Sample Acceptable Use Agreements

The following are samples of agreements that organizations can refer to as they develop Information and Technology Security Agreements and Internet Acceptable Use Agreements for students, staff, contractors, and other individuals who are to be given access to equipment, information, or networks. These samples have been compiled from existing agreements that are currently in use in schools and local education agencies. The conditions they specify may or may not be applicable to all potential readers, and are, therefore, presented only as a resource. They do not in any way represent a standard or an agreed-upon convention.

Information and Technology Security Agreements

These sample Information and Technology Security Agreements do not take the place of security policies, guidelines, and procedures that are customized to meet the specific needs of the organization (the development of which is detailed throughout the body of the document). In fact, precisely the opposite is true. The following agreements are designed to certify that the signer acknowledges that relevant security policies, guidelines, and procedures have been developed by the organization and subsequently presented to the signer in a clear and meaningful way that outlines what their security responsibilities will be. These agreements are, therefore, simply the formal mechanisms by which the signer acknowledges that he or she is aware of the information and technology security policies, guidelines, and procedures, and agrees to abide by them.

Employee Information and Technology Security Agreement

I acknowledge that [name of organization]'s information and technology security policies, guidelines, and procedures have been made available to me for adequate review and consideration. I also certify that I have been given ample opportunity to have any and all questions about my responsibilities addressed. I am, therefore, aware that I am accountable for information and technology security procedures as they govern the acceptable performance of my job. I understand that failure to abide by any and all policies, guidelines, and procedures can result in organizational, civil, or criminal action and/or the termination of my employment.

Signature: ___________________________________    Printed Name: _______________________________

Job Title: ___________________________________    Date: ______/_____/______

Contractor/Consultant/Outsider Information and Technology Security Agreement

I acknowledge that [name of organization] has provided me with adequate time to review and consider the information and technology security policies, guidelines, and procedures it deems applicable to responsibilities I am undertaking on behalf of [name of organization], regardless of my employment status. I also certify that I have been given ample opportunity to have any and all questions about my responsibilities addressed. I am, therefore, aware that I am accountable for those information and technology security procedures as they relate to my work for, or on the behalf of, [name of organization]. I understand that failure to abide by any and all policies, guidelines, and procedures can result in organizational, civil, or criminal action and/or the termination of my relationship with [name of organization].

Signature: ___________________________________ Printed Name: _______________________________

Affiliation: ___________________________________ Date: ______/______/______

Internet Acceptable Use Agreements

The following sample Internet Acceptable Use Agreements specify common requirements and prohibitions for Internet use by (1) organization staff, (2) high school students, and (3) elementary, middle, or junior high students. A sample Parent/Guardian Internet Permission Letter is also included and should accompany any Acceptable Use Agreements given to minors (i.e., most students).

Staff Guidelines for Acceptable Internet Use

The following statements guide acceptable staff use of Internet resources:

1. Staff must sign a valid Employee Information and Technology Security Agreement that affirms that they acknowledge and agree to abide by all organizational policies, guidelines, and procedures that govern computer, network, Internet, and information use.

2. Staff may not damage or mistreat equipment or facilities under any circumstances.

3. Staff may not intentionally waste computer resources.

4. Staff may not employ the network for personal financial gain or commercial purposes.

5. Staff may not violate regulations prescribed by the network provider.

6. Staff may not engage in practices that threaten the integrity of the network (e.g., knowingly download files that contain a virus).

7. Staff may not engage in personal business that is unrelated to the mission of the organization or the performance of their job.

8. Staff may not write, use, send, download, or display obscene, threatening, harassing, or otherwise offensive messages or pictures, including pornography.

9. Staff may not use the equipment or network for any illegal activities, including the violation of copyright laws and software piracy.

10. Staff may not load or copy any software or other programs to or from organizational equipment unless permission is explicitly granted by an authorized party (e.g., the network administrator or technology committee).

