Network Policies
Policy for the Responsible Use of Information Technology
Last Update: March 27, 2003
Introduction
The rapid emergence of the Internet, the growth of the World Wide Web, the incorporation of electronic mail in various curricula, and the availability of distributed information resources across a common network has caused the University of Redlands to examine the many issues involved in the responsible use of information technology using institutional resources. This policy is the product of that examination, and adherence by all University of Redlands faculty, administrators, staff, and students is required. Adherence to this policy will ensure a computing environment that will perpetuate the University of Redlands ' academic, research, and service mission. It is imperative that the campus community accedes that technological resources require responsible behavior from all of its users. Simply stated, the continued and efficient accessibility of computer resources is the responsibility of the entire University community.
Purpose
Information technology, including systems, software, and data, plays an increasingly important role in education, research, and administration at University of Redlands . This policy is designed to define the appropriate and responsible use of the campus computing and network facilities. Further, it is the intent of this policy to allow the greatest access of campus computing resources consistent with generally accepted principles of ethics that governs the University of Redlands . In support of its mission of education, research, and public service, the University of Redlands seeks to provide access to its information technology for faculty, administrators, staff, and students within institutional priorities and financial capabilities.Scope
Access to University of Redlands-owned computer facilities, equipment, hardware, software, printing services, and staff-provided user support is a privilege, not a right. This privilege is extended to all faculty, administrators, staff, and students. Accepting access to this technology carries an associated expectation of responsible and acceptable use. Since technology now serves as a gateway to information and interaction for research and education, this policy applies to everyone at the University of Redlands who utilizes any University information technology resources.Compliance
All users of the University of Redlands ' information technology resources are required to comply with and, by using any such resources, agree to comply and be subject to this Policy for the Responsible Use of Information Technology (hereafter referred to as “policy”). University of Redlands , through an appropriate review and amendment process, reserves the right to amend this policy at any time and without prior notice in order to better provide information technology access to faculty, administrators, staff, and students. University of Redlands reserves the right to limit, restrict, or extend computing privileges and access to its information technology resources.Limitations
University of Redlands ' information technology resources and associated user accounts are to only be used for the University of Redlands ' activities for which they are assigned or intended. When accessing any remote resources utilizing University of Redlands ' information technology resources, users are required to comply with both the policies set forth in this document and all applicable policies governing the use and access of the remote computer system.User Accounts
User accounts are designed only 1) to establish a system control mechanism for user identification, and 2) to afford users a physical location where they can store relevant academic and administrative data. At no time should user accounts be used to execute any computer software or computer programs other than those programs specifically granted and offered for user execution by the University of Redlands . Physical storage in user accounts of any information, data, or programs are to only be used for the University of Redlands ' activities for which they are assigned or intended.
All users are responsible for both the protection of their user account password and the data stored in their user account. Users are prohibited from sharing their user account password with anyone at anytime, thereby granting unauthorized access to University of Redlands ' computer systems. It is recommended that users change their user account password periodically to help prevent compromise and unauthorized access of their user account. Any suspected unauthorized access of a user account should be reported immediately to the Chief Information Officer or other university authority. User accounts are deactivated and removed from further access and use when the user's affiliation (e.g., employment, matriculation, current enrollment, etc.) is terminated. Faculty may request continued use of their account when they retire. All data, files, or messages are removed from user accounts when account deactivation occurs.
Ownership
University of Redlands assumes and reserves the right to access of all data, files, messages, and programs stored in its computer systems. Users cannot claim ownership of any data stored in the University of Redlands ' computer systems. Users can, however, expect exclusive use of all data, information, files, or messages stored in their user accounts. This exclusive use provides the authorized user two unique expectations: 1) an expectation of privacy for all data stored in their user account, and 2) an expectation of the ability to download to a computer storage medium any data stored in their authorized user account.
University of Redlands firmly supports these two expectations for all users as long as users adhere to this policy defining the responsible use of information technology resources. Cooperation with any system administrator requests regarding user computer activities is expected. Only under certain unusual circumstances involving issues of system integrity or University policies, and at the direction of Chief Information Officer and Human Resources department, will the system administrator access data stored in user accounts.
Data Security
University of Redlands provides reasonable security against unauthorized intrusion and damage to data, information, files, and messages stored on its computer systems within institutional priorities and financial capabilities. University of Redlands maintains facilities for archiving and retrieving data stored in user accounts. In addition, users are strongly encouraged to backup their data on a regular basis. If a user needs to recover data after an accidental loss, Information Technology Services staff should be contacted. Every reasonable attempt will be made to recover the lost or corrupted data.
Because of variables associated with the magnetic storage of data, however, the University of Redlands cannot guarantee full restoration in every instance. Further, neither the University of Redlands nor any Information Technology Services staff can be held accountable for unauthorized access by other users, nor can they guarantee data protection in the event of media failure, fire, criminal acts, or natural disaster.
