MTI Policies and Administrative Rules

Board Policies

The South Dakota Board of Technical Education and the Mitchell School Board of Education are the governing boards of Mitchell Technical College. Policies are approved by the board and apply to all students, administrators, and employees of the institute. Many policies are referred to in this publication; they are readily accessible in their entirety on the Mitchell Tech website under the About link.

MTI General Catalog/Handbook

Many practices and procedures affecting students are found within this document. This publication is updated annually and is available on the MTI website. Students are informed that they are responsible for the content of the General Catalog/Handbook and it is their responsibility to comply with the provisions therein. (See Policy MTI 1003.)

Nondiscrimination Statement

Policies designed to eliminate discriminatory practices have been instituted.

MTI does not discriminate in its employment of policies and practices, or in its educational programs on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, age, gender (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, disability, national origin, or ancestry, military/veteran status, genetic information or any other category protected by law.

Sexual Violence Response

Mitchell Technical Institute is committed to providing a safe educational and working environment for its students, faculty, staff and other members of the MTI community. The Institute prohibits sexual violence and sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. This conduct is disruptive to the learning and working environment and will not be tolerated by the Institute.

The Institute is committed to preventing sexual misconduct, relationship violence, and stalking, as well as addressing its effects on the Institute community. MTI has adopted Policy MTI 117 in order to inform students, faculty, and staff and other members of the MTI community of their rights and responsibilities in the event they are or have knowledge of someone involved in an incident of sexual misconduct, relationship violence or stalking and of the services available to victims of sexual misconduct, relationship violence and stalking. (See Policy MTI 117.)

Harassment

The staff, administrators and students of Mitchell Technical Institute are responsible for maintaining a working and learning environment free from sexual or other forms of harassment. MTI policy states that sexual harassment or other unwelcome sexual advances, requests for favors or other inappropriate conduct of a sexual nature are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Any MTI employee or student who violates the policy will be subject to disciplinary action. (See Policy MTI 115.)

Student Complaints

Mitchell Technical Institute recognizes that there may be conditions that are in need of improvement and that students and others should have some means by which their concerns may be effectively expressed, considered, and dealt with fairly. Such means can do much to maintain harmonious relationships between the Institute and the students and community.

MTI desires that all types of complaints be handled informally at the level closest to the origin of the complaint, but that channels be provided for filing official complaints when resolution is not achieved. MTI will follow approved policies and procedures for handling complaints.

To file an official complaint or appeal with the Institute, please refer to Policy MTI 1045.
To file a grievance alleging a violation of federal and state civil rights laws, rules and regulations, please refer to Policy MTI 1046.

For all complaints, the first course of action must be to try to resolve the complaint directly with MTI through informal or formal processes. If the matter is not resolved through formal processes outlined in Policies 1045 or 1046, you may choose to file a complaint at the state level. See the MTI website under the About MTI tab and Complaints link for information on how to file a complaint at the state level.

Student Due Process

All students are entitled to due process when they are subjected to disciplinary actions such as suspension or expulsion. See Policy MTI 1044. The Board and MTI officials have the legal authority to deal with disruptive students and student misconduct. Due process, for most situations, shall be met when:

The student is given oral or written notice of the charges against him/her;
The student is given an oral or written explanation of the facts that form the basis of the proposed suspension disciplinary action;
The student is allowed to have an advisor present during any proceedings, including interviews with MTI officials; and
The student is given an opportunity to present his/her version of the incident.

The student may appeal the imposed disciplinary action as specified in Policy MTI 1045.

Weapons on Campus

Students are not permitted to carry, possess, use, store, distribute, transfer, or transport a weapon on any school property, vehicle, or premises, except as explicitly stated in Policy MTI 1033. Students in violation of this policy may be subject to sanctions in accordance to MTI’s Non-academic Probation, Suspension, and Expulsion policy. (See Policy MTI 1036.)