11. Staff may not use anyone else's password, nor may they share their password with others.

12. Staff may not trespass into anyone else's folders, documents, or files.

13. Staff may not disclose anyone else's personal information (e.g., address, phone number, or confidential information), including and especially that belonging to students, community members and families, or fellow employees. Staff should also be aware that communication over a network is frequently recognized as public by its very nature. Therefore, general rules and standards for professional behavior and communications will apply at all times. In an effort to maintain system integrity and to ensure responsible use, files and communications can and will be monitored. Staff should not under any circumstances expect that messages or files that are created, modified, transmitted, received, or stored on organizational equipment are private.

Staff Member: "I have read these Staff Guidelines for Acceptable Internet Use and agree to use the Internet and all associated equipment and information in a way that is consistent with these guidelines. I understand that failure to do so will result in the loss of my Internet privileges and other disciplinary action as deemed appropriate by organizational officials."

Signature: _____________________________________

Printed Name: _____________________________________

Date: ______/______/______

High School Student Guidelines for Acceptable Internet Use*

Access to computer, network, and Internet equipment and software at [name of organization] offers students an almost unlimited source of resources and information to support their educational development. Under staff supervision, students will have the privilege of searching the Internet for expert resources, communicating with other students from around the world, and participating in various distance-learning activities. But with the use of these powerful tools comes great responsibility. Access to these resources is a privilege, not a right. Students are advised that some Internet sites may contain offensive or inappropriate information, messages, and pictures for an educational setting. [Name of organization] does not condone or permit the use of such material. Therefore, access to the Internet is granted only on the condition that a student agrees to be accountable for appropriate use of these resources. In addition to all information and technology security policies, guidelines, and procedures that govern computer and network use at [name of organization], the following statements guide acceptable use of Internet resources by all high school students:

1. Students may not use equipment or facilities in a way that is inconsistent with the general rules of conduct that govern student behavior at [name of organization].

2. Students may not damage or mistreat equipment or facilities under any circumstances.

3. Students may not intentionally waste computer resources.

4. Students may not employ the network for personal financial gain or commercial purposes.

5. Students may not violate regulations prescribed by the network provider.

6. Students may not engage in practices that threaten the integrity of the network (e.g., knowingly download files that contain a virus).

7. Students may not write, use, send, download, or display obscene, threatening, harassing, or otherwise offensive messages or pictures, including pornography.

8. Students may not use the equipment or network for any illegal activities, including the violation of copyright laws and/or software piracy.

9. Students may not load or copy any software or other programs to or from organizational equipment.

10. Students may not use anyone else's password, nor may they share their password with others.

11. Students may not trespass into or in any way alter anyone else's folders, documents, or files.

12. Students may not disclose anyone's personal information (e.g., address, phone number, or confidential information), including their own or that belonging to a fellow student, community members and families, or staff member.

    Students should be advised that in an effort to maintain system integrity and to ensure responsible use, files and communications can and will be monitored. Students should not under any circumstances expect that messages or files that are created, modified, transmitted, received, or stored on organizational equipment are private. Students who violate any of the above conditions will be subject to the suspension or termination of their Internet and computing privileges, as well as other disciplinary action as determined appropriate by school officials.

Student: "I have read these Student Guidelines for Acceptable Internet Use and agree to use the Internet and all associated equipment and information in a way that is consistent with these policies. I understand that failure to do so will result in the loss of my Internet privileges and/or other disciplinary action as deemed appropriate by school officials."

Signature: _____________________________________

Printed Name: _____________________________________

Date: ______/______/______

*This agreement should be accompanied by a signed and dated Parent/Guardian Internet Permission Letter.

Elementary, Middle, and Junior High School Student Guidelines for Acceptable Internet Use*

Access to the Internet is offered to help students learn. With the help of teachers, the Internet can be used for researching, studying, and communicating. But the Internet also includes some information that is not appropriate for students and the school environment. Therefore, students must agree to behave properly when using this powerful learning tool. The following rules should help a student understand what type of behavior is expected of Internet users.

