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Computer Usage & Copyright Policies

Samantha Hasting
EDUC 636
Dr. Murphy
September 19, 2014












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Copyright & Computer Usage Policies
In our society where technology has taken such a major role in everyday activities from work,
home, and school, procedures have been put into place to protect the requirements of certain
organizations. In educational institutions, copyright and computer usage policies guide students,
teachers, and other users of the websites. Students and employees sign these policies, usually on a
yearly basis, agreeing to use computers and materials for educational purposes. Below, four
educational institutes copyright policies and computer usage policies are explored.
Copyright policies protect works created by and used by schools. Greenville County Schools
copyright policy gives permission for educational and commercial use with regulations explained. The
district gives schools and districts free reign to reproduce documents on the website. When documents
enclose a signature of the author, permission from the author must be given before use is permitted.
Users are allowed to obtain graphic images from the site, as long as permission has been given from the
District Webmaster. For commercial users, permission must be given from the authors and/or the
Webmaster before usage (Greenville County Schools). Seattle Universitys copyright policy is more
illustrative than the previous policy. It goes into detail about disciplinary steps taken when students and
teachers illegally use copyrighted materials, possibly resulting in federal prosecution. The universitys
policy also encourages professors and members of the community to have their works registered to be
copyrighted (Seattle University).
Computer usage policies are present in nearly every organization equipped with computer
software. These policies limit the use of the software to school- and work-related management. These
policies are signed by staff, students, and parents in educational settings, agreeing to use computers and
other Internet software in appropriate ways. Wesleyan Universitys computer usage policy states that it
is the responsibility of the users to keep passwords confidential and to maintain all accountability for
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publishing electronic information under the universitys name. Individuals not associated with the
university are prohibited from using computers and software belonging therein. The policy restrains
users attempts to breach security, illegally share copyrighted material, harass and threaten, or remove
software from computers. The university has the right to reduce or eliminate access of users when
computers are used inappropriately (Wesleyan University). Much like Wesleyan Universitys computer
usage policy, New Bedford Public School Districts computer usage policy states that access is a privilege,
not a right. Users must take responsibility for their usage of software and will have privileges eliminated
if just cause is found (New Bedford Public School).
Technology has become a crucial element for schools and higher education institutes to offer
their students in the present day. With ever-changing technology, laws, policies, and procedures have
had to adapt with the times. While each school has different ideas on what their policies will entail,
overall, the theme is the same: Access is a privilege, and care should be taken when using another
persons work.








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References
Copyright Policy. Retrieved on September 18, 2014, from
http://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/Departments/main.asp?titleid=etscopyright.
Copyright Policy. Retrieved on September 19, 2014, from
http://www.seattleu.edu/policies/copyright.aspx.
New Bedford Public Schools Computer Usage Policy. Retrieved on September 18, 2014, from
http://www.newbedford.k12.ma.us/usage_policy.htm.
Wesleyan Computer Usage Policy. Retrieved on September 18, 2014, from
http://www.wesleyan.edu/its/policies/computerusage.html.