Alcohol and Drugs

Alcohol is prohibited in all campus facilities and at all MTI-sponsored events involving students. MTI is a Drug-Free Workplace. It is the policy of the Mitchell Technical Institute that the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, use, or being under the influence of a controlled substance on property of MTI or while a student of MTI is engaged in an activity assigned as part of his/her involvement with MTI is prohibited unless said controlled substance is used as prescribed by a doctor. A description of applicable legal sanctions is listed in Policy 1035. Financial aid may be affected if violations occur.

Students convicted of the possession of illegal drugs while receiving Title IV financial aid may have their financial aid suspended for one year. If a student is convicted of selling drugs, they may have their financial aid eligibility suspended for two years. Additional convictions will add at least two years to the above suspensions.

Smoking/Tobacco Use

MTI is a smoke-free, tobacco-free campus in all buildings, building interior and exterior entrances and MTI vehicles. Outside designated smoking areas will be provided at each MTI building. These are the only locations where tobacco and smoking are permitted. “Tobacco Restricted” means there are designated tobacco use areas available at each campus building. This includes all tobacco and smoking-type products, including e-cigarettes. See Policy MTI 518.

Copyright

Mitchell Technical Institute encourages students to familiarize themselves with copyright law and the Fair Use Guidelines. Policy MTI 551 provides guidelines on adhering to Fair Use Guidelines.

MTI also has policies in place that prohibit the illegal downloading of copyrighted material. See Policy MTI 744. Furthermore, in compliance with requirements of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, MTI is required to inform students and staff of further civil and criminal penalties that could be applied towards individuals who engage in the practice of illegally downloading copyrighted material, as follows:

Summary of Civil and Criminal Penalties for Violation of Federal Copyright Laws - Copyright infringement is the act of exercising, without permission or legal authority, one or more of the exclusive rights granted to the copyright owner under section 106 of the Copyright Act (Title 17 of the United States Code). These rights include the right to reproduce or distribute a copyrighted work. In the file-sharing context, downloading or uploading substantial parts of a copyrighted work without authority constitutes an infringement.

Penalties for copyright infringement include civil and criminal penalties. In general, anyone found liable for civil copyright infringement may be ordered to pay either actual damages or “statutory” damages affixed at not less than $750 and not more than $30,000 per work infringed. For “willful” infringement, a court may award up to $150,000 per work infringed. A court can, in its discretion, also assess costs and attorneys’ fees. For details, see Title 17, United States Code, Sections 504, 505. Willful copyright infringement can also result in criminal penalties, including imprisonment of up to five years and fines of up to $250,000 per offense. For more information, please see the Web site of the U.S. Copyright Office at www.copyright.gov, especially their FAQ’s at www.copyright.gov/help/faq.

MTI Name and Logo

Mitchell Technical Institute places great value on its name and logo. These represent the school and all the staff and students within. Therefore, students and members of the public should be aware that need to secure permission from the MTI Marketing Office in order to use the school trademark which includes all school names (Mitchell Technical Institute, MTI, Mitchell Tech, etc.), logos, and trademarks. Unauthorized use of any of the above may result in legal action against all persons involved in the production, design, manufacture, sales, or distribution of items. This includes T-shirts, jackets, and all other material. (See Policy MTI 105.)

Fundraising

Fundraising may be approved to supplement MTI funds where the President or the Dean of Student Success feels it is appropriate to meet the educational needs of students. Such fundraising programs or activities shall have prior approval of the President or the Dean of Student Success, have an MTI advisor overseeing the fundraising efforts, serve the educational goals of MTI and be used for the direct benefit of the students or MTI programs. In addition, the Student Organization Fundraising Application must be completed and submitted to the Dean of Student Success for approval at least two weeks prior to the event. (See MTI Policy 1084.)

