Please review and sign at the end
INTRODUCTION
The E3 Robotics Center (E3RC) recognizes that access to technology gives students greater opportunities to learn, engage, communicate, and develop skills that will prepare them for work, life, and citizenship. We are committed to helping students develop 21st century technology and communication skills. To that end, we provide the privilege of access to technologies for student, volunteer and staff use. This Acceptable Use Policy outlines the guidelines and behaviors that all users are expected to follow when using school technologies or when using personally-owned devices on the school campus, including:
A. The E3RC network is intended for educational purposes only and is not a public access service or public forum.
B. All activity over the network or using E3RC technologies may be monitored and retained.
C. Access to online content via the network may be restricted in accordance with our policies and Federal regulations, such as the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA).
D. Students, volunteers and staff are expected to follow the same rules for good behavior and respectful conduct online as offline.
E. Misuse of school resources can result in disciplinary action.
F. E3RC makes a reasonable effort to ensure students' and staff safety and security online but will not be held accountable for any harm or damages that result from use of school technologies.
G. Users of E3RC network or other technologies are expected to alert IT staff immediately of any concerns for safety or security.
TECHNOLOGIES COVERED
E3RC may provide the privilege of Internet access, desktop computers, mobile computers or devices, video conferencing capabilities, online collaboration capabilities, message boards, email, and more. This Acceptable Use Policy applies to both Center-owned technology equipment utilizing the E3RC network, the E3RC Internet connection, and/or private networks/Internet connections accessed from center-owned devices at any time. This Acceptable Use Policy also applies to privately-owned devices accessing the E3RC network, the E3RC Internet connection, and/or private networks/Internet connections while on center property. As new technologies emerge, E3RC may provide access to them. The policies outlined in this document cover available technologies now and into the future, not just those specifically listed or currently available.
USAGE POLICIES
All technologies provided E3RC are intended for educational purposes. All users are expected to use good judgment and to follow the specifics as well as the spirit of this document: be safe, appropriate, careful and kind; don't try to get around technological protection measures; use good common sense; and ask if you don't know.
WEB ACCESS
E3RC provides its users the privilege of access to the Internet, including web sites, resources, content, and online tools. Access to the Internet will be restricted as required to comply with CIPA regulations and school policies. Web browsing may be monitored, and web activity records may be retained indefinitely. All users must utilize the E3RC internet for web browsing while at the center. Personal mobile hotspots and ‘tethering’ are not permitted while users are at E3RC. Users are expected to respect the web filter as a safety precaution and shall not attempt to circumvent the web filter when browsing the Internet. The determination of whether material is appropriate or inappropriate is based solely on the content of the material and the intended use of the material, not on whether a website has been blocked or not. If a user believes a site is unnecessarily blocked, the user should submit a request for website review through the E3RC Staff.
WEB PAGES
E3RC authorizes the creation of websites by third parties, staff, and students for the purpose of educating, informing, and communicating. Websites created by students must be prepared under the supervision of a staff person. Any hosted site or service which requires a student login or other credentials must meet FERPA guidelines. If you are unsure whether a site is FERPA-compliant, please contact E3RC Staff. Under no circumstances is a website to be created for commercial purposes, political lobbying or personal financial gain of a student or staff person. Staff members shall not require students to connect to the staff person’s non-E3RC webpages to complete the work of any class.
EMAIL
E3RC may provide users with the privilege of email accounts for the purpose of center-related communication. Availability and use may be restricted based on center policies. Center sponsored clubs and organizations are required to utilize a E3RC email account. If users are provided with email accounts, the account(s) should be used with care. Users should not send personal information; should not attempt to open files or follow links from unknown or untrusted origins; should use appropriate language; and should only communicate with other people as allowed by E3RC policy or staff member. Users are expected to communicate with the same appropriate, safe, mindful, courteous conduct online as offline. Email usage may be monitored and archived.
