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Policies and Procedures Manual

08:08:02 Computer Software Procedures

Revision Responsibility: Executive Director of Information and Educational Technologies & Chief Information Officer
Responsible Executive Officer: Vice President for Business & Finance

Purpose

To provide procedures and regulatory guidance relative to the use of and copyright protection of computer software by students and employees of Walters State Community College. Procedures for purchasing hardware/system items are provided in the college’s Purchasing Policy and Procedures Manual

Policy

I. General Software Procedures

Only software that supports the educational, administrative, public service and research missions of the college will be installed on the college’s computers. This software is normally limited to the following types:

  1. Software purchased and installed under a site agreement.
     
  2. Software purchased under a single copy purchase and installed on a single machine.
     
  3. Software developed by employees and students.
     
  4. Public domain software, open source software, and software contributed to the college.

Software programmed by college employees and students, public domain software, and software contributed to the college may be installed on a system provided it contains documentation to clearly indicate that it was created by the college employee or student, or that it is in the public domain or contributed to the college. Software not acquired by Walters State by an officially sanctioned means as stated above will not be installed or operated on the college’s computers. Unlicensed copies of copyrighted computer programs may not be made or used on college equipment.

II. Regulatory Policy

The piracy or unauthorized copying of software by students, staff or faculty is legally and ethically unacceptable at this institution. Employees and students will be expected to adhere to the provisions of Public Law 96-517, Sect 7 (b) which amends to adhere to the provisions of the United States Code to allow for making of a back-up copy of computer programs. The public law states that “…it is not an infringement for the owner of a copy of a computer program to make or authorize the making of another copy or adaptation of that computer program provided:

  1. That such a new copy or adaptation is created as an essential step in the utilization of the computer program in conjunction with a machine and that it is used in no other manner, or
     
  2. That such new copy and adaptation is for archival purposes only and that all archival copies are destroyed in the event that continued possession of the computer program should cease to be “rightful.”

I. Adherence and Enforcement

Walters State employees are responsible for adhering to this computer software copyright policy and for enforcing the provisions of the policy where students are concerned.

8/04; 9/06; 2/14; 05/16; 09/17; 03/23