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Rice University General Policy No. 832-99
Appropriate Use of Computer Resources
Introduction
The University's computer and information network is a continually growing
and changing resource that supports thousands of users and systems. These
resources are vital for the fulfillment of the academic, research and
business needs of the University community. Their use is provided as a
privilege. In order to ensure a reasonable and dependable level of
service, it is essential that each individual faculty member, staff
member, and student must exercise responsible, ethical behavior when using
these resources. Misuse by even a few individuals has the potential to
disrupt University business, and, even worse, the legitimate academic and
research work of faculty and students.
This policy outlines the application of the principles that govern our
academic community in the appropriate use of University computer and
information network resources. Because it is impossible to anticipate all
the ways in which individuals may misuse these resources, this policy
focuses on a few general rules and the principles behind them.
This policy applies to the entire user community (e.g., all faculty,
staff, students, alumni and retirees) of the University and to the use of
any and all University owned or managed computer-related equipment,
computer systems, and interconnecting networks, as well as all information
contained therein.
Use of Resources
All users are expected to utilize University resources in a responsible
manner consistent with University policies and the guidelines and
operating policies that the Vice President of Information Technology may
issue from time to time. You are expected to take reasonable measures to
ensure that traffic entering the Rice network from other networks conforms
to this policy. Conversely, you are expected to take similar measures to
avoid situations where traffic from the Rice network violates the policies
of connecting networks.
The unauthorized use of resources is prohibited and, in many cases, may be
violations of the law. We are guided by the law in noting that
unauthorized use includes, but is not limited to the following types of
activities.
Harassment or threats to specific individuals, or a class of
individuals:
- Transmitting unsolicited information that contains obscene,
indecent, lewd or lascivious material or other material which explicitly
or implicitly refers to sexual conduct.
- Using e-mail or newsgroups to threaten or stalk someone.
- Transmitting unsolicited information that contains profane language
or panders to bigotry, sexism, or other forms of prohibited
discrimination.
Interference or impairment to the activities of others:
- Creating, modifying, executing or retransmitting any computer
program or instructions intended to (1) obscure the true identity of the
sender of electronic mail or electronic messages, such as the forgery of
electronic mail or the alteration of system or user data used to identify
the sender of electronic e-mail, (2) bypass, subvert, or otherwise render
ineffective the security or access control measures on any network or
computer system without the permission of the owner, or (3) examine or
collect data from the network (e.g., a "network sniffer" program).
- Authorizing another person or organization to use your computer
accounts or Rice network resources. You are responsible for all use of
your accounts. You must take all reasonable precautions, including
password maintenance and file protection measures, to prevent use of your
account by unauthorized persons. You must not share your password with
anyone else or provide access to Rice network resources to unauthorized
persons.
- Communicating or using any password, personal identification
number, credit card number or other personal or financial information
without the permission of its owner.
Unauthorized access and use of the resources of others:
- Use of University resources to gain unauthorized access to
resources of this or other institutions, organizations, or individuals.
- Use of false or misleading information for the purpose of obtaining
access to unauthorized resources.
- Accessing, altering, copying, moving, or removing information,
proprietary software or other files (including programs, libraries, data
and electronic mail) from any network system or files of other users
without prior authorization (e.g., use of a "network sniffer" program).
- Making unauthorized copies of copyrighted materials. You should
assume all software, graphic images, music, and the like are copyrighted.
Copying or downloading copyrighted materials without the authorization of
the copyright owner is against the law, and may result in civil and
criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment.
Damage or impairment of University resources:
- Use of any resource irresponsibly or in a manner that adversely
affects the work of others. This includes intentionally, recklessly or
negligently (1) damaging any system (e.g., by the introduction of any
so-called "virus", "worm", or "trojan-horse" program), (2) damaging or
violating the privacy of information not belonging to you, or (3)
misusing or allowing misuse of system resources.
- Use of University resources for non-University related activities
that unduly increase network load (e.g., chain mail, network games and
spamming).
Unauthorized commercial activities: - Using
University resources for one's own commercial gain, or for other
commercial purposes not officially approved by the University, including
web ads.
- Using University resources to operate or support a non-University
related business.
- Use of University resources in a manner inconsistent with the
University's contractual obligations to suppliers of those resources or
with any published University policy.
Violation of city, state or federal laws:
- Pirating software, music and images.
- Effecting or receiving unauthorized electronic transfer of funds.
- Disseminating child pornography or other obscene material.
- Violating any laws or participating in the commission or
furtherance of any crime or other unlawful or improper purpose.
When Inappropriate Use of Computer Resources Occurs
The use of University resources is a privilege. The resources have always
been, and will remain, the property of the University.
It is your responsibility to promptly report any violation of this policy
or other University code, policy or guideline. In addition, you must
report any information relating to a flaw in or bypass of resource
security to: violation@rice.edu.
Reports of unauthorized use or misuse of the resources will be
investigated pursuant to standard University procedures. All illegal
activities will be reported to local, state or federal authorities, as
appropriate, for investigation and prosecution.
While the University desires to maintain user privacy and to avoid the
unnecessary interruption of user activities, the University reserves the
right to investigate unauthorized or improper use of University resources,
which may include the inspection of data stored or transmitted on the
network. In the event that use is determined to be contrary to University
policy or applicable law, appropriate measures will be taken. These
measures may include, but are not limited to, permanent or temporary
suspension of user privileges, deletion of files, disconnection from the
Rice network, referral to student or employee disciplinary processes, and
cooperating with the appropriate law enforcement officials and government
agencies.
The University is not responsible for information, including photographic
images and musical recordings, published on or accessible through personal
web pages, including personal home pages. The University does not monitor
the contents of these personal web pages. The individual or group
creating or maintaining personal web pages is solely responsible for the
content of the web page and may be held civilly and criminally liable for
the materials posted on the web site. University guidelines for creating
and maintaining web pages may be found on the Information Technology web
page.
Information on Applicable Laws and Statutes
All users of the University computer and information resources are
expected to be familiar with and to abide by University codes and
policies, as well as local, state and federal laws relating to electronic
media, copyrights, privacy, and security. A discussion of these laws and
their relationship to the appropriate use of University resources may be
found on the Information Technology web page.
Questions Relating to This Policy
The examples of unauthorized use set forth above are not meant to be
exhaustive. Answers to commonly asked questions about the appropriate use
of University computer and information network resources and examples of
actions that would violate this policy are discussed on the Information
Technology web page. Additional questions about this policy or of the
applicability of this policy to a particular situation should be referred
to: violation@rice.edu. The Vice President for Information Technology is
the final authority on questions of appropriate use of University
resources. Whenever you are in doubt regarding an issue of questionable
use, it is in your best interest to resolve the issue before pursuing any
questionable use of University resources.
| Malcolm Gillis, President
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- Policy No. 832-93
- August 25, 1993
- Revised: February 15, 1999
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