Southwestern Illinois College provides extensive computing and network communications services. These services, known collectively as Information Technology (IT), are part of the campus infrastructure, and their purpose is to support the college's teaching and public service missions. Unless explicitly noted, these policies apply to all computing and network communications equipment in all units of the college.

This document addresses issues specific to Southwestern Illinois College computing and network usage. Sections 1 through 5 articulate policies regarding individual users of computers and networks; sections 6 through 9 summarize administrative protocols for computing and network administrators and should not be construed as creating additional rights for individual users. Other college policies that address specific activities and behaviors, some of which are cited later in this policy, continue to apply to computing and network use. Individuals using college computing and networking services should be particularly aware of policies that apply to discrimination, harassment, the use of copyrighted materials, and those that apply to the appropriate use of college resources.

Computing and network communications are changing rapidly both in terms of technology and application, and the college reserves the right to amend this policy at any time.

All members of the college community are given notice of this policy by virtue of its publication, and are subject to it on the same basis. Ignorance of this policy does not relieve anyone of his or her responsibilities under it.