INDEX

Introduction
Table of Contents

Policies in Process

Preliminaries

Policies

1. Legal Authority and Governance

2. University-wide

3. Presidential Area

4. Academic Affairs

5. Business Affairs

6. Student Life

7. University Advancement

8. Administrative Services

Conditions of Computer Use

Policy Statement

Users of Marywood University computing facilities and services are held to high ethical standards. These conditions of use are based on the "spiritual, ethical and religious values and a tradition of service" expressed in the Mission Statement of the University. They underscore responsible, ethical, legal, and secure use of the campus-wide information system, and they derive from standards of common sense and common decency that apply to any shared resource. Responsibility extends to access, use of information, and distribution of data.

Marywood University administrators, faculty members, staff, and students may use the computers in all public computing facilities for research work and classroom assignments. Within the limitations of lab scheduling, students have priority over others for use of the facilities. Anyone who is not a currently enrolled student or employee may use the public facilities only at the discretion of University staff. Marywood University does not assume any liability for data loss. Those who use its computers do so at their own risk. Use of administrative computers is authorized with the permission of the appropriate department head.

Access to the Marywood computer system is not a right, but a privilege. When individuals log on to the University's computer system, they become responsible for adhering to University policy and state and federal laws governing individual privacy rights and confidentiality. The following list is not all-inclusive:

1. They respect the privacy of others by not attempting to access their accounts or tampering with their data.
   
   
2. They honor the intellectual rights of others by avoiding copyright infringement. This includes all Marywood University-owned computers, i.e., computers purchased with University funds.
   
   
3. They respect the policies and procedures of external networks, such as the Internet and systems that can be accessed via the Internet.
   
   
4. They do not make or use unauthorized copies of copyrighted or licensed programs or data. They only use authorized copies in full accord with the license agreement and national and international laws.
   
   
5. They do not attempt to bypass any security system in order to access privileged information or alter existing interfaces.
   
   
6. They do not develop or use programs, transactions, data, or processes that harass other users, infiltrate the system, or damage or alter data or software.
   
   
7. They do not develop or use mechanisms to alter University records.
   
   
8. They do not load or use personal or existing programs that affect the stability of systems, or use programs in an attempt to hinder or harass others.
   
   
9. They do not load software in classroom or computer labs, drop-in facilities, or other University-owned computers.
   
   
10. They use only their own User ID and password; rights to individual accounts are not transferable. All members of the University community are responsible for securing their passwords. All passwords are to be treated as confidential University information.
    
    
11. They respect the civil rights of others to an open and hospitable environment, regardless of race, sex, color, national or ethnic origin, age, creed, ancestry, religion, disability, or any other legally protected status, and with respect to sexual harassment including e-mailing inappropriate messages.
    
    
12. They do not use University owned or operated computers for a personal business.
    
    
13. They do not open or download pornographic materials or other materials that violate the Mission Statement of the University.
    
    
14. They use resources efficiently, avoiding printing large amounts of unnecessary information or downloading files for long periods of time.
    
    
15. They do not damage or alter equipment or software either physically or with a virus. They do not bring food or drink into computer labs, drop-in areas, near computers or computer-related equipment.
    
    
16. They abide by an instructor's requirements for computer use, including participation in an on-line course or in a listserv. They honor an instructor's right to allow or disallow use of a computer while the room is in use for instructional purposes. They do not disrupt a class that is being held in a computer lab or other technologically oriented facility, such as broadcast studio or video conferencing room.

Marywood University reserves the right to monitor and record any action performed while using the computer system. An audit trail is kept by system management software. If it is determined that use is contrary to Marywood policy, the appropriate department may examine the user's actions. If computing staff members suspect that any of these conditions are being violated, staff will initiate an investigation through the appropriate agency on campus. During the investigation, the account in question and all computing services may be suspended.

Privacy is neither a goal nor a condition of the University's computing system. There is not an expectation of privacy with regard to the information stored on University-owned or operated computers or, when applicable, other computers attached to the Marywood University network; and there are no specific laws, rules, or regulations that protect the privacy of a user's files, electronic mail messages, or any other information retrieved as a result of a person's session on the Marywood system.

While Marywood University respects an individual's privacy whenever possible, it does have and will exercise its right to examine a University-owned or operated computer and its contents if there is a reasonable indication that it has been used to download or store illegal materials, such as pornography or illegal software.

Marywood University reserves the right to report suspected criminal offenses to civil authorities. Institutional disciplinary charges may be filed in addition to civil actions.

These conditions of use have been established for the protection of all users but provide neither absolute security nor unqualified privacy.

Definitions

System is used in a generic sense to refer to the aggregate of all hardware and software owned or licensed by Marywood University, including the network.

As a general matter, copyright infringement occurs when a copyrighted work is reproduced, distributed, performed, publicly displayed, or made into a derivative work without the permission of the copyright owner.

Procedures

Contact the Assistant to the Vice President for Academic Affairs for Technology with questions about computer network support of instructional, research, and service activities.

Contact the Director of Management Information Systems with questions about computer network support of administrative activities.

Contact the Director of Network Services with questions about voice and data network design and maintenance, desk-top computer repairs and installations.

Related Policies and Committees

University Standing Committee: Technology Advisory Committee
University Standing Committee: Academic Computing Advisory Committee
Policy: Home Page Policy
Policy: Web Pages

History of the Policy

01/10/97 - Recommended to the President by the College Committee on Policy
02/06/97 - Approved by the President of the University with publication of The President's Memo
04/17/04 - Revision approved by the President of the University as recommended by the Policy Committee of the University