SOCIAL/WEB 2.0/COLLABORATIVE CONTENT
Recognizing the benefits collaboration brings to education, E3RC may provide users with access to web sites or tools that allow communication, collaboration, sharing, and messaging among users. Users are expected to communicate with the same appropriate, safe, mindful, courteous conduct online as offline. Posts, chats, sharing, and messaging may be monitored. Users should be careful not to share personally identifying information online. E3RC Currently uses SLACK as it’s primary platform. eSports uses an E3RC run Discord Server
MOBILE DEVICES POLICY
E3RC may provide users with mobile computers or other devices to promote learning outside of the classroom. A E3RC or grant-funded mobile device’s primary function is for classroom and educational purposes. Users shall abide by the same acceptable use policies when using school devices off the E3RC network as on the E3RC network. Users are expected to treat these devices with extreme care and caution; these are expensive devices that the school is entrusting to your care. Users shall immediately report any loss, damage, or malfunction to IT staff. Users may be financially accountable for any damage resulting from negligence or misuse. Use of school-issued mobile devices off the E3RC network may be monitored.
PERSONALLY-OWNED DEVICES POLICY
Students should keep personally-owned devices (including laptops, tablets, smart phones, and cell phones) turned off and put away during team hours - unless in the event of an emergency or as specifically instructed and permitted by a coach or staff. Personally-owned staff or student mobile devices, including printers, wireless access points, storage devices, physical or virtual servers, and similar equipment, shall not be connected to the E3RC network without express permission from IT staff. In some cases, a separate network may be provided for personally-owned devices. Please remember, this Acceptable Use Policy applies to privately-owned devices accessing the E3RC network, the E3RC Internet connection, and private networks/Internet connections while on school property.
SECURITY
Users are expected to take reasonable safeguards against the transmission of security threats over the E3RC network. This includes not opening or distributing infected files or programs and not opening files or programs of unknown or untrusted origin. If you believe a computer or mobile device you are using might be infected with a virus, please alert the E3RC Technology Department. Do not attempt to remove the virus yourself or download any programs to help remove the virus.
Users may not post or share their username/password information. Copyrighted materials from software or content publishers shall not be posted on webpages without express written consent from the publisher.
Students may not use a computer that has been designated as a staff PC without extremely close supervision. Use should be restricted to class presentations. All users are expected to lock their PC’s when not in use. Never attempt to use a PC which has been logged in under another user’s account.
All files with personal student information shall be stored on E3RC storage.
DOWNLOADS
Users should not download or attempt to download or run .exe programs over the E3RC network or onto school resources without express permission from IT staff. You may be able to download other file types, such as images or videos. For the security of our network, download such files only from reputable sites, and only for education purposes.
NETIQUETTE
Users should always use the Internet, network resources, and online sites in a courteous and respectful manner. Users should recognize that among the valuable content online there is also unverified, incorrect, or inappropriate content. Users should only use trusted sources when conducting research via the Internet. Users should remember not to post anything online that they wouldn't want students, parents, teachers, or future colleges or employers to see. Once something is online, it's out there - and can sometimes be shared and spread in ways you never intended.
PLAGIARISM
Users should not plagiarize (or use as their own, without citing the original creator) content, including words or images, from the Internet. Users should not take credit for things they didn't create themselves or misrepresent themselves as an author or creator of something found online. Research conducted via the Internet should be appropriately cited, giving credit to the original author.
PERSONAL SAFETY
Users should never share personal information, including phone number, address, social security number, birthday, or financial information, over the Internet without adult permission. Users should recognize that communicating over the Internet brings anonymity and associated risks and should
carefully safeguard the personal information of themselves and others. Users should never agree to meet in real life someone they meet online without parental permission. If you see a message, comment, image, or anything else online that makes you concerned for your personal safety, bring it to the attention of an adult (coach or staff if you're at school; parent if you're using the device at home) immediately.
