ELITE DIRECTION ONLINE CODE OF CONDUCT POLICY
Introduction
Access to Elite Direction Program data and information, and access to accounts, systems, and applications, is based on your need for access and your consent to use that access appropriately. These services are integral to the operation of our remote summer offerings, and security and privacy laws and other policies protect much of the information.
Therefore, before you can be granted access, you must read and agree to follow these acceptable usage standards, and must accept responsibility to preserve the security and confidentiality of information that you access, in any form, including oral, print, or electronic formats. Read the information below carefully. It sets out user responsibilities.
Passwords
Students and parents will all be issued usernames and passwords to be used in accessing their courses and program‐provided online accounts. Students and parents are required to keep any and all of their login information private. Passwords should never be shared with other Elite Direction Program students or with any individuals outside of Elite Direction.
This information is used to identify a student or parent online and to help in the tracking of student progress. Students or parents who suspect that their login information has been accidentally compromised should contact Elite Direction immediately (admin@elitedirection.com) to request a change of password.
E-Mail Accounts
All Elite Direction Program‐related communication will be communicated via e‐mail. Students and parents are required to check their e‐mail account on a regular basis for important communications from Elite Direction or Elite Direction Program teachers. Students or parents should report any problems receiving communication with Elite Direction administration or your Elite Direction Program teacher.
Internet Safety
Elite Direction Programs provide a secure, password‐protected online learning environment for students. All course materials are located within this system. At times, teachers will provide students links to appropriate internet sites for students to do additional research or exploration. At no time will any Elite Direction Program teacher or staff member direct students to an internet site with sexually explicit or other inappropriate internet content. Students should only access internet sites that are approved by Elite Direction Programs. Parents need to be vigilant in monitoring their child’s internet use.
Elite Direction Programs recommend that parents that are providing a home computer for their student to use set parental controls on any account for their home computer to provide internet protection for times when parents may not be working directly with their student. Some practices that can help keep students safe when working online include:
  • keeping student work areas in a public area of the home where their internet use can be more easily monitored,
  • talking with your child about the importance of keeping their personal information private,
  • to only visit internet sites approved by Elite Direction Programs,
  • make use of internet filtering and other programs that track student access to the internet so that parents can periodically review their child’s web surfing habits.
Students or parents who have concerns about internet sites that are required for Elite Direction Programs should contact Elite Direction administration or the Elite Direction Program teacher to report the issue for prompt response.
Submission or Posting of Inappropriate Content
Students are not allowed to submit, post, write about, or otherwise promote any inappropriate content in any of their Elite Direction Program courses. This includes drug‐related content, sexually explicit content, or anything that violates laws or the generally accepted standards of appropriateness for minors.
Use of Language and Images
Students must not use vulgar, obscene, abusive or demeaning language, writing, pictures, signs or acts in written or oral communications, including email, discussion board, virtual classroom, student websites, or in photographs. Students are prohibited from posting content from or links to suggestive, lewd or otherwise inappropriate websites.
Personal Respect
Elite Direction Program administrators, instructors and students know that personal respect is the foundation of learning. Language, comments, or images that show a lack of respect for individuals or groups will lead directly to removal from the virtual classroom. Bullying in any shape or form will not be tolerated in Elite Direction Programs. Repeat offenses with behaviors that show a lack of respect may result in a student being removed from the virtual classroom for the rest of the course or session.
Virtual Classrooom Conduct
In order for a virtual classroom session to be educationally effective for students, all students should abide by a standard set of rules. The following rules govern student conduct in the virtual classroom:
  • Students’ written and oral communications must be free of vulgar, belittling, or offensive language.
  • Students must abide by rules established by the Elite Direction Programs course instructor.
  • Students must comply with usage instructions communicated orally or in writing by the Elite Direction Programs instructor.
  • Students who violate the virtual classroom rules of conduct will be warned by the Elite Direction Programs instructor to correct their behavior.
Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying
No one should be subjected to harassment during Elite Direction Programs for any reason. Therefore, it is Elite Direction Program policy that all students will deal with all persons in ways which convey respect and dignity. Harassment in the form of name‐calling, taunting, gestures, intimidation, conduct, jokes, pictures, slurs or ridicules are prohibited. Such conduct referencing or directed at an individual or group that demeans that person/group on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, creed, age, disability or other extraneous factors is prohibited and shall be grounds for removal from the virtual classroom.
