Guidelines for Appropriate Use of University of Wisconsin-Superior
Information Technology Resources
Access to electronic mail,
the Internet, databases, computers and other information technology (IT)
resources is essential to the mission of UW-Superior, and the achievement of
excellence requires their effective use by all faculty, staff and students.
Use of information
technology must be consistent with the University's mission and with its role
as a public agency. Each member of the University community is expected to
protect the integrity of these resources and to know and adhere to University
rules, regulations and guidelines for their appropriate use.
Regulations that govern
personal conduct and use of University facilities* also apply to the use of
information technology resources. In addition, the following guidelines apply
more specifically to use of IT resources.
General Guidelines
Access to University IT
resources is a privilege granted to members of the University community. This
access privilege carries with it the responsibility to use IT resources for
University related activities, exercising common sense and civility.
Individuals using UW-Superior information technology resources agree to follow
all applicable policies, rules, and laws.
The primary governing policy is the Board of Regents Policy on Use of
University Information Technology Resources, available at http://www.uwsa.edu/bor/policies/rpd/rpd25-3.htm. UW-Superior information technology policies
are available at http://www.uwsuper.edu/technology/policies/.
Individual Responsibility
Authorization for use of IT
facilities is provided to each individual for his or her own use. No person may
use an authorization belonging to someone else. In many cases the University
has obtained access to resources exclusively for the use of members of the
University community.
Security
The protection of University
IT resources depends heavily on each user's careful handling of
"keys" to these resources, since any account can serve as an entry
point for theft, damage or unauthorized use. Users must protect the
confidentiality of their personal identification codes and passwords and are
expected to exercise reasonable care to insure that others cannot use their
accounts.
Unauthorized Access
Individuals
may not obtain or
use--or attempt to obtain or use--passwords, IP addresses or other network
codes that have not been assigned to them as individuals or authorized for
their use as University employees. Individuals may not obtain--or
attempt to obtain--unauthorized access to computer accounts, network resources,
software, files, or any other University IT resources.
Malicious Activity
Individuals
may not alter or
intentionally damage software or data belonging to someone else or interfere
with another person's authorized access to IT resources. Users may not
intentionally disrupt or damage University computers or networks in any way.
Impersonation and Anonymity
Users of University IT
resources may not send electronic messages or post web sites with the
sender's identity forged, or send anonymous messages unless the recipient has
agreed to receive anonymous messages.
Use
of Intellectual Property
Creation of intellectual
property is central to the purpose of the university. Respect for and proper use of creative works
demonstrates understanding of this process.
Users of University IT resources are expected to understand and comply
with applicable copyright laws. Users
should assume that any information not created by them is the property of
others. Examples of prohibited
activities include electronic publishing of documents or peer-to-peer file
sharing without permission of the copyright holder, or unlicensed use of
software. This statement is not intended
to limit “fair use” as permitted under the Copyright Act, or other permitted
educational uses of creative works.
Confidentiality
of Student Data
Faculty and staff need to be aware of the legal issues relating to confidentiality of student data. Only "directory" information can be disclosed without the student’s written permission. Directory information includes: name, address, telephone number, date of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received and the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended. A student may request that the above data also be restricted. If the student's address indicates the data is restricted, NO information about that student can be released without the student's written permission. Members of the university faculty and staff have a right to access certain student information based on the need to know and provided it is for legitimate educational purposes. Information about a student's GPA, placement test scores, current schedule, courses taken, grades and all other academic and biographical data cannot be released without the student's written permission. With access to computerized student data, staff have the responsibility to serve as a custodian of that data. As a part of that responsibility they must insure the security of access to the data and must not discuss the information with other staff except for educational purposes. Students should not have access to staff computers or be able to view information about other students. There must be a balance between access and security of information. When staff access student information to teach and advise students, they should understand and respect the student’s rights to privacy.
Commercial, Political and Non-University Activities
Individuals may not use University IT resources to sell or solicit sales for any goods, services or contributions unless such use conforms to UW-Superior rules and regulations governing the use of University resources. University employees may not use these resources to support the nomination of any person for political office or to influence a vote in any election or referendum. No one may use University IT resources to represent the interests of any non-University group or organization unless authorized by an appropriate University department.
Personal Use of Information Technology Resources
In
the interest of making the use of IT resources a natural part of the day-to-day
learning and work of all members of the University community, incidental
personal use is tolerated. However, one should use non-University sources of
e-mail, Internet access, and other IT services for activities of an extensive
nature that are not related to University purposes. Messages sent on University equipment are considered
to be public records.
Campus Email
Campus email is an official
means of communication that students are encouraged to use. Some of its useful features include
distribution lists, public folders and public calendars. If students elect to use another email
address, they should reroute their campus email to this address. The campus will delete unread email that is
90 days old.
Local, State and Federal Laws
Persons
may not use University IT resources to violate local, State or federal laws.
*
as published in the
Violation of University rules governing appropriate use of IT resources
may result in loss of access privileges, University disciplinary action, and/or
criminal prosecution.