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Troy UniversityPolicies and Guidelines Concerning the Publication of Informationon Troy University's Academic World Wide Web Server BACKGROUND AND PURPOSETroy University recognizes that the World Wide Web is an important communication medium that should be used to inform, communicate and positively promote Troy University to its internal and external audiences. The Web is also a tool for internal communication, academic support and instruction. Because the Web is a form of electronic publication with a potentially large audience and because it is accessible from most countries throughout the world, Troy State University encourages high standards of presentation of its Web pages. It is important that Troy University be represented on the World Wide Web accurately, with high-quality, current and pertinent information in keeping with and promoting Troy University's missions in teaching, research and service. Troy University provides World Wide Web access to all members of the University community and encourages faculty to publish freely and openly on the World Wide Web, within the constraints of existing laws and policies. Troy University is committed to the principles of freedom of speech and expression that the World Wide Web offers. However, the goals and values of Troy University as an institution of higher education must be reflected in the design and content of Web pages published on Troy University's Web servers. These guidelines are intended to provide a framework in the interest
of faculty members who communicate about and with the University, its colleges,
schools, departments, campuses, administrative offices, faculty, staff,
students and organizations through this medium. These guidelines are intended
to augment, not replace, the existing "Troy University
Information Technology Usage Policy." Copies of this policy are available
in the Library. OFFICIAL TROY UNIVERSITY HOME PAGESColleges, schools, offices, departments, programs and other units are
encouraged to create World Wide Web pages to communicate their programs
via the Web. Official Web pages may be created only by units which are
officially affiliated with the University. These pages are published on
the Trojan Internet host computer operated by MIS. Policies
concerning Official Troy University Web pages are published in other documents. FACULTY AND COURSE PAGESFaculty members are encouraged to publish course materials and handouts for students on the World Wide Web. Established policies of teaching as described in the Faculty Handbook and other official publications apply to items directly related to classes published on Troy University's Web servers. Personal pages for individual faculty members and Troy University courses are not considered official home pages. All personal Web pages on the Troy University academic server must include the following disclaimer:
The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this page are those of the author or
organization and not necessarily those of Troy University or its officers and trustees.
The content of this page has not been reviewed or approved by Troy University and the
author or organization is solely responsible for its content.
Instead of adding the disclaimer shown above to your pages, you can add the following
HTML code to your pages.
The content of any such pages must not violate applicable export laws and regulations; must not constitute a copyright or trademark infringement; and cannot be used to promote harassment, support for terrorist activities, hate speech, obscenity, pornography, child pornography, indecency or other activities prohibited by local, state or federal law or University regulation. All such pages must be in compliance with all appropriate Troy University campus policies and procedures, including the "Troy University Information Technology Usage Policy." Troy University's Chief Information Officer will appoint a Web Master for the campus academic web server. The Academic Web Master will work with Troy University's MIS Department and will have general oversight responsibility for the Web pages on the academic web server. The Academic Web Master can remove any Web page from the Academic Web Server that does not follow the established policies governing electronic communication. The Academic Web Master reports to the director of MIS. Publications on the Web are subject to the University's communications and public information policies found in Troy University Graphic Standards Manual, Student Handbook, Faculty Handbook and other official publications. For example, the Faculty Handbook discusses how the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 impacts the posting of student grades. As most faculty are aware, Social Security Numbers (SSN) may not be released to a third party without written permission from the student. This includes the posting of grades by SSN! Faculty members are not to attempt to post final course grades on the World Wide Web. The posting of final grades is the responsibility of the Office of Academic Records and will be made available via the Internet using the adminstrative computing system. However, many students view the posting of other grades as a service. In the cases of Distance Learning and University College classes, the posting of grades becomes one of the primary methods of informing a student of his or her progress. To help faculty stay within the law and established Troy University policy as published in the Faculty Handbook, the following policies for the posting of grades on the World Wide Web are given below:
The policies on posting of grades is only one of the areas covered by the Troy University Faculty Handbook. This publication should be consulted to help answer other questions concerning faculty policy as required. Users should refrain from all acts that waste or prevent others from using these resources or from using them in whatever ways have been proscribed by Troy University and state and federal statutes. Any World Wide Web pages, pictures, graphics or similar items that make excessive use of network bandwidth shall be terminated by the Academic Web Master or campus network administrator in accordance with these policies. The e-mail address of the author, or other person responsible for placing the information on the World Wide Web, shall be readily apparent for each such page, by information on the page itself, a link to another page, or the context. Personal home pages may not be used for private business or commercial enterprise and may not be used for advertising or fundraising. Any page which violates any of these Policies and Guidelines shall be
immediately expunged from the Network. RESPONSIBILITY AND LEGAL ISSUESAuthors or originators using trademarks must have written permission of the person(s) or organization(s) owning the trademarks prior to their use. Only approved Troy University logos or trademarks may be used on personal/course World Wide Web pages. Approved Troy University graphics are provided on Academic Web Server. Authors or originators using photos and images need the permission of not only the person or organization that owns the photo or image, but also from any persons included within the images. The University determines who is authorized to use its network and who may publish materials on a World Wide Web server attached to the University's network. Use of the network and Troy University's World Wide Web servers is a privilege and access is conditioned on adherence to applicable university regulations and legal statutes. Users of the network are additionally responsible for respecting and adhering to local, state, federal and international laws as well as the regulations of any interconnected network used. Any attempt to break those laws or regulations through the use of the network may result in litigation against the offender by the proper authorities. Users may not copy or misuse copyrighted software or related material owned or licensed by the University. All home pages and World Wide Web documents using the Troy University network and information technology systems are subject to the provisions in the Troy State University System Information Technology Usage Policy. Troy University reserves the right to establish file storage limits for home page items maintained on campus Web servers. Troy University reserves the right to change this policy without notice. (Approved Fall Quarter 1997) (Modified Fall 1998) (Modified Fall 2001) (Modified Spring 2004)
Click here for Troy University's Technology Policy |
