Policy for Publishing Web Pages @ Medaille

Purpose:

This policy is provided for Faculty, Administrators, Staff, and Registered Students of Medaille College who intend to publish an individual web page, or submit information for their departments to be used on Medaille College's Home Page.

Computers and network systems can enhance communication among the members of Medaille College and the communities outside of the college setting. However, unlawful or inappropriate use of these tools can infringe on the rights of others. Therefore, the College expects all members to use electronic communications in a responsible manner.

Violators of this policy will be subject to the existing student or employee disciplinary procedures of Medaille College.

Medaille College reserves the right to change this policy at any time.

Content:

Responsibility:

The author of a web page is responsible for the content, and it is up to the individual to make sure that the material within the web page does not violate any college policies or any federal, state, and local laws.

Ownership:

Medaille College's Home Page is an official publication of Medaille College, therefore, all materials (including text and photographs) appearing on the Home Page or the Home Pages of specific departments of the college are copyrighted and should not be reproduced without written permission from the Director of College Communications.

Individual faculty, administrators, staff, or registered students who create their own home pages own the copyright for their original material. Individuals though, must be aware of copyright infringement. Rather than duplicating the work of others, incorporate links to the work of others into your own pages, when appropriate.

Any computer software, which is protected under copyright laws, will not be transmitted via the network or stored on any school computer without expressed written permission of the copyright owner.

Other Content Considerations:

No user may, under any circumstances, use Medaille College's computers or networks to libel, slander, or harass any other person.

Medaille College's computers or networks may not be used for commercial use or any unlawful activity. For example, there would be no soliciting sales or conducting a business, no advertising or selling a service, no posting of an advertisement to a news group.

The server is the property of Medaille College. Therefore, if necessary, the college has the right to periodically and randomly review the documents residing on the college's server.

Editorial and Design:

Because Medaille College's Home Page is an official publication of the College, the Director of College Communications reviews any information to be entered on the Home Page.

Medaille College's Departmental Home Pages (Academic and Administrative)

1. Every division that has a link on the home page will have a steward, who will maintain, monitor, and update the information for that particular department.

2. Upon receiving approval from the Division Head, the steward can implement the changes to the particular department's section on the Home Page.

(Note: Whoever initiates any additions, deletions or changes must complete the required form from the Information Services and Technology Department and obtain the required Division Head signature.

Individual Faculty, Administrators, Staff, or Registered Students' Home Pages:

An individual may create his/her own Home Page, but each individual's Home Page shall include the following disclaimer:

Neither the page contents nor the link identifiers on this Home Page are monitored, reviewed, or endorsed by Medaille College.

1. To set up your Home Page, contact the Office of Information Services and Technology to receive the required form.

2. The Office of Information Services and Technology, upon request, will provide the necessary link. Please note: The College is only responsible for providing the link.

3. Each individual is responsible for creating, maintaining, monitoring, and updating their own Home Page (including back-up copies).

4. If you want your personal home page to have a link to Medaille's web site for employee listing, contact the Director of College Communications.

If there is reason to believe that an individual's Home Page is being used in violation of law or College policy, or in any way that threatens to disrupt service to other users, the Office of Information Services and Technology may restrict or suspend the use of the Home Page until it is reasonably assured that the illegal or disruptive use of the Home Page has ceased.

Privacy:

Once your web page is published, it is available for anyone to see. It is recommended that you use caution in publishing very personal information about yourself. Keep in mind, that just as you can link other people's pages, others will link to your web page.

Effective Date of Policy: September 1997
Revised: February 1999, December 1999

Check to see who your department steward is.