Augusta State University • 2500 Walton Way • Augusta, Georgia 30904 - 2200
Last Modified: September 19, 2006 by cab
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| INFORMATION FOR Prospective
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PREFACE: Respect for intellectual labor and creativity is vital to academic discourse and enterprise. This principle applies to works of all authors and publishers in all media. It encompasses respect for the right to acknowledgment, the right to privacy, and the right to determine the form, manner, and terms of publication and distribution. Because electronic information is volatile and easily reproduced, respect for the work and personal 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. (The EDUCOM Code.) 1. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSEThis document constitutes a campus-wide policy intended to allow for the proper use of all Augusta State University computing and network resources, effective protection of individual users, equitable access, and proper management of those resources. This should be taken in the broadest possible sense. This policy applies to Augusta State University network usage even in situations where it would not apply to the computer(s) in use. These guidelines are intended to supplement, not replace, all existing laws, regulations, agreements, and contracts which currently apply to these services.Access to networks and computer systems owned or operated by Augusta State University imposes certain responsibilities and obligations and is granted subject to University policies and local, state, and federal laws. Appropriate use should always be legal, be ethical, reflect academic honesty, reflect community standards, and show restraint in the consumption of shared resources. It should demonstrate respect for intellectual property; ownership of data; system security mechanisms; and individuals rights to privacy and to freedom from intimidation, harassment, and unwarranted annoyance. Appropriate use of computing and networking resources includes instruction; independent study; authorized research; independent research; communications; and official work of the offices, units, recognized student and campus organizations, and agencies of the University. 2. DEFINITIONS2.1. Authorized useAuthorized use is predicated on access by an authorized user. Authorized use is that which is consistent with the academic, research and service goals of this institution and falls within the guidelines of this policy and the policy of the Board of Regents which states that property owned by the institution shall be used only for institutional purposes.2.2. Authorized usersAuthorized users are: (1) current faculty, staff, and students of the Institute; (2) anyone connecting to a public information service (see section 6.5); (3) others whose access furthers the mission of the University and whose usage does not interfere with other users' access to resources. In addition, a user must be specifically authorized to use a particular computing or network resource by the campus unit responsible for the resource.3. INDIVIDUAL PRIVILEGESIt is the following individual privileges, all of which are currently existent at Augusta State University, that empower each of us to be productive members of the campus community. It must be understood that privileges reconditioned upon acceptance of the accompanying responsibilities.3.1. PrivacyTo the greatest extent possible in a public setting we want to preserve the individual's privacy. Electronic and other technological methods must not be used to infringe upon privacy. However, users must recognize that Augusta State University computer systems and networks are public and subject to the Georgia Open Records Act.3.2. Freedom of expressionThe constitutional right to freedom of speech applies to all members of the campus no matter the medium used. Augusta State University computer and network users should realize that there are services available on the Internet which maybe considered offensive to some. With this in mind, users take responsibility for their own navigation of the network.3.3. Ownership of intellectual worksPeople creating intellectual works using Augusta State University computers or networks, including but not limited to software, should consult Determination of Rights and Equities in Intellectual Property (Board of Regents Policy Manual, section 603.03, 2/2/94 and any subsequent revisions).3.4. Freedom from harassment and undesired informationAll members of the campus have the right not to be harassed by computer or network usage by others. (See 4.1.3.)4. INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITIESJust as certain privileges are given to each member of the campus community, each of us is held accountable for our actions as a condition of continued membership in the community. The interplay of privileges and responsibilities within each individual situation and across campus engenders the trust and intellectual freedom that form the heart of our community. This trust and freedom are grounded on each person's developing the skills necessary to be an active and contributing member of the community. These skills include an awareness and knowledge about information and the technology used to process, store, and transmit it.4.1. Common courtesy and respect for rights of othersYou are responsible to all other members of the campus community in many ways, including to respect and value the rights of privacy for all, to recognize and respect the diversity of the population and opinion in the community, to behave ethically, and to comply with all legal restrictions regarding the use of information that is the property of others.4.1.1. Privacy of informationFiles of personal information, including programs, no matter on what medium they are stored or transmitted, may be subject to the Georgia Open Records Act if stored on Augusta State University's computers. That fact notwithstanding, no one should look at, copy, alter, or destroy anyone else's personal files without explicit permission (unless authorized or required to do so by law or regulation). Simply being able to access a file or other information does not imply permission to do so.Similarly, no one should connect to a host on the network without advance permission in some form. People and organizations link computers to the network for numerous different reasons, and many consider unwelcome connects to be attempts to invade their privacy or compromise their security. 