Policy 01:010
Use of Information Resources

Use of University information resources through any medium or environment is a privilege extended in good faith, on such terms and conditions as the University deems appropriate, to authorized students, employees, alumni and others for legitimate purposes related to education, public service, research, and administration.  By using any University information resource, the user agrees to abide by all applicable copyright and licensing requirements.  Additionally, the University reserves the right to regulate individual resource usage to promote optimum system-wide performance and/or optimum performance for critical or priority functions.  Responsible users should avoid actions that may inflict needless expense upon the University or others. Except for authorized University business, the use of these resources for fundraising, solicitation or commercial (i.e., a private or personal business) purposes is prohibited.  Information resources include, but are not limited to, computer hardware; software; mainframe resources; local area networks; access to external networks for local, national, and international sources of electronically generated, stored and transmitted information; University e-mail addresses; address lists and/or labels for faculty, staff, students and alumni; and campus directories for faculty, staff, and students. 

The University, including its computing and networking facilities, is a forum for the exchange of information and ideas and, therefore, cannot protect users from materials they may find offensive.   Such materials, however, shall not be represented nor construed as an endorsement or approval by the University. 

Privacy Considerations

The University does not guarantee the privacy of users, their electronic files, or their communications.  The University reserves the right, as owner, to preserve, monitor or inspect for business purposes any information transmitted through or stored in its computers, and may do so periodically to verify that software and hardware are working correctly, to look for particular kinds of data or software (such as computer viruses), or to audit the use of University resources.  In cases of misuse, the University also reserves the right to deny access to computing facilities.  

When sources outside the University request an inspection and/or examination of any University-owned or -operated communications system, computing resource, and/or files or information contained therein, the University will treat information as confidential except: 

• When approved by the appropriate University official(s) or the department head to whom the request is directed; or
• When authorized by the owner(s) of the information; or
• When required by federal, state, or local law; or
• When required by a valid subpoena or court order. 

When notice is required by law, court order, or subpoena, users will receive prior notice of such disclosures.

Electronic Communications

Users are responsible for all communications they transmit through the University’s computers, networks and systems.  Users should exercise caution when downloading executable programs via electronic communications to prevent interjecting computer viruses into University computers and/or networks.  The following are examples of prohibited activities: 

• Forgery or attempting forgery of electronic communications;
• Attempts to read, delete, copy, or modify the electronic communications of other users;
• Sending or attempting to send harassing, obscene, or threatening electronic communications;
• Sending or attempting to send unsolicited junk mail, "for-profit" messages or chain letters;
• Knowingly replicating or transmitting computer viruses or otherwise deliberately damaging the systems or files of others;
• Flooding or attempting to flood a user's mailbox. 

E-mail is an official medium for communicating with faculty, staff and students.  All faculty, staff and students are responsible for checking their University e-mail accounts in a timely fashion and on a regular basis. 

Use of University information resources is governed by all applicable University policies and state and federal laws.  Abuse of information resource privileges may result in the loss of those privileges and in disciplinary action, including termination of employment, expulsion, and/or prosecution.  Abuse of networks or computers at other sites through the use of University resources will be treated as an abuse of information resource privileges at the University.

Allocation and Use of Technology Resources

The Vice President for Academic Affairs, with recommendation and guidance from the Director of Computer Services and the Information and Instructional Technology Committee, is responsible for the general allocation and use of technology resources in accord with the University’s purpose and goals.  Allocations of technology resources are made through the budget and planning process.  In addition, the Information and Instructional Technology Committee assists the Director of Computer Services and the Vice President for Academic Affairs by recommending general guidelines and institutional priorities for the allocation and use of technology. 

The Vice President for Academic Affairs, or other individual designated by the President, has the authority and responsibility for the development of technology standards and guidelines to ensure effective implementation of this policy, and for evaluating the effectiveness thereof.  The Vice President for Academic Affairs is also responsible for evaluating that the allocation and use of technology resources adequately addresses the needs of academic and administrative units.


Approved 9/86

Last Revised 4/08