Distance Education

MTI believes that distance education courses can be an effective means of instruction for students, providing increased accessibility and flexibility in the delivery of instruction. Programs and courses delivered online will be consistent with MTI’s instructional goals, curriculum frameworks and assessments, and will meet program standards. MTI expects that a student’s submitted work (assignments, quizzes, tests, reports, etc.) will be that of the student’s own work. MTI will assure the integrity of its distance education coursework through the methods of proctored testing, secure log-ins, and/or pass codes. These processes will protect the student’s privacy and assure that the students who register in such courses are the same students that participate in, complete, and receive credit for the courses. See Policy MTI 977.

Smoking/Tobacco Use

Mitchell Technical Institute is a tobacco/smoke free campus in all buildings, building interior and exterior entrances, and MTI vehicles. Outside designated smoking areas will be provided at each MTI building. These are the only locations where tobacco and smoking is permitted. “Tobacco Restricted” means there are designated tobacco use areas available at each campus building. This includes all tobacco and smoking type products, including e-cigarettes. Disciplinary action may result for students who do not follow this regulation. (See Policy MTI 518.)

Drug and Alcohol Conduct Guidelines

It is the goal of Mitchell Technical Institute to provide a drug and alcohol-free environment. MTI students shall not be involved with the use, possession, or sale of drugs, alcohol, or any controlled substances in any manner that may impair any person’s ability to perform assigned tasks or otherwise adversely impact their behavior. MTI does not endorse or sponsor alcoholic beverages at any campus or school-related event. Furthermore, no student shall possess alcoholic beverages in the workplace, classroom, laboratory, vehicle, or at any intramural sports event, class trip, or campus function or consume beverages in association with said places during working, classroom, laboratory, or vehicle operating hours or at any time prior to performing safety-sensitive functions which may impair that person’s ability to perform their duties. (See also Policy MTI 1035.)

These guidelines will be interpreted, administered, and amended by MTI as necessary within its discretion.

Reasonable Suspicion

MTI practices zero tolerance for drug or alcohol use by students while in classrooms, labs, or safety-sensitive areas. When an instructor, supervisor or administrator observes a student with behavior or an appearance that is characteristic of alcohol or drug use, the student will be required to submit to drug or alcohol testing. The student will be immediately suspended from school until test results are received. The Institute is responsible for the cost of this test.

Positive Test Results

A student with a positive test result will meet with the Director of Student Services or designee to determine disciplinary and treatment options that the student must follow in order to be reinstated into school. MTI’s intent is to establish a positive environment in which these problems can be addressed locally in a helpful and supportive rather than a punitive way.

If a student tests positive for alcohol (0.02 or higher), the student will be removed from classes and taken home. A breath alcohol test administered the following day must be considered negative for alcohol concentration before the student may return to classes. If a student tests positive for alcohol in a subsequent follow-up test, the student will be referred to a substance abuse professional (SAP) and must complete a prescribed treatment plan and follow-up testing in order to remain enrolled at MTI. The student can continue to attend classes until such time as they can meet with the SAP as long as they test negative on alcohol tests that will be administered daily. The student is responsible for the cost of the initial referral to a SAP. The student will be responsible for the cost of any follow-up counseling or treatment and any follow-up drug testing.

If a student tests positive for drug use, the student will be immediately suspended from school while the results are reviewed. All positive tests for drug use (refusal to submit to a test or an altered specimen is considered a positive test result) will be reviewed by a medical review officer who is a licensed physician with knowledge of substance abuse disorders. The medical review officer will interpret and evaluate the results of each test, along with relevant medical information about each student, to determine whether or not a positive test resulted. The medical review officer will contact the student whose test is positive or whose test has been altered or refused. MTI will also be contacted by the medical review officer.

Based on the medical review officer’s review of a positive drug test, the student will be required to meet with a substance abuse professional (SAP) to determine the counseling or treatment plan the student must follow to remain enrolled at MTI. The student would also be subject to unannounced follow-up testing as determined by the SAP in order to remain in classes. The student is responsible for the cost of the initial referral to a SAP. The student will be responsible for the cost of any follow-up counseling or treatment and any follow-up drug testing.

