PRP 3700 - Computer and Network Use Policy
Issued by: Wilson G. Bradshaw, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Effective Date: November 17, 1999
NOTES: Approved by BUCC 11/17/99
Preamble
The University seeks to maintain the security and integrity of its computers, networks and related resources; to support its other codes and regulations regarding harassment and abusive behavior; to protect itself from the legal consequences of copyright violations and the posting defamatory material and to ensure that the computer facilities are used in accordance with rules and regulation of proper behavior and its educational mission.
The Policy
Access to the University's computing facilities and resources is a privilege granted solely to Bloomsburg faculty, staff and registered students and those with special accounts. All users of the computing facilities must act responsibly and maintain the integrity of these resources. The University reserves the right to limit, restrict or extend computing privileges and access to its resources and to remove or limit access to material posted on the University computers or being sent over its network.
Violations
Violation of this policy could result in a user's access to Bloomsburg University's computers and network systems being restricted or denied and being subject to procedures and penalties under other University policies, rules, codes of conduct as well as local, state and federal laws.
Note
Bloomsburg University understands that the rapidly changing computer environment requires that its computer use policy be flexible and adaptable. Therefore, in order to help educate the Bloomsburg University computer users and to provide guidance as to rights and responsibilities appended to this policy is a list of examples of behavior that are restricted, and questions and answers that are intended to help clarify rights and responsibilities. These are expected to change over time to meet demands of the changing issues we must confront.
Appendix I - Frequently asked Questions and Answers (FAQ)
As with the examples, the FAQs are intended to help educate and guide the computer user. They will respond to changing issues and needs for clarification and interpretation. It is very important to understand that the examples and FAQs do not and cannot cover all situations and that if there are any questions regarding what is acceptable behavior they should be directed to the University administrators (vice presidents and computer administrators).
Is my campus email or files I have stored on University computers secure?
Everyone needs to operate on the assumption that E-mail is not secure. A rule to follow is if it would bother you to have it on the front page of the local newspaper, you shouldn't send it through email. The same caution should be applied to stored files.
Is my email private?
The University has the right to look at e-mail or the content of files, but it will do this only if there is reasonable cause and proper authorization is given. The University reserves the right to look at email and files if evidence indicates a violation of University rules and codes or local, state or federal laws. Appropriate authorization comes from the president, vice president and their designees.
Are my files stored on University computers private?
Like email on the University computers and network, files on the University equipment belongs to the university and can be accessed if there is reasonable cause to do so and proper authorization is given. In addition, supervisors in order to get material that is needed for the normal work functions may access files. For example, supervisors can get files stored on subordinate's computers if needed as part of the normal job functions and if the person is not present. During normal administrative work of maintaining systems, backing up files and other necessary work, files may be seen.
Does the University monitor the content of what is sent over its network or posted on its computers?
No, it does not monitor content. It does, however, reserve the right to remove or restrict material when applicable university policies or codes, or state, local or federal laws are violated. For example, the university, as necessary, may remove material that violates copyright laws or is potentially libelous.
Are there limitations to what I can say or post on the university computers and network?
The university wishes to support the free exchange of ideas and freedom of expression. However, it does reserve the right to limit or restrict the distribution and posting of material directed at classes of people (hate speech) and other threatening or offensive material if it believes this is creating a hostile environment or is damaging to the university.
How do I report a violation of the computer policy?
If you believe that a violation has occurred you should report it to the computer administrators (x4821 / x4099). You should gather as much information as you can to help in the investigations of the incident. The computer administrators will direct the complaint to other offices if needed.
In addition there may be situations where you should also report the incident to other offices. For example:
If you believe there is a violation that threatens your safety or others, you should report it to the Campus Police (x4168)
If it involves work-related activities, your supervisor should be notified.
What are copyright violations?
An increasingly common problem that comes with the widespread use of personal homepages is using material that is copyrighted without the permission of the owner. It is important to remember that material does not need to have the © notice on it to be copyrighted, and copyright protection extends beyond text to such things as photos, art and video. If the University is informed of copyright violations, it will act to remove the material in compliance with law.
What are the consequences of violating the computer policies?
The consequences of violating computer policies can range from a warning to formal actions by the University's authorities to further action, which might lead to the legal system.
How will violations be handled?
For violations which are less serious and do not have an immediate impact on the integrity of the systems or threaten others, the alleged offender will be requested to come to computing administrator's office so information can be gathered and the allegation discussed. If the situation is resolved, no further action is taken. For cases that are not resolved at this meeting or are more serious, violations will be handled like other violations of University codes, regulations, policies, rules and procedures. For students, this can involve the judicial procedures explained in the Student Handbook. For staff and faculty it may involve their supervisor or Human Relations.
Appendix II - Specific Examples Of Rights And Responsibilities
These examples should be used as guidelines for behavior. They are not to be considered all inclusive as they do not cover all situations that would be violation of the general policy. As guidelines, these can change as issues and needs change.
Computer users should use only the computer ID that has been assigned. Obtaining or attempting to obtain the computer ID and/or password that has not been assigned to a user is a violation of this policy. It is also a violation of this policy to disguise or attempt to disguise the identity of the account or machine being used.
The University's network resources must not be used to gain or attempt to gain unauthorized access to remote computers.
Any action taken by computer users which deliberately disrupts or disables the operation of computers, terminals, peripherals, or networks is violation of this policy. This includes, but is not limited to, tampering with components of a local area network (LAN) or the high-speed backbone network otherwise blocking communication lines, or interfering with the operational readiness of a computer.
Running or installing on any of the University's computer systems a program which could result in the eventual damage to a file or computer system and/or the reproduction of itself is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, those classes of programs known as computer viruses, Trojan Horses, and worms.
Circumventing or attempting to circumvent data protection schemes or computer security measures is prohibited.
Computer users are required to abide by the terms of all software licensing agreements and copyright laws. In particular, it is prohibited to make copies of copyrighted software, unless the University has a site license specifically allowing the copying of said software. It is further prohibited to copy site-licensed software for distribution to persons other than Bloomsburg faculty, staff, and students, nor may you copy site-licensed software for use at locations not covered under the terms of the license agreement.
Computer users must not deliberately perform acts which are wasteful of computing resources or which unfairly monopolize resources to the exclusion of others. Examples of abuse would include commercial spam, derogatory remarks, chain letters, or creating unnecessary multiple jobs or processes. Persons having questions about a possible use should contact the computing administrators.
Using University computers to send threatening, harassing, libelous or offensive messages may be contrary to University codes and or local, state or federal laws.
Computer users are prohibited from monitoring or attempting to monitor another user's data communications or copy, change, or delete another user's files or software, without permission of the owner.
Using University computer and networked resources for personal or financial gain is prohibited. (This does not apply to any activities directly related to the scholarly/professional pursuits of faculty, staff and/or students. NOTE: Please refer to PRP #2910 Patents and Copyrights.)
Any network traffic exiting the University is subject to the policies stipulated herein and to the "acceptable use policies" of the network through which it flows such as the SSHEnet.
The primary use of computing facilities is for academic-related activities. Other non-restricted use such as games are secondary and must yield to academic use. Games playing and other secondary uses may be restricted when they are found to interfere with academic use.