POLICY ON CAMPUS COMPUTING AND NETWORK USE

 

Introduction:

The Lambuth University provides campus-wide computing facilities and network services to students, faculty, and staff as support to the instructional and research mission of the University. The University strives to provide fair and distributed access to computing and network facilities for a large number of users. The proper use of technology resources follows the same standards of common sense, courtesy, and restraint that govern the use of other shared resources on campus. Improper use prevents others from accessing shared facilities.

 

Individual Responsibilities:

The interplay of privilege and responsibility related to technology and other resources is intended to engender trust and intellectual freedom that forms the heart of our community. Each person is expected to balance his or her privilege and responsibility and be an active and contributing member of the community. Awareness and knowledge regarding the use of information and the technology used to process, store, and transmit it is expected of every Lambuth student. The use of Lambuth’s computer facilities and network is a privilege, not a right. Each individual is responsible for selecting; viewing, and utilizing appropriate resources and avoiding excessive use of the system that could interfere with other University purposes. The following policies and practices are intended to be helpful in the proper use of Lambuth’s technology resources.

 

Policies and Practices:

These policies and practices apply to all computers connected to the campus network, including those in residence halls and all other campus buildings and facilities. They also apply to individuals using remote access connections. In addition to access of the campus network, the University provides access to other networks or computers. Each network or system has its own set of policies and procedures. User (i.e. any student using any network or campus computing facility) must abide by the policies and procedures of these other networks and systems.

 

A.     Network Connection:  Services provided by Lambuth University include, but are not limited to: Internet access; FTP; Telnet; and World Wide Web services.

1.   By connecting to the Lambuth University network, the student user agrees to abide by the policies and practices involving network access. The user also agrees to hold harmless Lambuth University from any claims resulting from use of this service. Lambuth University specifically denies any responsibility for accuracy or quality of information obtained through its services including, and not limited to, costs incurred as a result of loss or use of computer programs or data, claims by third parties, or similar costs.

2.   By connecting to the Lambuth University network, the user grants permission to Lambuth University to enforce the terms and conditions of Internet usage policies and practices.

3.   User is allowed one Internet connection in the residence hall room to which she or he is assigned by the housing office.

4.   User must have anti-virus software installed on any systems connected to the network. User is responsible for keeping anti-virus software updated. Network privileges will be revoked for any user failing to maintain updated anti-virus software.

5.   User is responsible for keeping operating systems software updated. Network privileges will be revoked for any user failing to maintain updated system software.

6.      User will attach no router, switch, hub or server is to the Lambuth network. Any devices that provide such services will be immediately disconnected from the campus network. All types of servers are prohibited, including but not limited to, web servers, FTP servers, IRC/chat servers, streaming audio/video servers, web cameras, DHCP servers, mail servers, anonymous remailers, and file servers. This includes Windows and MacOS personal file sharing services.

8.   Use of any type of "packet sniffing" or other similar program or device by Users is strictly prohibited

9.   Systems found to be running programs that disrupt network services or attack (including Denial of Service attacks) machines on or outside the campus network will be disconnected immediately. Depending upon the situation, disciplinary action may be taken by the University                       

10. The distribution of copyright protected materials is illegal and is in direct violation of this Policy. Distribution of copyright protected software is similarly prohibited unless the copyright specifically allows redistribution, such as software covered under a "freeware" type license, such as the GNU general public license, or by express permission of the copyright holder.

11. User is responsible for all traffic originating from their machine, regardless of whether they generated it or realize that they have violated any specific policies. In most cases, unintentional violations will result in a temporary loss of network access pending the resolution of the problem.

12. Use of information or software obtained via Lambuth’s services is at the student's own risk.

13. User cannot make use of the network for commercial use or financial gain.

 

B.   Use of Computer Laboratories and Other Campus Computer Facilities: Lambuth provides a number of computer laboratories and other communal computer facilities for the general academic use of students.

1.   Misuse or damage of hardware, software, network resources, or materials in computer laboratories will result disciplinary action.

2.   User must respect the integrity of the physical computing facilities and controls, and respect all pertinent policies, laws, licenses, and contractual agreements.

3.   The same responsibilities apply to the use of computers in the computer laboratories as stated elsewhere in these policies and practices.

 

C.  E-mail and Access to Network Connected Computers: Students may use the campus network

for sending and receiving e-mail communications.

1.   The content and maintenance of a user's electronic mailbox are the user's responsibility. Users are expected to check their electronic mail frequently and delete unwanted messages as soon as possible. Note that the University does not provide facilities for sending or receiving confidential messages, as outlined in the Electronic and Communications Privacy Act of 1989, Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2510 and following. Therefore, electronic mail messages are not private and can be accessed by others. The contents and maintenance of the user's own storage area is the user's responsibility. As such, the user is expected to keep the number of files to a minimum.

2.      User is prohibited form sending abusive, threatening, or harassing messages.

3.      E-mail is intended to be private, and viewable only by the student and the person to whom it is addressed. The person to whom the e-mail is addressed is not legally required to keep it private.

4.   E-mail is sent plain text over a network and Lambuth University cannot guarantee that others will not view it. The University does not guarantee the confidentiality of any information entering or residing on the network.

 

D.      Enforcement of Policies and Disciplinary Action: The University will take such action as is necessary to insure the proper use of computing and network resources.

1.   Lambuth University reserves the right to manage and control the network and/or facilities of the University and to take such actions it deems necessary to guarantee the integrity and functionality of the network and/or other facilities.

2.   The University reserves the right to access and examine any system connected to the Lambuth network.

3.   Alleged violations of policy will be investigated. During an investigation, University representatives, with due regard for the right of privacy of users and the confidentiality of their data, reserve the right to suspend or modify computer access privileges, monitor network access, examine files, passwords, and accounting information, printouts, tapes, and other material which might aid in an investigation of possible violation. Whenever possible, notification of the user will be given in advance. Users are expected to cooperate in such investigations.

4.   Violations of policy will result in disciplinary actions as prescribed by University policies and procedures.

5.   All material in violation of U.S. and state regulations is prohibited. This includes threatening or obscene material, or material protected by trade secret. Harassment of others in any form: e-mail, viruses, malicious or destructive behavior, and sending unsolicited commercial e-mail or chain letters is prohibited and will result in immediate termination of the account. If a student uses another organization’s network or computing resources, the student is subject to the organization’s respective permission and usage policies.

 

E.   Support Provided by Lambuth Technology Staff:

1.   The technology staff of the University will assist user in initial connection to the network.

2.   Technology staff will assist in the resolution of any problems related to network connection and will provide such consultation as appropriate regarding computer issues.

3.   The Lambuth University technology staff does not take responsibility for routine maintenance of personal computers of students. This includes the correction of any problem resulting from failure to have updated system and anti-virus software.

 

The University revises these policies and practices from time to time. Should a change occur subsequent to the printing of the Student Handbook, the University will make a reasonable effort to notify campus network and computing facility users of the change.

 

 

 

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