Rules for Programs with Required Drug and Alcohol Testing

Students who are enrolled in programs with required drug and alcohol testing will be subject to pre-screen and random drug testing according to MTI administrative rules herein described. These rules will be interpreted, administered, and amended by MTI as necessary within its discretion.

Pre-Screening Requirement

MTI requires that a pre-screening for controlled substances be administered to all students who are enrolled in programs with required drug and alcohol testing. MTI will make arrangements for all students enrolled in these programs to be pre-screened using a urine test during the first ten days of school. The cost of the pre-screen test is included in the students’ fees.

Any student who refuses to submit to the pre-screening test will be dismissed from the program.

Random Testing

Students enrolled in programs with required drug and alcohol testing will be subjected to random urine drug testing and breath alcohol testing throughout their enrollment in the program. After the pre-screen is conducted, the students’ names will be entered into a selection pool for random testing; the students’ names will remain in the pool while enrolled in the program. Random selection is done without bias and includes all persons whether previously tested or not. All students in the selection pool are subject to repeat testing.

MTI has presently contracted with a private entity for random selection and testing. Random selections will be completed each quarter, and an appointed contact person within the Institute will be notified of the date for random testing. All random testing will be unannounced and reasonably spread throughout the year. Testing will be completed as soon as possible after the student is notified of a pending test. A student will never receive prior notice of the testing date and time. Any medical condition restricting the student’s ability to perform a urine drug test or breath alcohol test must be documented by a medical physician and recorded in that student’s file.

Test Procedures

Urine specimens will be used to test for drugs using a standard 10 panel drug test. The drug test will look for amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cocaine metabolite, opiates, phencyclidine, methadone, methaqualone, propoxyphene, marijuana metabolite, and creatinine. Specimen collection, handling, and testing procedures will be conducted according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the National Institute for Drug Abuse (NIDA) guidelines. To ensure the accuracy of drug test results, the Institute will utilize a third party laboratory that conforms to DHHS and NIDA guidelines. A breath alcohol test will be used to test for alcohol use.

Positive Test Results

If a student tests positive for alcohol (0.02 or higher), the student will be removed from classes and taken home. A breath alcohol test administered the following day must be considered negative for alcohol concentration before the student may return to classes. If a student tests positive for alcohol in a subsequent follow-up test, the student will be referred to a substance abuse professional (SAP) and must complete a prescribed treatment plan and follow-up testing in order to remain enrolled in the program at MTI. The student can continue to attend classes until such time as they can meet with the SAP as long as they test negative on alcohol tests that will be administered daily. The student is responsible for the cost of the initial referral to a SAP. The student will be responsible for the cost of any follow-up counseling or treatment and any follow-up drug testing.

All positive tests for drug use (refusal to submit to a test or an altered specimen is considered a positive test result) will be reviewed by a medical review officer who is a licensed physician with knowledge of substance abuse disorders. The medical review officer will interpret and evaluate the results of each test, along with relevant medical information about each student, to determine whether or not a positive test resulted. The medical review officer will contact the student whose test is positive or whose test has been altered or refused. MTI will also be notified of a positive test result.

If a student tests positive for drug use, the student will be immediately suspended from school until MTI receives results from the review by the medical review officer. Based on the medical review officer’s report of a positive drug test, the student will be required to meet with a substance abuse professional (SAP) to determine the counseling or treatment plan the student must follow to remain enrolled at MTI. The student would also be subject to unannounced follow-up testing as determined by the SAP in order to remain in classes. The student is responsible for the cost of the initial referral to a SAP. The student will be responsible for the cost of any follow-up counseling or treatment and any follow-up drug testing.

When the student has completed the treatment plan as outlined by the substance abuse professional, the student’s name will be returned to the selection pool for random drug testing as long as the student remains enrolled in the program.

