Acceptable Use Policy

This document describes the policies and guidelines for the use of Michigan Virtual for students and Michigan Virtual instructional computing resources and exists to ensure that all users of Michigan Virtual and Michigan Virtual instructional computing resources are aware of and understand their responsibilities when accessing and using these resources. Michigan Virtual reserves the right to update or alter this agreement at any time without notice. Such revisions may substantially alter access to Michigan Virtual instructional computing resources. Michigan Virtual instructional computing resources include any computer, server, software, or transmission system that is owned, operated or leased by Michigan Virtual.

1. Conditions of Use

A. Service Limitations

You are not permitted to associate any Michigan Virtual-provided account, service or course with any adult material of any sort. This includes, but is not limited to, such things as nudity, any site, page, image or service, and any text, image or likeness suggesting sexual and or illegal acts of any sort. We do not permit any Michigan Virtual user account to store, use, contain, promote, or display pornography, anything illegal, bigotry, racism, hatred, profanity, or any material which may be insulting to another person(s) or company, or depicts the exploitation of minors (children under 18 years of age). No spamming is allowed, no harassing, threatening or illegal activities are tolerated. Any user accounts found to be violating these service limitations will be terminated without warning or recourse at the sole discretion of Michigan Virtual.In addition, we do not allow:File Storage — Any User Account found to be storing files for use on other websites will be terminated without notice or recourse, at the sole discretion of Michigan Virtual. User Accounts found to be storing files renamed, or modified in any way, to bypass Michigan Virtual file restrictions will be terminated without notice or recourse, at the sole discretion of Michigan Virtual. The only files that may be stored or uploaded to a Michigan Virtual server are those that directly pertain to the teaching, learning or class activity for which the User Account has been granted access to a Michigan Virtual server or application.Copyrighted or Trademarked materials — No copyrighted or trademarked materials may be stored on Michigan Virtual servers, unless the account owner is the sole legal owner of the Copyright or Trademark and can reasonably demonstrate Ownership or legal permission for use, on demand.Material linked to User Accounts must be appropriate and be able to be legally viewed and used by all ages. User Accounts found to be in violation of any portion of this section can and will be terminated without notice or recourse at the sole discretion of Michigan Virtual. In such cases, where an account is terminated for service violations as detailed in this or the following two sections; no refunds or credit will be offered, and the User acknowledges that their account termination may result in course failure as well as other disciplinary action.

B. Use of Michigan Virtual Servers

Michigan Virtual servers may be used for lawful purposes only. Transmission, storage or distribution of any information, data or material in violation of any applicable law or regulation is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to copyrighted material, trademarks, trade secrets or other intellectual property rights used without proper authorization; material that is obscene, defamatory, constitutes an illegal threat or violates export control laws.

C. Michigan Virtual Network Security

Violations of system or network security are prohibited and may result in criminal and civil liability. Examples include but are not limited to the following: unauthorized access, use, probing or scanning of systems security or authentication measures, data or traffic; interference with service to any user, host or network including, without limitation, mailbombing, flooding, deliberate attempts to overload a system, broadcast attacks; and forging of any TCP-IP packet header or any part of the header information in an email or a newsgroup posting.

2. Policy

Michigan Virtual instructional computing resources are intended solely for Michigan Virtual approved or sponsored activities. Any activity whether listed here or not which violates local, state or federal laws, is a violation of the Michigan Virtual Acceptable Use Policy.

1. Users shall not use Michigan Virtual instructional computing resources for any illegal purpose.
2. Transmission of any material in violation of any federal or state regulation or local ordinances is prohibited.
3. Users shall not upload, download, transmit or post copyrighted software or copyrighted materials, materials protected by trade secrets or other protections using Michigan Virtual computer resources.
4. Users shall not upload, download, transmit or post material that is obscene or defamatory or which is intended to annoy, harass or intimidate another person or has that effect, to a Michigan Virtual-owned computing resource. This includes the using of Michigan Virtual instructional computing resources to distribute “spam” mail, chain email, viruses or other intentionally destructive content.
5. Users shall not upload, download, transmit or post material that is intended for personal gain or profit, non-Michigan Virtual commercial activities, non-Michigan Virtual product advertising or political lobbying on a Michigan Virtual-owned instructional computing resource.
6. Users shall not upload, download, transmit or post material that is intended to consume computer resources, such as disk space, bandwidth or computing cycles, or in any way affect the performance of Michigan Virtual instructional computing resources. This includes attempting to use Michigan Virtual instructional computing resources to relay unauthorized email or serve any file not directly associated with an ongoing instructional purpose.
7. Users shall not attempt to gain unauthorized access to Michigan Virtual instructional computing resources, attempt to gain access to other user’s accounts, or use Michigan Virtual instructional computing resources to attempt to gain unauthorized access to other computing systems, or attempt to cause damage to any Michigan Virtual instructional computing resource, or in any way compromise the security of any Michigan Virtual instructional computing resources.