Electronic Mail (e-mail)
All electronic information is not protected communication under legal definitions, and the e-mail messages stored in files are subject to discovery and subpoena request during legal actions. University of Redlands reserves the right to inspect and disclose contents of electronic data messages when an official investigation is triggered by indications, subject to University policies, of misconduct or misuse.Software Copying
Respect for the intellectual work and property of others has traditionally been essential to the mission of academic institutions. As members of the academic community, the University of Redlands values the free exchange of ideas. Just as the University of Redlands does not tolerate plagiarism, it does not condone the unauthorized copying of software, including programs, applications, operating systems, and databases.
Software should not be copied other than what is legally prescribed by a license. This refers to any and all software found on University of Redlands ' computer systems, including personal computers, campus computer lab systems, and computer networks operating on campus. To copy software without the permission of its owner may be illegal.
Copyright Laws
Software programs are protected by Copyright Laws. Educational institutions and their constituencies are not exempt from the law. Software is also protected by the license agreement between the owner and purchaser. It may be illegal to duplicate, copy, or distribute software or its documentation without the permission of the copyright owner.Liability for Errors
University of Redlands makes every effort to maintain an error-free hardware and software environment for its authorized users. Significant resources are expended to ensure that all Information Technology Services staff is properly trained to support current technologies. Nevertheless, it is impossible to ensure that hardware or system software errors will not occur or that staff will always give the most correct advice. University of Redlands presents no warranty, either expressly stated or implied, for the services or access provided to its authorized users. University of Redlands is not responsible for damages resulting from the direct or indirect use of its information technology resources.Right to Monitor
The campus computer systems networked together on a common network are owned by the University of Redlands , or, in some cases, are privately owned as personal computers brought to campus by faculty, administrators, staff, or students. Regardless of access, every computer attached to the campus network for any reason (e.g., Internet connectivity, e-mail accessibility, etc.) is subject to monitoring by the Information Technology Services staff system/network manager. Due to the exponential growth of the number of data packets transmitted through the University of Redlands' network, this monitoring is required in order to ensure effective use of available network bandwidth, to detect and correct network problems as they occur, thereby ensuring the continued stability of the campus-wide computing environment.
Even with the right to monitor, users should continue to expect that their data, files, and e-mail would remain private. System monitoring is a mechanism for observing network usage and traffic, not a method for accessing private information or reviewing the content of the files. University of Redlands reserves the right to monitor any computer action or any system record of any action that a user performs while utilizing the campus network.
Campus Computing Facilities
Designated microcomputer labs on the University of Redlands ' may be reserved for teaching purposes at times specified by the professor. These labs may be available for general use at other times. Facilities may be made available on an unsupervised basis. It is the responsibility of every user to utilize these facilities in a responsible manner. Accidental damage or damage caused by other parties should be reported as soon as possible so that corrective action can be taken.Personal Web Pages
Any authorized user at University of Redlands may have a personal home page on the University of Redlands ' World Wide Web server. The contents of any user's home page can be of the user's own creation or choosing, provided that the graphical images, multimedia information, text, or the intent of the home page does not conflict with the mission of the University of Redlands . Student organizations are also welcome to submit home page information for inclusion on the university web site. No individual user is authorized to create and serve a web site on the World Wide Web utilizing University of Redlands' information technology resources.Specific Issues of Responsible Use
In addition to the issues of responsible user behavior already described in this policy, the following more specific practices applicable to all University of Redlands' computer systems and network users are prohibited:- Access, use, inspection, or modification of data or functions that are neither allotted nor authorized as a part of the user's account nor as specified as public domain information
- Access, use, inspection, or modification of data that refer to computer utilization, computer access authorization, or security
- Abuse or improper use of hardware
- Installing or executing unauthorized or unlicensed software on any computer resource
- Causing disruptive noise, displaying abusive or inappropriate behavior towards other users, or creating other disturbances in any campus computing area
- Sending, printing, or storing obscene, pornographic, fraudulent, harassing, threatening, abusive, racist, or discriminatory images, files, or messages
- Access or use of another user's account and the data contained in that account
- Theft, destruction, or removal of data or university-owned computer resources
- Physical or electronic interference with other computer systems users
- Dissemination or distribution of a user account password to any other person
- Displaying or printing sexually explicit, graphically disturbing, discriminating, racist, or sexual harassing images or text in any campus computing facility or any campus location that can potentially be in view of other individuals
- Any other practice or user activity that, in the opinion of designated person by the University of Redlands , constitutes irresponsible behavior, promotes illegal activities, results in the misuse of computer resources, or jeopardizes the operation of computer or network systems
- This is not an all inclusive list. Therefore, other policies may also apply.