Zero Tolerance Program

The Power Line Construction & Maintenance program at MTI is a zero-tolerance program regarding a positive drug test. If the results of a positive drug test are confirmed by a medical review officer and are not the result of medication currently prescribed to the student, the student will be dismissed from the program. The zero-tolerance policy is consistent with industry standards and is recommended by industry.

Threats of Terrorism (South Dakota Codified Law)

22-8-12. Act of Terrorism, Felony: Any person who commits a crime of violence, as defined by subdivision 22-1-2(9), or an act dangerous to human life involving any use of chemical, biological, or radioactive material, or any explosive or destructive device, with the intent to do any of the following:

Intimidate or coerce a civilian population;
Influence the policy or conduct of any government or nation;
Affect the conduct of any government or nation by assassination or kidnaping; or
Substantially impair or interrupt public communications, public transportation, common carriers, public utilities, or other public services; is guilty of an act of terrorism. A violation of this section is a Class C felony.

22-8-13. Terriorist Threat, Felony: Any person who threatens to commit a crime of violence, as defined by subdivision 22-1-2(9), or an act dangerous to human life involving any use of chemical, biological, or radioactive material, or any explosive or destructive device, with the intent to:

Intimidate or coerce a civilian population;
Influence the policy or conduct of any government or nation;
Affect the conduct of any government or nation; Or
Substantially impair or interrupt public communications, public transportation, common carriers, public utilities, or other public services;

is guilty of making a terrorist threat. A violation of this section is a Class 5 felony.

22-14A-26. Persons Convicted of Certain Crimes May Be Ordered to Make Restitution: The court may, after conviction or adjudication of any violation of § 22-11-9.2, 22-14A-24, or 22-14A-25, conduct a hearing to ascertain the extent of costs incurred, damages, and financial loss suffered by local, county, or state public safety agencies, and the amount of property damage caused as a result of the crime. A person found guilty of violating § 22-11-9.2, 22-14A-24, or 22-14A-25, may upon conviction, be ordered to make restitution to the local, county, or state public service agency for any cost incurred, damages, and financial loss or property damage sustained as a result of the commission of the crime.

22-14A-27. No Cause of Action Against Good Faith Response to Terrorist Act: The provisions of § 22-11-9.2, 22-14A-24, or 22-14A-25 may not be construed to create any cause of action against any person based upon or arising out of any act or omission relating to any good faith response to a felonious threat or an attempted felonious threat.

Appropriate Use of Information Technology Resources

The MTI community understands that information technology has become an integral resource in fulfilling our mission of teaching, learning, research, public service, and administrative responsibilities. The Institute therefore encourages students, faculty, and staff to acquire computer literacy and technological skill. Computers and networks empower us openly to find, consider, and disseminate information developed at MTI and elsewhere; to communicate and collaborate with others near and far; and to build the technological skills base on which the twenty-first century depends. With this empowerment, however, comes commensurate responsibility. Each of us is obliged to support and abide by the ethical and legal standards that apply to information technology, including rights of authorship, confidentiality, privacy, and dissemination. In doing so, we respect the codes of honesty, integrity, and intellectual freedom upon which institutions of higher learning rely.

Usage Consistent with Law

Usage of MTI computing resources shall be consistent with local, state, and federal law.

Copyright Law

It is the policy of MTI to respect the ownership of all intellectual material protected by copyright laws.

Users shall not make or use illegal copies of copyrighted materials, store such copies on Institute systems, or transmit them over Institute networks.

Summary of Civil and Criminal Penalties for Violation of Federal Copyright Laws

Copyright infringement is the act of exercising, without permission or legal authority, one or more of the exclusive rights granted to the copyright owner under section 106 of the Copyright Act (Title 17 of the United States Code). These rights include the right to reproduce or distribute a copyrighted work. In the file-sharing context, downloading or uploading substantial parts of a copyrighted work without authority constitutes an infringement.