Elite Direction Programs have a zero tolerance policy towards intimidation, harassment, bullying and/or fighting. Intimidation, harassment, bullying, fighting and racial and/or sexual harassment are violent acts against others. These behaviors cannot be tolerated, and the consequence is to be barred from interactions with others. Elite Direction Programs will promptly and thoroughly investigate reports of harassment and bullying, whether of a physical or of a nonphysical form. If it is determined that either has occurred, the organization will act appropriately within the discipline codes of the organization and will take reasonable action to end bullying.
Usage Responsibilities
The following points detail your responsibilities as you access, use, or handle information or information technology during Elite Direction Programs.
Secure Usage
Be mindful that different computer systems and applications provide different levels of protection for information, and seek advice on supplemental security measures, if necessary. For example, a mobile laptop provides inherently less protection than a desktop computer in a locked room. Respect information and system security procedures (i.e., never attempt to circumvent or “go around” security processes). Make appropriate use of the tools provided (e.g., virus detection, training, etc.) to uphold the security of Elite Direction Programs systems and applications, and the confidentiality of information stored on them. For your own safety, take steps to understand “phishing attacks,” computer viruses, and other destructive software, and take steps to protect your accounts from such threats (e.g., never reply to emails asking for account passwords or passphrases, never open unsolicited email attachments, never click unknown links, use virus scanning software, etc.). Secure unattended computers (e.g., log off, lock, or otherwise make inaccessible), even if you will only be away from the computer for a moment.
Legal Usage
  • Respect and comply with all Elite Direction Program copyrights and license agreements.
    • Elite Direction owns all right(s), title, and interest in and to materials and information, including but not limited to course materials, images, text, data, illustrations, photos, audio, video, codes, logos, marketing plans, digital text, research, technical information, know-how, trade secrets, processes, algorithms, code, software, the derivatives thereof, and the selection, coordination and arrangement of such materials that is or was conceived, created, or developed prior to, or independent of the Elite Direction Programs whether they are protected by copyrights, trademarks, service marks, patents, or other proprietary rights, either owned by Elite Direction or licensed to Elite Direction by other parties who own such intellectual property.
    • Elite Direction Programs agree that writer participants will own all rights, titles and interests (including copyright rights) resulting/emerging from lessons and assignments.
  • Never use your access to information to harass, libel, or defame others.
  • Never damage equipment, software, or data belonging to others.
  • Never make unauthorized use of computer accounts, access codes, or devices.
  • Never monitor or disrupt the communications of others, except in the legitimate scope of your assigned Elite Direction Program duties or tasks.
  • Report unauthorized access to, inadequate protection of, and inappropriate use, disclosure, and/or disposal of information, immediately to Elite Direction administration.
Ethical Usage
Access institutional information only in the conduct of Elite Direction Program business and in ways consistent with furthering the Elite Direction’s mission of education and public service.
  • Use information in ways that foster the high ethical standards of the organization.
  • Never use information to engage in academic, personal, or research misconduct.
  • Never access or use institutional information (including public directory information) for your own personal gain or profit, or the personal gain or profit of others, without appropriate authorization.
  • Respect the confidentiality and privacy of individuals whose records you may access.
  • In the event of a server breach or system hacking all individuals using Elite Direction Programs systems must continue to adhere to the code of conduct and report inappropriate content to the course teacher, the Elite Direction organization or a parent or guardian immediately.
Facilitative Usage
Never send mass email (i.e. unsolicited bulk email or spam) without appropriate approval. Never send or respond to chain email.
Disciplinary Action
Failure to comply with these standards will be dealt with seriously, and may result in disciplinary actions, including but not limited to withdrawal from Elite Direction Programs.
Assent
To be entrusted with access to Elite Direction Program data and information, and access to IT accounts, systems, and applications, new or continuing students and affiliates must accept these responsibilities and standards of acceptable use. By accepting these terms, you agree to follow these rules in all of your interactions.