CYBERBULLYING
Cyberbullying will not be tolerated. Harassing, dissing, flaming, denigrating, impersonating, outing, tricking, excluding, and cyberstalking are all examples of cyberbullying. Don't be mean. Don't send emails or post comments with the intent of scaring, hurting, or intimidating someone else. Engaging in these behaviors, or any online activities intended to harm (physically or emotionally) another person, will result in severe disciplinary action and loss of privileges. In some cases, cyberbullying can be a crime. Remember that your activities are monitored and retained.
SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY
E3RC has a separate Social Media Policy that applies to all staff and may have implications for students. By signing the Acceptable Use Policy users are acknowledging they have been made aware of the Social Media Policy and agree to abide with the requirements of the Social Media Policy. Violations ofthe Social Media Policy are in effect violations of the Acceptable Use Policy.
EXAMPLES OF ACCEPTABLE USE
I will:
• Use center technologies for center-related activities.
• Follow the same guidelines for respectful, responsible behavior online that I am expected to follow offline.
• Treat E3RC resources carefully, and alert staff if there is any problem with their operation. • Encourage positive, constructive discussion if allowed to use communicative or collaborative technologies.
• Alert a mentor or staff member if I see threatening, inappropriate, or harmful contact (images, messages, posts, etc.) online.
• Use E3RC technologies at appropriate times, in approved places, for educational pursuits. • Cite sources when using online sites and resources for research.
• Recognize that use of E3RC technologies is a privilege and treat it as such.
• Be cautious to protect the safety of myself and others.
• Help to protect the security of E3RC resources.
This is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Users should use their own good judgment when using E3RC technologies.
EXAMPLES OF UNACCEPTABLE USE
I will not:
• Use E3 technologies in a way that could be personally or physically harmful. • Attempt to find inappropriate images or content; intent to seek inappropriate images or content is a violation of this Acceptable Use Policy.
• Create a personal mobile “hot-spot” or utilize a “proxy site” for the purpose of circumventing network safety measures and filtering tools.
• Create, distribute, or deploy multi-user servers or gaming software on or within the E3RC network.
• Engage in cyberbullying, harassment, or disrespectful conduct toward others. • Try to find ways to circumvent the E3RC’s safety measures and filtering tools; intent to circumvent safety measures and filtering tools is a violation of this Acceptable Use Policy. • Use E3RC technologies to send spam or chain mail.
• Plagiarize content I find online.
• Post or otherwise disclose personal-identifying information about myself or others. • Agree to meet someone I meet online in real life.
• Use language online that would be unacceptable in the center.
• Use E3 technologies for illegal activities or to pursue information on such activities. • Attempt to hack or access sites, servers, or content that isn’t intended for my use.
This is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Users should use their own good judgment when using school technologies.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
E3RC will not be responsible for damage or harm to persons, files, data, or hardware. While E3RC employs filtering and other safety and security mechanisms, and attempts to ensure their proper function, it makes no guarantees as to their effectiveness.
E3RC will not be responsible, financially or otherwise, for unauthorized transactions conducted over the E3RC network.
VIOLATIONS OF THIS ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY
Violations of this policy may have disciplinary repercussions, including:
A. Suspension of network, technology, or computer privileges;
B. Notification to parents;
C. Detention or suspension from programs and E3RC-related activities;
D. Employment disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment; E. Legal action and/or prosecution.
This AUP may be periodically revised and updated. As alterations are made, all users will be required to acknowledge and accept the new AUP prior to being permitted access to the E3RC network.
Student and Parent agreement to AUP is part of the E3RC Parent Signature Page.
P.L. 106-554 (2000), Children's Internet Protection Act
47 U.S.C. 254(h), (1), Communications Act of 1934, as amended (2003)
18 U.S.C. 1460
18 U.S.C. 2246
18 U.S.C. 2256
20 U.S.C. 6801 et seq., Part F, Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (2003)
20 U.S.C. 6777, 9134 (2003)
76 F.R. 56295, 56303
15 U.S.C. 6501 et seq., Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act
34 C.F.R. Part 99, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
47 C.F. 54.520, Children’s Internet Protection Act
Social Media Policy
At E3RC, we understand that social media can be a fun and rewarding way to share your life and opinions with family, friends and co-workers around the world. However, use of social media also presents certain risks and carries with it certain responsibilities. To assist you in making responsible decisions about your use of social media, we have established these guidelines for appropriate use of social media.
