​General Policy for Institutional Information and Technology

Moorish American Institute (MAI)

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Purpose

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The Moorish American Institute ("MAI") provides information technology resources to support teaching, learning, research, scholarship, communication, administration, and institutional operations. These resources are institutional assets and shall be used responsibly, ethically, securely, and in accordance with applicable laws, institutional policies, and accepted standards of professional conduct.

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All students, parents or guardians (when applicable), faculty, staff, administrators, contractors, volunteers, and authorized users are expected to use MAI technology resources in a manner that promotes academic excellence, protects institutional information, and respects the rights of others.

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Scope

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This policy applies to all individuals who access or use MAI-owned, leased, licensed, hosted, or managed information technology resources, whether on campus, remotely, or through personally owned devices authorized to connect to MAI systems.

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Covered resources include, but are not limited to:

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• Student Information Systems

• Learning Management Systems (LMS)

• Email accounts

• Institutional websites

• Online classrooms

• Video conferencing platforms

• Cloud storage services

• Digital libraries

• Electronic records

• Computer hardware

• Mobile devices

• Networks and internet services

• Audio, video, and multimedia equipment

• Licensed software

• Artificial intelligence tools authorized by MAI

 

Ownership of Institutional Resources

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All institutional technology resources, electronic records, software licenses, data, documents, communications, and digital assets created, maintained, or stored on MAI systems remain the property of the Moorish American Institute unless otherwise provided by law or written agreement.

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Users are granted permission to access these resources solely for authorized educational or institutional purposes.

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Acceptable Use

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Users shall use institutional technology resources to:

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• Participate in educational activities.

• Complete coursework.

• Conduct institutional business.

• Perform authorized research.

• Communicate professionally.

• Access educational materials.

• Collaborate respectfully with instructors and classmates.

• Support MAI's educational mission.

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Users are expected to exercise good judgment, professionalism, and respect in all digital communications.

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Prohibited Uses

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Institutional technology resources shall not be used to:

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• Violate federal, state, or local laws.

• Commit fraud or identity theft.

• Access systems without authorization.

• Circumvent security measures.

• Share passwords or login credentials.

• Distribute malware or malicious software.

• Harass, threaten, intimidate, or bully others.

• Upload obscene, unlawful, or discriminatory content.

• Infringe copyrights, trademarks, or intellectual property rights.

• Conduct unauthorized commercial activities.

• Damage, disrupt, or interfere with institutional systems.

• Falsify electronic records.

• Misrepresent one's identity.

• Use institutional resources for illegal activities.

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User Account Security

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Each authorized user is responsible for safeguarding their account credentials.

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Users shall:

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• Maintain confidential passwords.

• Use strong authentication methods when available.

• Log out of shared devices.

• Report suspected unauthorized access immediately.

• Notify MAI of lost or compromised devices used to access institutional systems.

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Users are responsible for activities conducted under their assigned accounts unless unauthorized use is promptly reported.

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Data Privacy and Confidentiality

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Users shall protect confidential institutional information, including:

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• Student education records.

• Financial information.

• Personnel records.

• Assessment materials.

• Administrative documents.

• Proprietary educational content.

• Login credentials and authentication information.

 

Confidential information shall not be disclosed except as authorized by law or institutional policy.

 

Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies

 

MAI recognizes the educational value of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies when used responsibly.

Users shall:

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• Follow instructor guidance regarding AI use.

• Verify information generated by AI systems.

• Protect confidential information from unauthorized disclosure.

• Avoid submitting AI-generated work as original scholarship unless expressly permitted.

• Use AI tools ethically and in compliance with the Academic Honesty Policy.

 

Copyright and Intellectual Property

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Users shall respect intellectual property rights.

 

Users may not:

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• Copy licensed software without authorization.

• Share copyrighted instructional materials unlawfully.

• Upload pirated content.

• Reproduce copyrighted works beyond applicable legal exceptions.

 

Original works created by students remain the property of the student unless otherwise agreed by contract or law. MAI retains ownership of its curriculum, instructional materials, trademarks, logos, institutional publications, and other institutional intellectual property.

 

Electronic Communications

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Institutional email systems, messaging platforms, discussion boards, and online classrooms shall be used respectfully and professionally.

 

Users shall:

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• Communicate courteously.

• Avoid abusive or threatening language.

• Respect differing viewpoints.

• Protect confidential information.

• Avoid impersonating others.

 

Electronic communications should support MAI's educational environment.

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Monitoring and Security

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To protect institutional systems and ensure compliance with applicable laws and policies, MAI reserves the right, to the extent permitted by law, to monitor, audit, maintain, secure, and investigate the use of its information technology resources.

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Users should not expect absolute privacy when using institutional technology resources. MAI will make reasonable efforts to protect personal information while balancing legal obligations, cybersecurity needs, and institutional responsibilities.

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Reporting Security Incidents

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Users shall promptly report:

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• Suspected cybersecurity incidents.

• Unauthorized access.

• Lost or stolen institutional devices.

• Phishing attempts.

• Malware infections.

• Data breaches.

• System vulnerabilities.

 

Prompt reporting helps protect the MAI community.

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Enforcement

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Violations of this policy may result in one or more of the following actions:

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• Warning

• Temporary suspension of technology privileges

• Mandatory technology training

• Academic sanctions

• Employee disciplinary action

• Suspension from MAI

• Expulsion

• Civil liability

• Criminal prosecution where applicable

 

Sanctions shall be proportional to the nature and severity of the violation.

 

Policy Administration

 

The Headmaster, or a designated Information Technology Administrator, is responsible for administering this policy, developing implementation procedures, maintaining institutional technology standards, and recommending updates as technology, educational practices, and applicable laws evolve.

 

Policy Review

 

This policy shall be reviewed periodically and may be amended by the Moorish American Institute to address changes in technology, cybersecurity, educational practices, or legal requirements.

 

Statement of Responsibility

 

Access to MAI's information technology resources is a privilege that carries significant responsibilities. Every member of the MAI community shares responsibility for maintaining a secure, respectful, ethical, and productive digital learning environment. Responsible stewardship of institutional technology supports the Institute's mission to advance scholarship, integrity, and lifelong learning.