For more information, please see the Web site of the U.S. Copyright Office at www.copyright.gov, especially their FAQ’s at www.copyright.gov/help/faq.

Systems Security

Compliance with policies that ensure the security and integrity of all campus information systems is mandatory and critical to ensure continuing provision of computer resources to the entire MTI community.

User Accounts

The Institute owns the computer facilities, resources, and accounts. The Office of Technology must approve all access to central computer systems, including the issuing of passwords. Access to administrative systems is limited.

All MTI students and employees are eligible to receive a computer system account. Members of employees’ families, who are not members of one of the above categories, are not eligible for computer system accounts.

Only the Director of Technology may grant others access to MTI electronic resources and then only in those cases where the activity will significantly benefit the Institute as a whole.

Users shall not provide false or misleading information to obtain access to computing resources or facilities.

Responsibility for Security of Accounts

An account is given to an individual for the exclusive use by that individual. It is against Institute policy for a user to give someone his or her password or allow others to use his or her account. However, this is not to preclude others temporarily assisting a user in the performance of his or her Institute functions (for example faculty helping a student with a computer project; associates showing a new feature of the computer system) while supervised by the user. Users are responsible for all activity on their accounts.

Attempting to discover another user’s password or attempts to gain unauthorized access to another person’s files or mail is prohibited. The only exception will be when authorized technology personnel are working on the security of the computer system.

Circumvention of Network Security

Users shall not attempt to circumvent or subvert system or network security measures.

Confidentiality and Privacy

Users of MTI’s electronic resources should not consider this usage to be confidential. Electronic communications are in many cases archived with federal law and are subject to review by administration or their designee. MTI does require confidentiality in regard to the public release of certain information under FERPA, HIPAA, and other legal requirements and local policy.

Interception of Network traffic

Users shall not intercept network traffic for any purpose unless engaged in authorized network administrative duties.

Damage or Disruption

Users may not damage computer systems or knowingly cause disruptions in its operations or use. Users shall not use the network to disrupt network users, services or equipment. Disruptions include, but are not limited to, distribution of unapproved advertising, propagation of computer “worms” and viruses, and sustained high volume network traffic that substantially hinders others in their use of the network.

Personal Gain

Users shall not use the computer systems for personal gain such as selling access to a USER ID or by performing work for profit with Institute resources in a manner not authorized by the Institute.

Excessive Use

Users shall refrain from monopolizing systems, overloading networks with excessive data or wasting computer time, connect time, disk space, printer paper, manuals or other resources.

Nonessential use of Laboratory Resources

Because public Institute computer laboratory resources are limited, nonessential use of these resources is discouraged. When others are waiting for computer laboratory resources to complete class assignments, they may preempt people using resources for nonessential purposes.

Billable services

Users shall assume responsibility for any charges associated with billable services unless appropriate authorization has been obtained.

Acceptable Uses of Electronic Mail

Electronic mail may be used for a wide variety of on- and off-campus communication. Examples include professional communications, notices of Institute activities, personal correspondence, actions and scheduling of Institute and faculty committees, administration and board activities, announcement of Institute policies and schedules, and Institute announcements.

System-Provided Mailing Lists

Only messages relating to Institute activities should be sent to the system-provided mailing lists, e.g., All Users, All Faculty, All Staff, etc. Such mailing lists are for notification of Institute events, communication of official Institute messages, and notification of bulletin board discussions. System-provided mailing lists shall not be used for “classified ads” (e.g., “For Sale,” “For Lease,” etc.) or “free items” (e.g., free kittens, free books, etc.). Users shall not use the system-provided mailing lists for commercial or partisan political purposes.

Guidelines

To determine if sending to a mailing list is appropriate please refer to these questions. If your answer is NO, the e-mail should not be sent to an MTI distribution group. If you cannot answer the questions, please contact the Director of Communications for further guidance.

Does the e-mail pertain to all MTI employees or students?
Is the e-mail or event sponsored by or directly supported by MTI?