4.1.2. Intellectual propertyYou are responsible for recognizing (attributing) and honoring the intellectual property rights of others.4.1.3. HarassmentNo member of the community may, under any circumstances, use Augusta State University's computers or networks to libel, slander, or harass any other person.The following shall constitute Computer Harassment: (1) Intentionally using the computer to annoy, harass, terrify, intimidate, or threaten another person by conveying obscene language, pictures, or other materials or threats of bodily harm to the recipient or the recipient's immediate family; (2) Intentionally using the computer to contact another person repeatedly with the intent to annoy or harass whether or not any actual message is communicated, and/or where no purpose of legitimate communication exists, and where the recipient has expressed a desire for the communication to cease; (3) Intentionally using the computer to contact another person repeatedly regarding a matter for which one does not have a legal right to communicate, once the recipient has provided reasonable notice that he or she desires such communication to cease (such as debt collection); (4) Intentionally using the computer to disrupt or damage the academic, research, administrative, or related pursuits of another; (5)Intentionally using the computer to invade the privacy, academic or otherwise, of another or the threatened invasion of the privacy of another. 4.2. Responsible use of resourcesYou are responsible for knowing what information resources (including networks) are available, remembering that the members of the community share them, and refraining from all acts that waste or prevent others from using these resources or from using them in whatever ways have been proscribed by the University and the laws of the State and Federal governments. Details regarding available resources are available in many ways, including, conferring with other users or examining on-line and printed references maintained by Information Technology Services.4.3. Game playingLimited recreational game playing, that is not part of an authorized and assigned research or instructional activity, is tolerated. University computing and network services are not to be used for extensive or competitive recreational game playing. Recreational game players occupying a seat in a public computing facility must give up that seat when others who need to use the facility for academic or research purposes are waiting.4.4. Information integrityIt is your responsibility to be aware of the potential for and possible effects of manipulating information, especially in electronic form, to understand the changeable nature of electronically stored information, and to verify the integrity and completeness of information that you compile or use. Do not depend on information or communications to be correct when they appear contrary to your expectations; verify it with the person who you believe originated the message or data.4.5. Use of desktop systemsYou are responsible for the security and integrity of University information stored on your personal desktop system. This responsibility includes making regular disk backups, controlling physical and network access to the machine, and using virus protection software. Avoid storing passwords or other information that can be used to gain access to other campus computing resources.4.6. Access to facilities and information4.6.1. Sharing of accessComputer accounts, passwords, and other types of authorization are assigned to individual users and must not be shared with others. You are responsible for any use of your account.4.6.2. Permitting unauthorized accessYou may not run or otherwise configure software or hardware to intentionally allow access by unauthorized users. (See section 2.2.)4.6.3. Use of privileged accessSpecial access to information or other special computing privileges are to be used in performance of official duties only. Information that you obtain through special privileges is to be treated as private.4.6.4. Termination of accessWhen you cease being a member of the campus community (graduate or terminate employment), or if you are assigned a new position and/or responsibilities within the University, your access authorization must be reviewed. You must not use facilities, accounts, access codes, privileges, or information for which you are not authorized in your new circumstances.4.7. Attempts to circumvent securityUsers are prohibited from attempting to circumvent or subvert any system's security measures. This section does not prohibit use of security tools by system administration personnel.4.7.1. Decoding access control informationYou are prohibited from using any computer program or device to intercept or decode passwords or similar access control information.4.7.2. Denial of serviceDeliberate attempts to degrade the performance of a computer system or network or to deprive authorized personnel of resources or access to any University computer system or network are prohibited.4.7.3. Harmful activitiesThe following harmful activities are prohibited: creating or propagating viruses; disrupting services; damaging files; intentional destruction of or damage to equipment, software, or data belonging to Augusta State University or other users; and the like.4.7.4. Unauthorized accessYou may not:
4.7.5. Unauthorized monitoringYou may not use computing resources for unauthorized monitoring of electronic communications.4.8. Academic dishonestyYou should always use computing resources in accordance with the high ethical standards of the University community. Academic dishonesty (plagiarism, cheating) is a violation of those standards.4.9. Use of copyrighted information and materialsYou are prohibited from using, inspecting, copying, or storing copyrighted computer programs and other material, in violation of copyright.4.10. Use of licensed softwareNo software may be installed, copied, or used on University resources except as permitted by the owner of the software. Software subject to licensing must be properly licensed and all license provisions (installation, use, copying, number of simultaneous users, term of license, etc.) must be strictly adhered to.4.11. Political campaigning; commercial advertisingBoard of Regents policy (section 914.01) states "The