Electronic Signature Policy for College Personnel and Students

Bladen Community College (BCC) recognizes an electronic signature as a valid signature from employees and students. An electronic signature is defined as any electronic process signifying an approval to terms, and/or ensuring the integrity of the document, presented in electronic format. Students use electronic signatures to check financial aid awards, obtain unofficial transcripts, update contact information, submission of class work, tests, etc. Employees use electronic signatures for submitting grades, viewing personal payroll data, logging into campus computers and accessing protected data through the administrative computing system etc.

Electronic signatures are subject to the following Conditions 1 and 2:

Condition 1: Campus Network Username and Password

• Institution provides employees with a unique username.
• The employee sets his or her own password.
• Employee logs into the employee network and secure site using both the username and the password on the PC they are at using active directory.
• Students are on their own VLan, separate from the staff/employee network. Students use their username and passwords for online classes, student email and Self-Service access or for any other student information that they need.

Condition 2: Student/Employee Login ID and Personal Identification Number (PIN)

• Institution provides student or employee with a unique PIN.
• Student or employee sets his or her own PIN.
• Student or employee logs into a secure site using both the login ID and PIN.

It is the responsibility and obligation of each individual to keep their passwords and PIN private so others cannot use their credentials. This is further explained in the Policy for the Allocation and Use of Computers, Networks and Information Systems and the BCC Student Catalog section on “Computer Acceptable Use Policy”.

Once logged in, the student or employee is responsible for any information they provide, update, or remove. BCC will take steps to ensure both the passwords and PIN are protected and kept confidential. Furthermore, users are responsible for logging out of all systems and exercising the necessary precautions when using publicly accessible computers.

This policy is in addition to all applicable federal and state statutes, policies, guidelines, and standards.