3. Monitoring

Michigan Virtual reserves the right to review any material transmitted using Michigan Virtual instructional computing resources or posted to a Michigan Virtual instructional computing resource to determine the appropriateness of such material. Michigan Virtual may review this material at any time, with or without notice. Email transmitted via Michigan Virtual instructional computing resources is not private and may be monitored.

4. Network Etiquette

All users of Michigan Virtual instructional computing resources are expected to follow generally accepted rules of network etiquette or netiquette.

5. Security

Security of Michigan Virtual instructional computing resources is a high priority. Users must abide by the following security rules:A. Users shall not attempt in any way to compromise the security of Michigan Virtual instructional computing resources. B. Discovery of any security problem must be reported immediately by sending an email to customercare@michiganvirtual.org, receipt of which will be acknowledged by email, phone or personal contact depending on the severity of the problem. C. Users are responsible for all activity that is associated with their username and password. Do not share your User ID or password with anyone, or leave your password written where others could find it, or send your username and password via unencrypted email. All email, unless specifically secured with other third party tools is unencrypted and able to be intercepted and read by others. D. Do change your password(s) frequently, at least once per semester or course.6. Copyrighted MaterialsMichigan Virtual instructional computing resources contain copyrighted materials of Michigan Virtual and others (collectively, "Content"), including, but not limited to, any images, photographs, animations, video, audio, music, text, computer code or applets incorporated into the Content. All rights in and to the Content that may be accessed through use of Michigan Virtual instructional computing resources are the property of the respective Content owners and may be protected by applicable copyright or other intellectual property laws and treaties. Users may not modify, publish, transmit, participate in the transfer or sale of, create derivative works of, or in any way exploit, in whole or in part, any Content.7. SoftwareMichigan Virtual instructional computing resources are intended solely for course-related activities specific to the intent of the course the student is enrolled in.A. Users shall not upload or post any software on Michigan Virtual instructional computing resources, including web development servers, which is not specifically required and approved for course assignments. Non-approved materials will be removed by the Michigan Virtual staff without notice. B. Users shall not post any MP3 files, compressed video or images unless they are a part of the instructional activities in a Michigan Virtual course, nor load any other non-instructional media files to any Michigan Virtual server.8. ViolationsAny user’s failure to abide by the Michigan Virtual Acceptable Use Policy could result in any or all of the following actions:A. The immediate removal of the user’s access to all Michigan Virtual instructional computing resources. B. The immediate removal of the user from their course(s) and termination of any teaching assignment(s). C. The involvement of law enforcement agencies and subsequent legal action.9. Michigan Virtual Indemnification ProvisionMichigan Virtual assumes no responsibility for Internet access including phone charges, line costs, usage fees, hardware, software, other media, or any other non-specified technology costs associated with a user’s connectivity to the Internet or that may be required to access Michigan Virtual courses or other instructional resources. Michigan Virtual assumes no responsibility for information obtained via the Internet, which may be illegal, defamatory, inaccurate or offensive. Michigan Virtual assumes no responsibility for any damages to the user’s computer system under any circumstances. Users are solely responsible for acquiring and learning to use all required technology needed to access and complete all online Michigan Virtual course activities.10. Michigan Virtual Privacy Policy and Terms of Service StatementAll users of Michigan Virtual instructional computing resources are encouraged to read and fully understand the Michigan Virtual Privacy Policy and Terms of Service Statement.[Last Updated Apri 1, 2017]