This policy applies to all associates who work for E3RC, Coaches, Board members, Mentors, and students.
Guidelines
In the rapidly expanding world of electronic communication, social media can mean many things. Social media includes all means of communicating or posting information or content of any sort on the Internet, including to your own or someone else’s web log or blog, journal or diary, personal web site, social networking or affinity web site, web bulletin board or a chat room, whether or not associated or affiliated with E3RC, as well as any other form of electronic communication.
The same principles and guidelines found in E3RC policies and core values apply to your activities online. Ultimately, you are solely responsible for what you post online. Before creating online content, consider some of the risks and rewards that are involved. Keep in mind that any of your conduct that adversely affects your job performance, the performance of fellow associates or otherwise adversely affects members, customers, suppliers, people who work on behalf of E3RC or E3RC’s legitimate business interests may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.
Know and follow the rules
Carefully read these guidelines and ensure your postings are consistent with all E3RC policies. Inappropriate postings that may include discriminatory remarks, harassment, and threats of violence or similar inappropriate or unlawful conduct will not be tolerated and may subject you to disciplinary action up to and including termination.
Be respectful
Always be fair and courteous to fellow associates, customers, members, suppliers or people who work on behalf of E3RC. Also, keep in mind that you are more likely to resolved work related complaints by speaking directly with your co-workers or by utilizing our Open-Door Policy than by posting complaints to a social media outlet. Nevertheless, if you decide to post complaints or criticism, avoid using statements, photographs, video or audio that reasonably could be viewed as malicious, obscene, threatening or intimidating, that disparage customers, members, associates or suppliers, or that might constitute harassment or bullying. Examples of such conduct might include offensive posts meant to intentionally harm someone’s reputation or posts that could contribute to a hostile work environment on the basis of race, sex, disability, religion or any other status protected by law or company policy.
Be honest and accurate
Make sure you are always honest and accurate when posting information or news, and if you make a mistake, correct it quickly. Be open about any previous posts you have altered. Remember that the Internet archives almost everything; therefore, even deleted postings can be searched. Never post any information or rumors that you know to be false about E3RC, fellow associates, members, customers, suppliers, people working on behalf of E3RC or competitors.
Post only appropriate and respectful content
• Maintain the confidentiality of E3RC trade secrets and private or confidential information. Trades secrets may include information regarding the development of systems, processes, products, know-how and technology. Do not post internal reports, policies, procedures or other internal business-related confidential communications.
• Respect financial disclosure laws. It is illegal to communicate or give a “tip” on inside information to others so that they may buy or sell stocks or securities. Such online conduct may also violate the Insider Trading Policy.
• Do not create a link from your blog, website or other social networking site to a E3RC website without identifying yourself as a E3RC associate.
• Express only your personal opinions. Never represent yourself as a spokesperson for E3RC. If E3RC is a subject of the content you are creating, be clear and open about the fact that you are an associate and make it clear that your views do not represent those of E3RC, fellow associates, members, customers, suppliers or people working on behalf of E3RC. If you do publish a blog or post online related to the work you do or subjects associated with E3RC, make it clear that you are not speaking on behalf of E3RC. It is best to include a disclaimer such as “The postings on this site are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of E3RC.”
Retaliation is prohibited
E3RC prohibits taking negative action against any associate for reporting a possible deviation from this policy or for cooperating in an investigation. Any associate who retaliates against another associate for reporting a possible deviation from this policy or for cooperating in an investigation will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
Media contacts
Associates should not speak to the media on E3RC’s behalf without contacting the Executive Directors.