All users are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette (also known as netiquette). These rules include, but are not restricted to the following:

1. BE POLITE AND USE APPROPRIATE LANGUAGE: Remember that you are a representative of your school and District on a non-private system. You may be alone using a technology resource or personal/CISD device, but what you say and do on your computer can be viewed globally. You should not submit, publish or display any defamatory, inaccurate, racially offensive, discriminatory, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, harassing or threatening materials or messages either public or private.

2. PRIVACY: Do not reveal any personal information about yourself or other persons (including, but not limited to, home address, personal phone numbers, photographs, or last name). Users should have no expectation of privacy regarding their use of District property and technology resources. In general, communications or transmissions made through technology resources should never be considered private or confidential. The District reserves the right to monitor the use of its network and all technology resources as it deems necessary to ensure the safety and integrity of its network, diagnose problems, investigate reports of illegal or impermissible activity and ensure user compliance with state and federal laws and the District's policies. In addition, users should be aware that the District will comply with lawful orders of courts, such as subpoenas and search warrants. The District is also subject to the Texas Public Information Act which may require disclosure of information transmitted through its technology resources, including e-mail communications.

3. ELECTRONIC MAIL:

   • All users of any electronic mail either provided by the District or transmitted through the District's technology resources are required to comply with this Acceptable Use Policy.

   • System users are asked to purge email or outdated files on a regular basis. Employees and volunteers should ensure that any official school records that are maintained in an electronic medium that are subject to state or federal retention requirements are either retained in hard copy or archived prior to being deleted or purged.

   • Never assume electronic mail is private. Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities must be reported to the authorities and the District will comply with state and federal laws, as well as court orders or subpoenas that will require disclosure.

   • Be brief and professional: Few people will bother to read a long message or one that is not narrowly tailored to the underlying purpose of the communication. Electronic communications by District employees, volunteers and staff should be consistent with the District's professional standards of conduct.

   • Include your signature (name, position, affiliation, and Internet address) at the bottom of e-mail messages.

   • Send only to individuals and/or groups you know.

4. DISRUPTIONS: Do not use the network in any way that would disrupt use of the network by others.

5. OWNERSHIP: Any data or communication placed on District equipment will become the property of CISD. Intellectual property created solely for the purpose of satisfying a course requirement and/or contributing to their student learning is owned by the creator.

6. VANDALISM: Any attempt to alter or destroy data of another user will be subject to disciplinary or corrective action in accordance with District policy.

7. ACCOUNTABILITY: Users are responsible for the proper use of their system accounts, passwords and District-issued technology resources. Users must control unauthorized use of their accounts, passwords and District-issued technology resources. Users should not provide their password to any person, unless authorized or directed by the District. If you permit someone else access to your account, password, or District-issued technology resources, you may be held responsible for any improper, illegal or destructive activity done by that person. Do not give others access to District technology resources unless they are authorized and authenticated to do so. Users may not extend access to District technology resources to others without permission from the District.

If you believe that your account, password or District-issued technology resource may have been stolen, hacked, or compromised, you must immediately report it to the District's Technology Department.

Please read Acceptable Use for Technology Resources.