Path: eff!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!paladin.american.edu!auvm!jsonder Organization: The American University - University Computing Center Date: Thu, 18 Feb 1993 00:33:29 EST From: Message-ID: <93049.003329JSONDER@auvm.american.edu> Newsgroups: alt.comp.acad-freedom.talk Subject: American University Computer Policy Lines: 103 These policies apply to use of computers at The American University and of computers and networks elsewhere if you use a network at The American University to gain access to those computers or networks. *-=*=- *General Policy Computer access codes (called userIDs) and access to computer networks are made available to TAU's faculty, registered students and staff to assist them in carrying out the instructional, research, and administrative goals of the University. ++BREAK++ Access to TAU's computers and networks is a privilege, not a right. Many members of the TAU community use these facilities, rely on their availability to accomplish their work, and store important, private data and software on them. Actions which intentionally disrupt, delay, endanger, expose or access others' work without specific authorization are prohibited, are ethically wrong, and will be prosecuted under TAU's internal rules and under any applicable criminal statues. Obvious examples of prohibited actions would include: a. intentionally providing computer access to unauthorized people (by loaning or sharing your userID to another person, etc.); b. disrupting access to a computer or network (by crashing the system, releasing viruses, tying up terminals, using a computer for illegal activities, etc.); c. accessing or changing others' files or computer accounts without permission; and d. purposefully wasting resources. ++BREAK++ Further, no commercial activity is permitted unless it furthers TAU's goals and is approved in advance in writing by the Executive Director of the University Computing Center. *Privacy In an operational sense, the University Computing Center regards files in your account and data on the networks as private; that is, employees of the Center do not routinely look at this information. However, the UCC reserves the right to view or scan any file or software stored on the computer or passing through our network, and will 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 TAU's resources. Violation of policy that come to UCC's attention during these and other activities will be acted upon. ++BREAK++ Your data on the mainframe(s) will be periodically copied to backup tapes. While we will make reasonable efforts to ensure that your data remains confidential, we cannot guarantee that it will remain so. If you wish to take steps to ensure confidentiality, you may encrypt your data using one of the software tools on the system. You should be aware that if you use one of the data networks, such a BitNet or Internet, electronic mail and messages will not necessarily remain confidential in transit or on the destination computer system. *Copyright TAU's policy on Reproduction of Copyrighted Works (#6-80) specifically defines software as a "literary work". Software available on computers and networks is not to be copied except as specifically permitted by the applicable software license. TAU is a member of EDUCOM and adheres to the Code of Software and Intellectual Rights: ++BREAK++ "Respect for intellectual labor and creativity is vital to academic discourse and enteprise. This principal applies to works of all authors and publishers in all media. It encompasses respect for the right to acknowledgement, right to privacy, and right to determine the form, manner, and terms of publication and distribution. Because electronic information is volitile and easily reproduced, respect for the work and personnel expression of others is especially critical in computer environments. Violations of authorial integrity, including plagiarism, invasion of privacy, unauthorized access, and trade secret and copyright violations, may be grounds for sanctions against members of the academic community." ++BREAK++ *Protect Yourself Each computer account is assigned to a single individual, who is responsible for all computer activities accomplished under that account identification. When prohibited activity is detected, TAU will pursue the owner of the userID. Protect yourself and prevent unauthorized access by keeping the password associated with your userID a secret and changing it periodically. There is always the possibility that someone else's actions, whether intentional or not, will result in a system crash, or the loss of files, or some other interruption of your work or loss of your data or software. Please take steps to frequently back-up any work that is important to you. The University Computing Center takes measures on its own, but they may not be adequate for your purposes. Ask about our policies and we may be able to help you develop any necessary, extra procedures.