SRNet - Stone Ridge Information Network
The Stone Ridge Information Network (SRNet) consists of the computers, peripherals (including, but not limited to, printers, scanners, CD-ROM, and digital cameras), software, the internal data network, and the connection to the Internet. These resources are intended for educational and administrative use by the students, faculty, and staff of Stone Ridge.

Access to the resources of SRNet is a privilege accorded to staff, faculty, and students who agree (along with their parents in the case of students) to abide by this Acceptable Use Policy (AUP). Those found in violation of this policy may have these privileges revoked along with other suitable penalties as seen fit by the school’s administrative team.

In the past it was much easier to separate a person’s home life from their Stone Ridge one. Now with the advent of the Internet and wireless devices, non-school communications are having a real and immediate effect on the school environment and the health, welfare, and safety of our community. Parents must be involved in their children’s cyber activities and supervise their behavior.

Being connected to the Internet means being connected to many thousands of computers and sharing resources with millions of other people and organizations throughout the world. Stone Ridge acknowledges that some material exists on the Internet that is not suitable to the educational purpose of the school, and everyone must understand and accept that access to such material from the SRNet is strictly forbidden. All users are expected to use SRNet in the pursuit of knowledge, seeking resources, and intellectual activities, and to share these with peers, family, and teachers.

Appropriate uses of SRNet include independent study, research, and completion of school assignments, instruction, and the official work of the administrative offices. Inappropriate uses include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Vandalizing and abusing computer equipment, regardless of ownership;
• Knowingly entering unauthorized computer networks or software to tamper, copy or destroy data;
• Bypassing the school’s filtering service and software; • Using of any Internet-based “chat” programs that use IRC protocols;
• Using someone else’s account, folders, or passwords unless authorized to do so by that individual;
• Revealing someone’s electronic mail (e-mail) address or personal information;
• Accessing or distributing abusive, harassing, libelous, obscene, offensive, profane, pornographic, threatening, sexually explicit, or illegal material;
• Sending/receiving messages under someone else’s name;
• Communicating with others in a disrespectful manner;
• Removing, taking, or breaking SRNet cables or damaging hardware;
• Failing to adhere to file storage size limitations;
• Inviting or requesting chat solicitations (FirstClass) more than once in a school day; and
• Posting information online (on SRNet or other Internet resources) about members of the SR community without their permission.

Unlawful Use
Authorized SR users will not use school resources in any manner that violates local, state, or federal law. System Administrators may be bound to report any illegal violations of which they have knowledge.

Accessing Inappropriate Material
SR users will not access, download, or transfer any material that is inappropriate to the educational mission of the school. SR users will not download any software or applications, including items such as screen savers, cursor and setup programs, games, chat programs, and music search engines, without permission from the System Administrator. During the school day, e-mail for Middle School students will be limited to Stone Ridge-approved, FirstClass accounts. Instant Messaging, and any messaging programs utilizing IRC protocols, are not approved applications at any time during the school day. SRNet resources will not be used for the purpose of Instant Messaging, or any other messaging program outside of FirstClass as installed by the school. System Administrators will be consulted about the appropriateness of any material.

Copyright Infringement & Plagiarism
Much of the material available on the Internet is protected by copyright. SR users will not access, store, reproduce, distribute, or display any material including graphics, sound clips, music and data CDs, pictures, or text in a manner which violates the copyright of the material including plagiarism or unauthorized copying of electronic documents. You are directed to review the section “Crediting Information Found on the Internet” in the Help section of SRNet. Most software is protected both by copyright law and contractual restrictions.

Under no circumstances will SR users load or download any software onto the SRNet or desktops, personal or otherwise, without first obtaining permission from a System Administrator. SR users will not use the SRNet to create, store, transfer or operate software in a manner, which violates the rights of the holder of the copyright to the software. SR users must comply with copyright laws and intellectual property rights of others.

Downloading
As previously stated, SR users will never download any programs from the Internet during school hours. Purchased resources use valuable bandwidth and slow down traffic throughout the school. SR users will download approved updates and virus protection as directed by teachers and the technology staff.

Harassment
SR users will not use the resources of SRNet in a manner that is harassing to others. This includes, but is not limited to, posting images or e-mail messages, which cause discomfort to others. Displaying images, sounds, or messages on a computer in a public area which cause discomfort to others in that area is also prohibited. Users will assume that their electronic correspondence is the legal equivalent of publicly spoken or written words. Communicate with others in a courteous and respectful manner.

Privacy Violations
SR users will not seek information about, browse, obtain copies of, modify files, passwords, or tapes belonging to others at school or elsewhere, unless specifically authorized to do so by those individuals. If an SR user comes in contact with another individual’s account and personal information, it should be reported to an instructor immediately. A System Administrator may, to the extent permitted by law, assume access rights to a user’s private files, when required for maintenance of the school’s computer resources, in emergencies, or in the course of investigating possible wrongdoing.

