Here’s a version of that Privacy and Internet Use Policy adapted for St. Athanasius College — with references, tone, and institutional details revised to fit a small academic or religious higher education setting while maintaining professional and legal clarity.
St. Athanasius College Internet and Privacy Policy
St. Athanasius College supports access to the Internet and the World Wide Web for faculty, students, and staff in alignment with the College’s mission of faith, learning, and service. Internet use is encouraged as a means of advancing teaching, research, scholarship, and community engagement in an open and responsible academic environment.
I. ACCEPTABLE USE OF THE INTERNET
The Internet is a shared and valuable resource intended to support the academic and administrative functions of St. Athanasius College. All users are expected to act responsibly, respecting the rights, integrity, and privacy of others and their data. Internet access is a privilege, not a right, and users must employ these resources in an ethical and lawful manner consistent with federal, state, and local laws as well as all College policies, including those concerning harassment, discrimination, and appropriate conduct.
Inappropriate or unlawful use of the Internet may result in suspension of access privileges and other disciplinary measures in accordance with College policies.
Responsible and acceptable use includes creative, efficient, and productive activity that supports the mission of St. Athanasius College. Examples of unacceptable use include, but are not limited to:
- Distribution of obscene, threatening, harassing, or defamatory material through email or other means
- Violation of copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights
- Accessing or attempting to access systems, accounts, or data without authorization
- Transmission of discriminatory or inflammatory content based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or age
- Sharing personal or financial data of others without their consent
Users should note that electronic mail and online communications are not guaranteed to be private.
II. FAIR ACCESS TO THE INTERNET
Internet access is provided to faculty, staff, and students in support of the College’s educational mission, subject to available resources. Users may create personal or academic web pages on College servers, but such pages must not be used for commercial purposes. Computer labs, libraries, and IT services reserve the right to limit session time or access based on resource availability.
III. OFFICIAL AND PERSONAL WEB PRESENCE
Official St. Athanasius College web pages represent the College, its departments, and affiliated programs. These pages are managed in coordination with the College’s Communications and Information Technology departments and must adhere to established branding and content standards.
Personal web pages created by faculty, staff, or students do not represent official College positions or views. Such pages may not use the College logo or imply institutional endorsement. Each personal page hosted on College systems must include the following disclaimer on its main page:
“The personal web pages of St. Athanasius College faculty, students, and staff do not constitute official College content. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not reflect those of St. Athanasius College.”
IV. POLICY ENFORCEMENT AND CONTENT GUIDELINES
St. Athanasius College is responsible only for content on its official web pages. The College does not monitor or control information available through the wider Internet and cannot guarantee the accuracy or appropriateness of external content. Users are encouraged to exercise critical judgment when evaluating online information.
The College does not restrict Internet access based on viewpoint or content but expects users to comply with laws and College standards. The responsibility for supervising a minor’s Internet use rests with the parent or guardian, not the College.
Copyright and Intellectual Property
Most materials on the Internet are protected by copyright. Reproduction, distribution, or adaptation without permission violates the law unless covered under “fair use” provisions. Unauthorized duplication of software or media (including music and videos) constitutes piracy and may lead to civil or criminal penalties.
Illegal or Inappropriate Activities
The following activities are strictly prohibited:
- Engaging in illegal acts under federal, state, or local law
- Creating, transmitting, or accessing child pornography (as defined in 18 U.S.C. §2252)
- Distributing obscene or pornographic materials to minors
- Participating in fraudulent schemes, scams, or chain mail solicitations
- Using the College’s systems for hate speech or targeted harassment
While freedom of expression is respected as an essential part of academic inquiry, speech that incites violence, harassment, or discrimination may warrant College action consistent with its policies and applicable law.
V. INTERNET OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
The College will maintain internet oversight from the Dean’s office. The Dean’s office reviews Internet and privacy policies as needed to ensure alignment with legal standards and the College’s mission.
VI. DISCLAIMER
“St. Athanasius College strives to maintain all official web pages with accurate and current information. However, due to the dynamic nature of online content, the College cannot guarantee complete accuracy at all times. Questions or corrections should be directed to the Dean’s office.”
Adapted from policies of the Houston City College System, Cornell University, and the Houston Public Library. Revised for use by St. Athanasius College.