Also, remember that the distribution system may not be used to sell items or to solicit monetary donations unless the event is sponsored by or directly supported by MTI.

Students are not allowed access to Institute distribution lists without permission of the Associate to the President/Chief Communications Officer.

User-created Mailing Lists

Users may also create their own mailing lists. When creating and using a mailing list, users shall ensure that everyone on the list agrees to be included on the list.

Unacceptable Uses of Electronic Mail

Electronic mail is not to be used for the following:

commercial ventures
personal profit
solicitations for contributions for non-Institute sponsored entities
chain letters
“pyramid schemes”
any activity inconsistent with MTI policies
or any illegal activity or unlawful purpose.

Users shall not use email to harass or intimidate another person. (See Policy MTI 115 for the full harassment policy.)

Cyber Bullying

Cyber bullying is a form of harassment over the Internet or other forms of electronic communications, including cell phones. Students and staff will refrain from using communication devices or Mitchell Technical Institute property to harass or stalk one another. Mitchell Technical Institute’s computer network and the Internet, whether accessed at school or away from school, during or after school hours, may not be used for the purpose of cyber bullying. All forms of cyber bullying are unacceptable and viewed as a violation Mitchell Technical Institute’s acceptable computer use policy and procedures.

Users are responsible for the appropriateness of the materials they transmit. Hate mail, harassment, discriminatory remarks, or other anti-social behaviors are expressly prohibited.

Cyber bullying includes, but is not limited to the following misuses of technology: harassing, teasing, intimidating, threatening, or terrorizing another person by sending or posting inappropriate and hurtful e-mail messages, instant messages, text messages, digital pictures or images, or website postings, including blogs. It is also recognized that the author (poster or sender) of the inappropriate material is often disguised (logged on) as someone else.

Students and community members, who believe they have been victims of such misuses of technology, as described in this policy, should not erase the offending material from the systems. A copy of the material should be brought to the attention of the MTI Title IX Coordinator in the MTI Administrative office.

Malicious use of Mitchell Technical Institute’s computer system to develop programs or to institute practices that harass other users to gain unauthorized access to any entity on the system and/or change the components of an entity on the network is prohibited.

Intellectual Freedom

MTI recognizes the right of all users to use resources of their choosing. Computer resources are available for the interest, information, and enlightenment of the MTI community. Information will not be proscribed, censored, or removed by the Institute because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval. In compliance with Child Internet Protection Act, MTI does provide a content filtering system that prevents the viewing of pornographic material and reserves the right to block peer to peer file sharing that consumes bandwidth required for instructional purposes.

Respect for Rights of Others

Computer users at MTI have a responsibility to be aware of materials that may be objectionable to others when using computer facilities in public areas. Monitors and printers in public areas, such as open access computer labs and offices that more than one person may share, should not be used to display or print materials that might be defined as harassing or disruptive. Users are reminded that any state and federal laws dealing with these or related matters apply to MTI facilities and are encouraged to use good judgment.

Enforcement and Penalties

The Director of Technology is responsible for administering and enforcing this policy. Questions concerning this policy should be directed in writing to the Director of Technology.

Violations of these policies shall be reported in writing to the Director of Technology. When potential damage to Institute computing resources or data is immediate, the Director of Technology may suspend the alleged violator’s access to such resources immediately. Notice of such suspension shall be communicated to the alleged violator. Ordinarily the Director of Technology will discuss the alleged violation with parties involved and/or the individual’s supervisor, instructor, or dean, as appropriate. If the problem cannot be resolved, the Director of Technology may refer alleged violations of this policy to the appropriate administrator or judicial body.

If a Web page mounted on an Institute computing resource, in the opinion of the Director of Technology, violates this Appropriate Use Policy or the Web Page Policy, access to that Web page may be temporarily suspended pending prompt adjudication of the matter as described in the paragraph above.

