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Welcome to Governor Dummer Academy
America's oldest independent boarding school.

One Elm Street
Byfield, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
508-465-1763 Voice
508-462-1278 Fax
Home: www.gda.org

Student Code of Conduct

The Governor Dummer Academy Information Network (GDANET) puts enormous power at the fingertips of all members of the GDA community. As such, it also places a responsibility on all users of the network.

The ethical questions surrounding the network are really no different than those in other spheres of GDA life. Indeed, the Student Handbook provides a complete basis for good decision making with regard to GDANET. On the other hand, information technology is so new that GDA users, and people in society at large, often need help in seeing how our beliefs should be applied to its uses. The purpose of this document is to spell out some of the ethical issues, and describe how GDA rules and standards apply to GDANET uses.

Major Rules: The Student Handbook describes the Major School Rules (Pg. 6). The two rules which cover use of GDANET are the Major School Rules governing Unacceptable Conduct and Honesty.

Rules Governing Unacceptable Conduct and Honesty

In order to apply the Major School Rules to the GDANET, we need only remember that information is a form of property, and electronic mail (E-Mail) is a form of speech. In this light, it should also be obvious that obtaining a password or rights to another's directory or E-Mail on the network is a form of theft just as real as using a stolen key to enter someone's room. Taking advantage of a student who inadvertently leaves a computer without logging out is no different from entering his unlocked room and stealing, reading a personal letter, or destroying his property. Using someone else's password, or posting a message using another's login name is a form of dishonesty just as is plagiarism or lying.
Electronic Voice Mail: The rules of conduct concerning the use of electronic mail require some special mention. GDA treats electronic voice mail as analogous to ordinary paper mail. We expect students to respect the privacy of E-Mail/voice mail messages, and the school will respect it also. No one will read personal mail unless the recipient gives permission. On the other hand, the recipient of an E-Mail/voice mail message may choose to share it with others. As a matter of manners, one should not, however, share an E-Mail/voice mail message with a wide audience unless the author has agreed. Similarly, the contents of one's files on the network will be considered private. An exception is made for "executable" files and programs which may affect the operation of the network. GDA reserves the right to inspect user directories for such files, and to remove them if found.
Bulletin Boards: Public E-Mail messages (e.g. those posted on one of the Bulletin Boards) must not include personal attacks, and should follow ordinary rules of appropriate public language. Since such messages are, by their nature, public, they should not contain any language or content which the author would not be willing to share from the podium at a school meeting.
Pirated Software: Another issue is the use and transferal of stolen (some call it "pirated") software. Commercial software is copyrighted and each purchaser must abide by the licensing agreement published with the software. There is no justification for the use of illegally obtained software. Students should expect this to be handled as a disciplinary matter, much as shoplifting from a local store might be handled. Although GDA recognizes that the use of illegal software is a common practice, this does not -- in any way -- make it a legal or ethical one.
Internet Access: GDA students using GDA's system to access the Internet must follow the same code of conduct used inside GDA. Use of inappropriate language, bullying, harassing, etc., addressed to off-campus persons will be treated no differently than if addressed to other GDA students. Using GDA's system to attempt to break into other computer systems is also treated no differently than using the login name of another GDA student. In some cases, GDA's standards of conduct may be higher than those of outside groups. Regardless, GDA students are expected to abide by them.
Information from the Internet: While GDA cannot effectively restrict the content of information obtained by students via the Internet, obtaining material that is explicitly labeled as not intended for minors will be considered conduct detrimental to the Academy. Further, making public or passing on any material that is "pornographic", or "hurtful", consult with a member of the faculty before taking such an action.
Safety: For your own safety, it is important never to give out over the Internet personal information (address, phone number, etc.) to someone whom you do not know. There have been a number of cases of people with criminal intent using the Internet to identify and pursue potential victims.

Consequences: The violation of GDA's rules concerning the use of GDANET will result In the same disciplinary actions that would result from similar violations in other areas of GDA life. In addition, mis-use of the GDANET can also result in loss of some GDANET privileges. For example, network access from one's dorm room may be restricted, or students may be permitted to use only certain computers on campus. In severe cases, it is possible that access to E-Mail or to the network itself may be limited or eliminated.

Agreement:

In order to make sure that all members of the GDA community understand and agree to these rules of conduct, we ask that you sign the following statement:

I, ______________________________, have read and understand the school rules as they apply to the use of the GDA Information Network. I will abide by them in letter and spirit, and understand that violating them will result in disciplinary action by the school, up to and including dismissal.
Date: ___________________
Signed:____________________________________________