DEAN OF STUDENTS OFFICE

COLLEGE POLICIES

Student E-mail Policy

I.         Purpose:     

The Buffalo State campus community is increasingly dependent upon electronic communication among faculty, staff and students.  Because of its convenience, cost-effectiveness and speed, e-mail has replaced much of the paper correspondence of the past.  Because of this acceptance of and reliance upon electronic communication, e-mail is considered an official form of communication at Buffalo State.  A student’s campus-assigned e-mail address will be the only one recognized by the campus for official mailings.

While students have had access to campus e-mail for some time, this policy is intended to ensure that students effectively utilize this efficient form of campus communication.

 

II.        Summary:

This policy includes the following guidelines:

  • Student e-mail addresses
  • Access to e-mail
  • Expectations regarding student use of e-mail
  • Acceptable use

III.       Policy

A.         Student e-mail addresses

Computing and Technology Services (CTS) will assign to all students an official campus e-mail address.  All college e-mail communication will be sent to this address, and this official address is the one that will be listed in the Student Directory.

B.         Access to e-mail

CTS will ensure that student e-mail will be accessible from all networked lab computers on campus, and from any off-campus computer with access to the Internet.

C.         Expectations regarding student use of e-mail

Students are expected to check their campus e-mail on a regular basis.  The college recommends a minimum of once per week, as some communications (such as assignment-related correspondence from faculty) may be time dependent.  Faculty and staff may expect that student's official e-mail addresses are being accessed and may use e-mail for their courses or for providing information to students.

D.        Acceptable use
  • Students must take all reasonable precautions, including safeguarding and changing passwords, to prevent the use of their e-mail accounts by unauthorized individuals.
  • All college use of e-mail will be consistent with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA).
  • E-mail shall not be the sole method of communication of any legal action.
  • E-mail should not be considered appropriate for transmitting sensitive or confidential information.
  E.     Responsible organization

Computing and Technology Services will be responsible for this policy.

 

Policy Date:        February 12, 2002; Revised February 13, 2007