interim Policy on Acceptable Use of Information Resources

The University’s computer systems and networks are shared resources used by many individuals to carry out the University’s mission of teaching, research, and service.  Use of these resources must be ethical, reflect academic honesty, respect the rights of other users, demonstrate respect for intellectual property and ownership of data, respect system security mechanisms, and promote an environment free from intimidation and harassment.

By using University computer systems and networks, users agree to abide by and comply with the applicable policies, procedures, and laws. All examples given below are illustrative. Application of this policy is not limited to the examples presented.

Users of computer systems and networks have the responsibility to:

• comply with all University policies, procedures, relevant employment contracts, and local, state, and federal laws.
• use computer systems and networks for authorized administrative, academic, research, or clinical purposes or other University business.
• protect user-IDs and computer systems and networks from unauthorized use. Users are responsible for all activities that originate from their accounts or systems that they perform or have expressly authorized in accordance with the Policy on Password Sharing.
• access only information that is their own, that is publicly available, or that they have been authorized to access.
• comply with all copyright laws, licensing terms, patent laws, trademarks, and trade secrets.
• use information systems in a way that does not infringe on the ability of other users to reasonably access computer systems and networks.

The following are examples of uses that are unacceptable:

• use another individual’s user ID or password without the proper authorization as described above.
• use computer programs to decode passwords or access system control information without proper authorization.
• attempt to circumvent or subvert system or network security without proper authorization.
• engage in any activity that might be harmful to the systems or to any information on the systems, such as creating or propagating viruses, disrupting services, damaging files, making unauthorized modifications to University data,  or unauthorized sharing of University data.
• use University systems for commercial or partisan political purposes, such as using electronic mail to circulate advertising for products or for political candidates.
• harass or intimidate another person, such as repeatedly sending unwanted mail or sending threatening mail.
• monopolize information systems without proper authorization. Examples of monopolizing systems include: removing shared manuals from a laboratory, uploading and downloading files of sufficient size or quantity to degrade network performance for other users, sending out or forwarding chain letters, and sending large unauthorized mass mailings. 
• attempt to gain access to information or services without proper authorization.
• engage in any other activity that does not comply with the General Principles presented above, University policies and procedures, or applicable law.

When it is determined that a system is being used in a way that appears not to comply with University policy, the system or user account may be temporarily removed from the network. When feasible, the owner or user of the system should be informed of the reason the computer was removed from the network and the name of the organization that removed it. It is the user’s responsibility to contact the organization and work collaboratively with that organization to resolve the problem.

If the problem cannot be resolved, the Vice President with responsibility for the person whose system was removed from the network will determine the proper resolution.  Appeals to the Vice President’s decision will be handled through normal administrative channels.  Grievances shall be handled by the standard University grievance procedures. In case the grievance procedure requires an appeal to the Vice President who made the original decision, the Provost will handle the appeal.  If the original decision was made by the Provost, the Vice President for Administrative Affairs will handle the appeal.

The University considers any violation of these General Principles to be a serious offense.  Further, the University reserves the right to copy, monitor, and/or examine any files or information residing on University systems, networks, or computing resources related to the alleged unacceptable use and to protect its systems and networks from events or behaviors that threaten or degrade operations, and where an applicable Legal Hold notice is initiated, and/or the Office of Legal Counsel otherwise directs such action.  Violators are subject to disciplinary action including, but not limited to, those outlined in the Student Code, Staff Handbook, Faculty Handbook and applicable laws.