1. Students must be kind and polite when using the Internet.

2. Students must use Internet equipment only for school-related activities.

3. Students may use the Internet only when they have permission from a teacher.

4. Students should not damage or mistreat computer equipment under any circumstances. This includes trying to "fix" plugs, cables, or other parts of the equipment. Leave that to your teacher.

5. Students should not access files that do not belong to them.

6. Students should not copy, download, or install any software or programs to or from school computers.

7. Students must not write, send, download, or display obscene, threatening, harassing, or otherwise harmful messages or pictures.
8. Students must not share their personal address, phone number, or any other contact information over the Internet. They must not share information about other people either, including friends, fellow students, or teachers.

9. Students should be aware that e-mail and Internet use can and will be monitored and therefore is not private.

10. Students must obey all rules that normally govern their behavior at school when using the Internet.

Student: "I have read or been read these Student Guidelines for Acceptable Internet Use and agree to use the Internet in a way that is consistent with these policies. I understand that failure to do so will result in the loss of my Internet privileges and/or other disciplinary action as deemed appropriate by school officials."

Student Signature: _____________________________________

Printed Name: _____________________________________

Date: ______/______/______

*This agreement should be accompanied by a signed and dated Parent/Guardian Internet Permission Letter

Parent/Guardian Internet Permission Letter*

Dear Parent/Guardian,

We are pleased to offer students at [insert name of organization] access to the Internet. The Internet is a global computer network that is used by educators, students, government, business, and a host of other organizations and individuals to communicate electronically. As a learning resource, the Internet is similar to books, magazines, video, CD-ROM, and other information sources, except that it quite literally enables students to explore countless numbers of computers, networks, libraries, and databases from throughout the world. Use of the Internet for educational purposes will assist students in identifying resources, gathering information, and developing the technical skills they will need for life and work in the twenty first century.

It must be made clear, however, that although your child's use of the Internet will be supervised, we cannot guarantee that a student will not be able to access information that you might consider to be objectionable. Therefore, it is imperative that both students and their parents be aware of each individual student's responsibility for ethical and appropriate Internet use. Just as students are expected to behave properly in the classroom and school hallways, they will also be required to behave responsibly while using school computers and networks. Technical resources are provided to help students meet their information needs within the context of teacher-planned assignments and school-sponsored activities. Access to these resources, however, is a privilege, not a right. It is permitted only on the condition that a student agrees to act in a responsible manner. School staff reserve the right to suspend or terminate the use of the Internet by any student who violates these policies. Similarly, Internet use is subject to all policies and regulations that govern student behavior in other school activities.

Please review the attached Student Guidelines for Acceptable Internet Use agreement that your child will be required to read and sign before being granted Internet access. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to discuss your family's values with your child and how they, too, should affect Internet use. Please feel free to contact [name and title of organizational contact person] at [contact information] if you have any questions about Internet use or Internet policies at [name of organization]. You are not required to grant permission for your child to access the Internet, but we firmly believe that Internet use in an approved educational setting, with specific educational objectives, and under appropriate supervision will prove to be a positive learning experience for your child.

Parent/Guardian: "I have read this letter and the Student Guidelines for Acceptable Internet Use, and give permission for my son/daughter to use the Internet at [name of organization]."

Parent/Guardian Signature: ____________________________________

Printed Name: ____________________________________

Date: ____/____/____

Student: "I have read or been read the Student Guidelines for Acceptable Internet Use as attached and agree to use the Internet in a way that is consistent with these policies. I understand that failure to abide by these policies will result in the loss of my Internet privileges and/or other disciplinary action as deemed appropriate by school officials."

Student Signature: _____________________________________

Printed Name: _____________________________________

Date: ____/____/____

*Any minor should present written permission from a parent/guardian before receiving access the Internet.