Washington State University Vancouver ePortfolio Information and Consent

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Computing resources and network access for ePortfolios are provided to support the University's goals of instruction, research and extension. Any use of WSU computing and network resources must be in accordance with current federal, and state laws and university regulations and policies. Misuse of any computing resources can result in termination of access privileges, disciplinary actions and/or civil and criminal penalties. An appropriate use policy is available at: http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/vis/online/html/web_use.htm

What is an ePortfolio?

An ePortfolio is a collection of electronically prepared documents that students create for use within their courses. Within a specific course, only you will initially be able to access your documents. At some later point in the course, instructors will require that you permit them and possibly other students to access the documents for learning purposes only.

The Benefits of an ePortfolio

One of the ePortfolio's greatest benefits is that it allows you to easily share documents within the internet community. In addition to permitting access to your documents as required within a specific course, you may elect to allow potential employers, graduate programs, and others to access selected contents. When you believe selected documents in your ePortfolio are ready, you may elect to publish specific documents for the internet community to view.

Things To Watch For in Your ePortfolio

Once you decide to publish part or all of your ePortfolio, keep in mind that it is available to a wider audience of internet users. Thus, you must pay careful attention to the contents of what you choose to publish. While Washington State University supports students right to creative expression, you must take certain precautions when posting your ePortfolio. In particular:

• Become familiar with copyright issues if you are utilizing or integrating digital media (e.g., songs, video clips) that you have not created on your own. Guidelines on WSU's copyright policy can be accessed at: Copyright Info
  
  
• Understand what is and what is not copyright protected. This is your responsibility.
  
• Assume that everything you post on the web is public. Any other internet user can access your web content. Because the site is connected to your name, the contents of the site are your responsibility. Pay special attention to:
• How you critique others' work, including your tone and word choice
• How you use evidence: avoid plagiarism by using appropriate citations. For more information see: http://www.conduct.wsu.edu/academicIntegrity.asp
  
  
• Whether any contents may be slanderous or libelous

ePortfolio Ownership

• The University promotes creative endeavors, including the ePortfolio. Components for which you are the sole creater belong to you when you leave the University.
• Your ownership over ePortfolio contents may be subject to the following limitations:
• The actual percentage of work defined as the student's original work.
  
• The use of University resources in the creation of your ePortfolio, including, but not limited to:
• Faculty investment in conceptualizing, creating, and providing feedback on your ePortfolio documents;
  
• Use of University facilities, including equipment, materials, space, faculty, and clerical service. Typically the use of university resources precludesfull student ownership.
• WSU Vancouver is not responsible for maintaining a backup copy of your work. You should make such copies as you deem appropriate

Where Your ePortfolio is Stored and Other Uses

Portions of your ePortfolio may be used by the University for program assessment. The information you upload into your ePortfolio is stored on a third party server (off campus).

General Computing Policies

• Computer accounts are reviewed periodically for eligibility. Accounts that don't meet eligibility criteria are removed from the system. A student account may be removed if the student is no longer enrolled, or has not pre-enrolled for the next semester. Accounts not used within three months are considered "inactive" and may be removed at anytime. If you have a problem with your computer account please call 360-546-9770.
• All computer account passwords are confidential and must not be shared with others. Sharing your computer password to allow another to use your computer identity/account is a violation of Washington state law (WAC 504-25-085 1.h)
• Complaints of illegal activities (which may include sexual harassment, abusive language, unauthorized access, password cracking, or unauthorized copying of files or software) will be investigated and reported to the proper authorities. This may include departmental officials, WSU Student Affairs, the Attorney General, Vancouver Police, FBI, Internet Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) at Carnegie-Mellon University, and other network and system administrators. Such reports could lead to criminal and/or civil prosecution.
• Complaints of inappropriate use will be investigated and corrective action will be taken. This may include the loss of computing privileges.
• WSU Vancouver reserves the right to remove components from its site with no prior notice to you if components are in violation of WSU Vancouver policies, WSU computing policies or state or federal law.

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