A. General

Principle

The principles of academic freedom apply to academic computer systems. Computer polices of Sweet Briar College are consistent with general university codes and widely accepted statements on academic freedom such as the Joint Statement on Rights and Freedoms of Students. (Appendix A)

B. Policy Formulation

Sweet Briar College has an obligation to clarify those standards of behavior which it considers essential to its educational mission and its community life. These general behavioral expectations and the resultant specific regulations represent a reasonable regulation of conduct, but the computer should be as free as possible from imposed limitations that have no direct relevance to her education or to the pursuit of the business of the college. Offenses should be as clearly defined as possible and interpreted in a manner consistent with the aforementioned principles of relevance and reasonableness. Disciplinary proceedings will be instituted only for violations of standards of conduct formulated with significant community participation and published in advance through the generally available body of institutional regulations.

C. Student and Faculty Discipline

Principle

Suspension or expulsion from a computer is a serious penalty. Users facing these penalties will be given due process protection similar to that given to those facing other serious penalties as delineated in Faculty Rulings and the Student Handbook.

Interpretation

"Pending action on the charges, the status of a user and her files/data should not be altered, or her right to be present on the campus and to attend classes [and use computers] suspended, except for reasons relating to his physical or emotional safety and well being, or for reasons relating to the safety and well-being of students, faculty, or college property." [Joint Statement]

D. Privacy

Principle

Personal files on college computers (for example, files in a user's home directory or on a personal computer connected to the college network) should have the same privacy protection as personal files in dormitory space or living space assigned by the college. Private communications via computer should have the same protections as private communications via telephone.

E. Computer Expression

Interpretation

"Academic institutions exist for the transmission of knowledge, the pursuit of truth, the development of students, and the general well-being of society. Free inquiry and free expression are indispensable to the attainment of these goals. As members of the academic community, students should be encouraged to develop the capacity for critical judgment and to engage in a sustained and independent search for truth." [Joint Statement]

Principle

The principles of intellectual freedom developed by libraries should be applied to the administration of information material on computers. These principles are explained in such American Library Association documents as the Library Bill of Rights, the Freedom to Read Satement, and the Intellectual Freedom Statement.

Interpretation

Computer sites that offer newsgroups should select newsgroups the way that traditional libraries select magazines and books.

Interpretation

"Every [academic computer] system should have a comprehensive policy on the selection of [information] materials." [ALA Workbook for Selection Policy Writing] However, the mission statement of Sweet Briar College is the primary guiding principle and selection may be affected by institutional policy and the availability of computing resources.

Interpretation

"Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval" [Article 2, Library Bill of Rights].

Principle

The principles of academic freedom applicable to student and faculty publication in traditional media, apply to student and faculty publication in computer media.