Misuse
SR users will not misuse the resources of SRNet. Misuse shall be considered the use of any resources that interfere with the school’s educational and administrative purposes. This includes, but is not limited to, excessive game-playing, Internet chat, invitations to chat, chain letters, storage on network resources, forwarding “junk” e-mail, use of the school’s computers for personal work or commercial work, reserving a public resource for later use, or mailing or printing excessive messages or documents. SR users will be sensitive to the special need for software and services available in only one or limited locations, and defer to those whose work requires immediate assistance.

SR users will respect others both internal and external to Stone Ridge and maintain good “netiquette” with electronic communications.

Additionally, to ease SRNet congestion, SR users will download only approved information needed. SR users will spell-check and proofread before printing and remember to logout when finished. SR users must receive permission from an instructor before printing any information from the Internet. Upper School students have limited printing access and are restricted in the number of pages they may print on school printers. To avoid waste, each student is responsible for printing only what is required and necessary. SR users may only share computer resources with others with their permission. SR users will not misuse borrowed computer resources, and may only use loaned computer equipment for Stone Ridge-approved work.

There are times when wireless access may be inappropriate in a classroom. Students should remain off-line when that is the expectation.

Computer Viruses
Viruses are unauthorized computer programs that may destroy or damage computer files on an infected computer. SR users should be aware that a virus may be located in any file or disk obtained from a third party. If there any doubts or concerns about the source of any file which will be loaded onto a school computer, SR users will obtain permission from a System Administrator before loading the file. Anyone responsible for a computer becoming infected with viruses, or any other destructive code, will be held liable for any resulting damage or data loss on the SRNet. Virus protection is available under a site license owned by the school. It is every SR users’ responsibility to be sure that virus protection is updated in a timely manner and that individual files are backed up at an alternate location. It is the responsibility of all SR users to contact the technology staff to learn how to protect themselves and school resources.

Safety
The SRNet and connected information networks are “public places.” SR users must always remember that they share this space with many other users and that their actions can be “seen” by others. It is likely that outsiders are aware of all activities taking place while on the Internet. When using the Internet and communicating with others, keep the following in mind: SR users cannot see other users who may be someone other than who they claim to be. Remember to exercise caution when communicating with people anywhere. Be careful about giving any information on-line. This includes supplying names and e-mail addresses to websites requiring membership. Doing so may result in your receiving unsolicited e-mail. Stone Ridge will not require you to subscribe to any of these websites. Do not give out home phone numbers, addresses, or other personal information to anyone. Do not give out names, addresses, phone numbers or information about any Stone Ridge students. If SR users feel there is a problem or are uncomfortable with information being received, a teacher, System Administrator, or Supervisor should be notified immediately.

SR users need to think carefully about what and how something is said. Be respectful in all communications. Remember that all SR users represent Stone Ridge when on the Internet. Follow the rule: do not say something electronically if it would not be said in person!

Student Laptop Program
The Stone Ridge student laptop program begins in Eighth Grade. It is a privilege to bring a laptop to school. All students will be issued an SRNet account and password when they have their machines configured by the Stone Ridge technology staff. The staff will provide students with important information. In the event that the school settings are overwritten for home use and IP settings are removed, the student needs to understand how to reinstall these settings and be responsible to do so. Stone Ridge is unable to support home networks and, as such, expects the school settings will be maintained for consistent access while at Stone Ridge.

Laptop storage remains a student responsibility. Secured areas are provided (by division) and it is imperative that students secure their laptops when not in use.



Loaners for Students
In the event that a laptop needs to be sent away for repairs, students need to request a loaner from the Middle and Upper School computer teachers. Students requesting loaners need to realize that it will take at least one school day to prepare a loaner for their use. Since Stone Ridge has a limited number of loaner laptops, students must return the loaner within three weeks.

Middle School students may arrange to have their laptops repaired during Middle School visits by the technology staff. The staff will meet students in the Middle School computer lab during posted hours. Middle School students may not travel through the Upper School at any time for laptop repairs.

Network Security
It is the job of SR users to keep the SRNet secure. Never share accounts or passwords with anyone. SR System Administrators will never ask for this information; they already know it. If an SR user has forgotten a password or thinks someone else might have access to an account, it must be reported to a System Administrator immediately.

The best way to keep an account secure is to have a proper password that is changed periodically. Any gaps in system or SRNet security must be reported to a System Administrator immediately. SR users will not exploit such gaps.

Report any violations of this Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) to a System Administrator as soon as possible.

This policy may be amended at times. The most current version will be available on the Stone Ridge website.

Last Updated, May 31, 2007