Any violations of the policies included in this document may result in penalties as described below. Students may face review for disciplinary actions. These may include, but are not limited to, the suspension of or loss of access to Institute computer resources, suspension or expulsion from the Institute, and referral to law enforcement.

Faculty and staff may face review for disciplinary action as described in the MTI Personnel Handbook. These may include, but are not limited to, the suspension of or loss of access to Institute computer resources, and other penalties listed in the Handbook or Manual including possible termination of employment by the Institute. Appeals from penalties assessed under this policy will follow the appropriate grievance procedure as stated in the Faculty Handbook.

Student Laptop Computers on Campus

Required by Program – Full Access

Students who purchase computers from MTI for use in their programs will have full use of the campus network services. This includes, but is not limited to, wireless network connectivity, printing, and other services provided by MTI. The laptops are distributed and supported by the MTI Information Technology Office.

Bring your own Device – Full Access

Students enrolled in programs that require a laptop but are not provided by MTI gain access to our network through our Cisco Network Access Control (NAC) client. The client is self-service and can be installed at your leisure. Current system updates and current anti-virus definitions are required to have full network access. Systems that do not meet these requirements will not be accepted onto the network until those conditions are met.

The MTI Acceptable Computer Use policy applies to all laptop computers used on the MTI network.

MTI Student E-mail Policy

E-mail is considered an official method for communication at MTI because it delivers information in a convenient, timely, cost effective, and environmentally aware manner.

For the majority of the student population, this MTI Student E-mail Policy does not represent a change from current practice. However, the policy does ensure that all students have access to this important form of communication. Furthermore, it ensures that students can be accessed through a standardized channel by faculty and other staff of the Institute as needed.

Institute Use of E-mail

E-mail is an official method for communication at MTI. The Institute may send communications to students via e-mail. Students are responsible for the consequences of not reading in a timely fashion Institute-related communications sent to their official MTI student e-mail account.

Application for Student E-mail Accounts

All students taking classes that meet on the MTI campus are required to obtain an official MTI student e-mail account. A student e-mail account created by the Office of Technology is the official e-mail address to which the Institute will send e-mail communications. This official address will be recorded in the Institute’s electronic directories and records for that student.

Expectations Regarding Student Use of E-mail

Students are expected to check their MTI official e-mail on a frequent and consistent basis in order to remain informed of Institute-related communications. The Institute recommends checking e-mail at least twice per week.

Responsibility for Security of Accounts

Attempting to discover another user’s password or attempts to gain unauthorized access to another person’s files or mail is prohibited. The only exception will be when technology personnel are working on the security of the computer system.

In the event a student loses or forgets a password, there will be a $5.00 charge to change a password. All password changes will be made by the Office of Technology.

Faculty Expectations and Educational Uses of E-mail

Since faculty members determine how e-mail is used in their classes, faculty can require students to check their e-mail on a specific or more frequent basis. Messages sent to Institute-provided aliases of official MTI student e-mail addresses are also considered official communication.

Appropriate Use of Student E-mail

In general, e-mail is not appropriate for transmitting sensitive or confidential information.

All use of e-mail will be consistent with other Institute policies, including the MTI Policy on the Appropriate Use of Information Technology Resources.

All use of e-mail will be consistent with local, state, and federal law, including provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) and all subsequent amendments to the original act.

Communications sent to a student’s official MTI e-mail address may include notification of Institute-related actions.

Redirecting E-mail

Students may elect to redirect (autoforward) messages sent to their MTI official student e-mail address. Students who redirect e-mail from their official address to another address (such as AOL, Yahoo, Hotmail, or any e-mail server other than the official MTI servers) do so at their own risk. Having e-mail lost as a result of redirection does not absolve a student from the responsibilities associated with communication sent to his or her official e-mail address. The Institute is not responsible for the handling of e-mail by outside vendors or unofficial servers.

Changes to this policy will be authorized by approval of the administrators of the Institute. Questions or comments about this policy should be directed to the Director of Technology.