Network Policies

The term "computing policy" covers general University decisions on everything from supported network hardware to the evolution of the CASE technology environment in the next twenty years. The creation of computing policy is distributed among several University committees and the University's Office of Information Technology Services. Information on various aspects of computing policy is available from the administrative groups responsible for managing the technology environment, for instance policies on the use of programs are available from the Application Group, policies on supported hardware and software are available from the Network Architecture Group.

Students may express their concerns about computing to the University Undergraduate Faculty (UUF) Computing and Information Resources Committee, the Faculty Senate Information Resources Committee, the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) Academic Affairs Committee, or the Office of the Vice President for Information Services.

Visit the UUF Committee's homepage to find out more information about its activities. Contact the Faculty Senate office for information about Faculty Senate's Committee. Contact the USG in the Student Activities Office in the Thwing Center or call 368-5017.

All students, faculty, and staff are expected to adhere to CASE's Computing and Network Ethics Policy statement; failure to do so may result in legal action in addition to University disciplinary procedures. The policy can be found in its entirety both in the print version of the CASE General Bulletin and in the electronic version as well as at the CNS site.

The general standards of conduct expected of members of an educational institution also apply to the use of University computing, network facilities and resources. These resources include:

• wiring and other physical infrastructure used for electronic communications
• electronics and other equipment used for processing or communications;
• programs, programming language systems, instructions, or routines which are used to perform work on a computer
• digital information such as records, images, video, or textual material stored on or accessible through a computer.

University computing, network facilities and information resources are made available to individuals to assist in the pursuit of educational goals. In order to promote the most effective use of these it is expected that users will cooperate with each other and respect the ownership of works and information even though it is in electronic form rather than printed form. Individuals and organizations will be held no less accountable for their actions in situations involving computers, network facilities and information resources than they would be dealing with other media.

Though some of them are intangible, these computing resources, network facilities and information resources are the property of the University. Rules prohibiting theft or vandalism apply to software and data as well as to physical equipment. Conduct which violates the University's property rights with respect to computing, network facilities and information resources is subject to University disciplinary action.

This conduct includes:

1. Copying University-owned or licensed software or data to another computer system for personal or external use without prior approval
2. Attempting to modify University-owned or licensed software or data without prior approval
3. Attempting to damage or to disrupt operation of computing equipment, data communications equipment or data communications lines
4. Using University computing, network facilities and information resources for purposes other than those intended by the University body granting access to those resources, especially using them for personal financial gain or allowing access to them by unauthorized persons, even if they are members of the University community
5. Using any portion of University computing, network facilities and information resources for the purpose of:
   • copying privately-owned or licensed software or data without prior written approval
   • modifying privately owned or licensed software or data without prior written approval
   • attempting to damage or to disrupt the operation of computing equipment, communications equipment or communications lines

The University seeks to protect the civil, personal, and property rights of those actually using its computing, network facilities and information resources and seeks to protect the confidentiality of University records stored on its computer systems. The University also seeks similarly to protect those computing, network facilities and information resources of other institutions to whom University personnel have access via the University-owned computing, network facilities and information resources. Conduct which involves use of University computing, network facilities and information resources to violate another's rights is subject to University disciplinary action. This conduct includes:

1. Invading the privacy of an individual by using electronic means to ascertain confidential information, even if an individual or department inadvertently allows access to such information
2. Copying another user's software or data without permission of its owner even if it is readily accessible by electronic means
3. Knowingly accepting or using software or data which has been obtained by illegal means
4. Abusing or harassing another user through electronic means
5. Using the University's computing, network facilities and information resources in the commission of a crime
6. Gaining access to non-public computing, network facilities and information resources

Some of the University computing, network facilities and information resources require that each user have a unique identity, (CASE User ID) to gain access to or otherwise use the system or facility. The identity is used to represent a user in various system activities, to provide access to certain software and data based on his/her credibility and purpose for requiring such access, and to associate his/her own software and data with his/her identity. As such, this computer identity is another instrument of identification and its misuse constitutes forgery or misrepresentation. Conduct which involves misuse of computer identities is subject to University disciplinary action. This conduct includes:

1. Allowing another individual to use the computer identity
2. Using another individual's computer identity, even if the individual has neglected to safeguard it

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The management of University computing, network facilities and information resources is distributed among many University bodies. Rules and regulations governing specific resources are available through the individual managing bodies.

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Conduct in violation of the principles set forth above with respect to the use of University computing resources may be subject to criminal or civil legal action in addition to University disciplinary action.