not make any changes, deletions, copies, or read another user's files or software. Such action is classified as vandalism and will result in cancellation of privileges. Do not create, run, or install any programs, which can damage a file or computer system. In order to protect the equipment at HCC from a transmitted virus, personal disks are not allowed to be used to download or upload information.
• If a security problem is identified on the Internet, the system administrators must be notified. Do not use another individual's account. Attempts to log in as a system administrator will result in cancellation of user privileges and disciplinary action. Any user identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer systems may be denied access to the Internet through the College.
• Do not use any HCC equipment or resources for activities that are sexually offensive, abusive, profane, or for that which infringes upon the rights of another person. HCC equipment is not to be used to send harassing messages such as those which are religiously, sexually, or racially offensive.

You are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Be polite. Do not become abusive in your messages to others.
2. Use appropriate language. Do not swear, use vulgarities or any other inappropriate language. Illegal activities are strictly forbidden.
3. Do not reveal the personal addresses or phone numbers of students or colleagues, without their permission.
4. Note that electronic mail (e-mail) is not guaranteed to be private. People who operate the system do have access to all mail. Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities may be reported to the authorities.
5. Do not use the network in such a way that you would disrupt the use of the network by others.
6. Recreational time (non-instructional and non-work related activities) must be limited. A recreational user is expected to give up his/her seat when another user needs the network for class and/or work use.
7. All communication and information accessible via the network should be assumed to be private property.

Hinds Community College and its employees make no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service provided. HCC and its employees will not be responsible for any damages you suffer, which includes loss of data resulting from delays, nondeliveries, misdeliveries, or service interruptions caused by its own negligence or your errors or omissions. Use of any information obtained via HCC is at your own risk. HCC and its employees deny any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through Internet services.