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Fair Use Policy | Glossary of Terms | ViDe Video Conferencing Cookbook

Educational Research Consortium of Western Carolinas and
Adventure of the American Mind Program
Video Conferencing Technology Fair Use Policy

Introduction

This policy for responsible and fair use of video conferencing technology (VCT) contains the governing philosophy for all applicable activities by teachers, students, staff, and other approved users of the Educational Research Consortium of the Western Carolinas (ERC) Adventure of the American Mind (AAM) Program VCT resources and facilities. This policy establishes the general principles regarding appropriate use of equipment, software, and networks, including, but not limited to, computing equipment, telephones and telephony systems, fax machines, video conferencing and satellite transmission systems, Internet and electronic mail systems, and computer and video networks.

Acceptable Uses of Video Conferencing Technology

All uses of ERC-AAM VCT shall be for purposes of, and/or in support of:

• Teaching and learning;
• Professional staff development; or
• Research.

Video conferencing equipment is placed at a location with the understanding that the equipment will be used for the aforementioned goals only. In pursuit of these goals, AAM provides access to VCT facilities and resources for students, faculty, staff, and other authorized users within institutional priorities and financial capabilities. AAM-purchased equipment will only be placed in approved facilities under the following conditions:

• Teachers and their activities in the AAM Program have first priority on use of the equipment for teaching/learning, professional staff development, and research.
• The organization or institution where the equipment is located will abide by this policy.
• Video conferencing equipment remains the property of the AAM Program and as such can be relocated with thirty (30) days notice.

Access to facilities and resources may be granted by AAM based on AAM's judgment of the following factors: relevant laws and contractual obligations, the requester's need to know, the information's sensitivity, and the risk of damage to or loss by the AAM Program.

VCT provides important means of communication, both public and private. Authorized users and system administrators will respect the privacy of person-to-person communications in all forms, including voice (telephone), text (electronic mail, file transfer, fax), and images (graphics, television, video conferencing, and satellite systems). AAM reserves the right to monitor and record the usage of all VCT facilities and resources.

All members of the AAM community who use VCT facilities and resources must act responsibly in their use of the resources. Every user is responsible for the integrity of the resources. All users of the AAM's VCT facilities and resources must respect the rights of other users, respect the integrity of the physical facilities, comply with all pertinent licenses, contractual agreements, and operating procedures, and uphold the highest standard of ethics.

Unacceptable Uses of Video Conferencing Technology

It is not acceptable to use AAM Program equipment or facilities for any illegal purposes that violate federal or state laws.

It is not acceptable to use AAM's facilities in such a way as to interfere with or disrupt network users, services, or equipment. Such interference or disruption includes, but is not limited to: conducting profit-making activities or distribution of unsolicited advertising unrelated to AAM; transmitting threatening, obscene, or harassing materials or otherwise unwelcome e-mail; propagating computer worms or viruses; playing computer games; causing intentional damage or otherwise interfering with other individuals' use of the Internet or computer files or programs; copying for personal use AAM-owned software; or using the network to make unauthorized entry to other computational, information, or communications devices or resources.

AAM reserves the right to limit, restrict, extend, or deny video conferencing privileges and access to its video conferencing resources. AAM may allow individuals other than AAM students, faculty, or staff access to information so long as such access does not violate any license or contractual agreement, AAM policy, or any federal, state, county, or local law or ordinance.

Enforcement

Intentional or negligent corruption or misuse of video conferencing facilities and resources are direct violations of this policy. AAM officers and administrators reserve the right to enforce this policy and exercise at their discretion any action deemed appropriate to revoke any and all privileges extended herein, including, but not limited to equipment removal, reassignment of AAM employee duties, remuneration for damages, and the pursuit of civil or criminal prosecution.

An Adventure of the American Mind is made available through a Library of Congress grant funded by the U.S. Congress. AAM is administered through the Education and Research Consortium of the Western Carolinas Inc.
For site-related problems, e-mail aam@ercwc.org..