This is a Prototype Web Site Archived for Historical Purposes Only
Demonstration Developed in 1995 by Tay Vaughan ('62) and Hilary Knight ('97)
Visit www.The GovernorsAcademy.org for the most current version

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

Acceptable Use Policy

The arrival of a more comprehensive computer network at Governor Dummer Academy provides a virtually unlimited supply of resources and information to the community, but the system also places an enormous responsibility on all users. All Academy rules, but particularly those pertaining to dishonesty and hazing, are applicable to all uses of computers and related technologies. This document is intended to clarify those rules as they apply specifically to network usage.

Users must adhere to the same code of ethics that governs all other aspects of life within the bounds of our learning community. Actions performed or initiated through the network must reflect the integrity, honesty, and compliance with the Academy's rules of conduct, as set forth in Student Handbook, and required of all representatives of the Academy. Policies protecting the privacy of all work on the network are built from the premise that an unlocked computer does not give an outsider legitimate access to an individual's files, just as an unlocked door does not give an outsider legitimate access to the personal belongings contained within a room.

The following policies exist to ensure the ethical use of the network at the Academy:

1. Accessing the accounts and files of others is prohibited. This rule protects all users on the network, not just the GDA community. Taking advantage of a student who inadvertently leaves a computer without logging out is no different from entering an unlocked room and stealing, reading a personal letter, or destroying someone's personal property.

2. Attempting to subvert network security, to impair functionality of the network, or to bypass restriction set by the administrators is prohibited. Assisting others in violating these rules by sharing information or passwords is also considered unacceptable behavior.

3. Improper use or distribution of information is prohibited. Improper use includes copyright violations, software piracy and plagiarism. The network is a valid academic resource, and use thereof is governed by the same rules as library resources.

4. Using the network for commercial purposes or in support of illegal activities is prohibited. The academy maintains the network for academic purposes as well as for school related and personal communication. If you are in doubt about the definition of "illegal activity," talk to a network administrator or the Assistant Headmaster.

5. Students accessing the network are representatives of the Academy, and are expected to behave accordingly. Students who are unsure of what constitutes appropriate behavior should ask themselves the question: "Will my actions reflect well on the GDA community?"