8.1.10 Electronic Signature

Policy Tracking	Date
Approved	February1, 2012
Revised
Reviewed

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.
Blue Ridge Community College recognizes an electronic signature as a valid signature from faculty, staff, and students.
Faculty and staff use electronic signatures for submitting grades, logging into campus computers, accessing protected data through the administrative computing system and custom web applications provided by the college, etc.
Students use electronic signatures to register, check financial aid awards, pay student bills, obtain unofficial transcripts, update contact information, log into campus computers, complete forms, submit class work, tests, etc.
An electronic signature is considered valid when one of the following conditions is met:
1. Student/Employee Log in ID and Student/Employee/Personal Identification Number (PIN)
  1. Institution provides student or employee with a unique PIN
  2. Student or employee sets his or her own PIN
  3. Student or employee logs into a secure site using both the Log in ID and PIN
2. Campus Network Username and Password
  1. Institution provides student or employee with a unique username
  2. Student or employee sets his or her own password
  3. Student or employee logs into the campus network and secure site using both the username and the password
It is the responsibility and obligation of each individual to keep his/her PIN and his/her password private so others cannot use their credentials.
Once logged in, the student or employee is responsible for any information he/she provides, updates, or removes. Blue Ridge Community College will take steps to ensure both the PIN and password 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.