use of System materials, supplies, equipment, machinery, or vehicles in political campaigns is forbidden." The Augusta State University Employee Handbook (page 24)addresses the prohibition of canvassing and soliciting on campus. The use of University computers and networks shall conform to these policies.4.12. Personal businessComputing facilities, services, and networks may not be used in connection with compensated outside work nor for the benefit of organizations not related to Augusta State University, except: in connection with scholarly pursuits (such as faculty publishing activities); except in a purely incidental way. This and any other incidental use (such as electronic communications or storing data on single-user machines) must not interfere with other users' access to resources(computer cycles, network bandwidth, disk space, printers, etc.) and must not be excessive. State law restricts the use of State facilities for personal gain or benefit.5. Augusta State University PRIVILEGES5.1. Allocation of resourcesAugusta State University may allocate resources in differential ways in order to achieve its overall mission.5.2. Control of access to informationAugusta State University may control access to its information and the devices on which it is stored, manipulated, and transmitted, in accordance with the laws of Georgia and the United States and the policies of the University and the Board of Regents.5.3. Imposition of sanctionsAugusta State University may impose sanctions and punishments on anyone who violates the policies of the University regarding computer and network usage.5.4. System administration accessA System Administrator (i.e., the person responsible for the technical operations of a particular machine) may access other's files for the maintenance of networks and computer and storage systems, such as to create backup copies of media. However, in all cases, all individuals' privileges and rights of privacy are to be preserved to the greatest extent possible.. 5.5. Monitoring of usage, inspection of filesUnits of Augusta State University operating computers and networks may routinely monitor and log data and usage statistics, such as network session connection times and end-points, CPU and disk utilization for each user, security audit trails, network loading, etc. These units may review this data for evidence of violation of law or policy, and other purposes.When necessary, these units may monitor all the activities of and inspect the files of specific users on their computers and networks. Any person who believes such monitoring or inspecting is necessary must obtain the concurrence of the unit head and the campus Legal Division. In all cases all individuals' privileges and right of privacy are to be preserved to the greatest extent possible. 5.6. Suspension of individual privilegesUnits of Augusta State University operating computers and networks may suspend computer and network privileges of an individual for reasons relating to his/her physical or emotional safety and well being, or for reasons relating to the safety and well-being of other members of the campus community, or University property. Access will be promptly restored when safety and well-being can be reasonably assured, unless access is to remain suspended as a result of formal disciplinary action imposed by the Dean of Students office (for students)or the employee's department in consultation with the Personnel office (for employees).6. Augusta State University RESPONSIBILITIES6.1. Security proceduresAugusta State University has the responsibility to develop, implement, maintain, and enforce appropriate security procedures to ensure the integrity of individual and institutional information, however stored, and to impose appropriate penalties when privacy is purposefully abridged.6.2. Anti-harassment proceduresAugusta State University has the responsibility to develop, implement, maintain, and enforce appropriate procedures to discourage harassment by use of its computers or networks and to impose appropriate penalties when such harassment takes place.6.3. Upholding of copyrights and license provisionsAugusta State University has the responsibility to uphold all copyrights, laws governing access and use of information, and rules of organizations supplying information resources to members of the community (e.g., acceptable use policies for use of Internet).6.4. Individual unit responsibilitiesEach unit has the responsibility of:
6.5. Public information servicesUnits and individuals may, with the permission of the appropriate unit head, configure computing systems to provide information retrieval services to the public at large. (Current examples include "anonymous FTP", "gopher","Web") However, in so doing, particular attention must be paid to the following sections of this policy: 2.1 (authorized use [must be consistent with the University mission]), 3.3 (ownership of intellectual works), 4.2(responsible use of resources), 4.9 (use of copyrighted information and materials), 4.10 (use of licensed software), and 6.4 (individual unit responsibilities). Usage of public services must not cause computer or network loading that impairs other services.7. PROCEDURES AND SANCTIONS7.1. Investigative contactIf you are contacted by a representative from an external organization(District Attorney's Office, FBI, GBI, Southern Bell Security Services, etc.)who is conducting an investigation of an alleged violation involving Augusta State University computing and networking resources, inform the office of the Director of Information Technology Services immediately. Refer the requesting agency to the office of Information Technology Services; that office will provide guidance regarding the appropriate actions to be taken.7.2. Responding to security and abuse incidentsAll users and units have the responsibility to report any discovered unauthorized access attempts or other improper usage of Augusta State University computers, networks, or other information processing equipment. If you observe, or have reported to you (other than as in 7.1 above), a security or abuse problem with any University computer or network facilities, including violations of this policy:
7.3. First and minor incidentIf a person appears to have violated this policy, and (1) the violation is deemed minor by Information Technology Services, and (2) the person has not been implicated in prior incidents, then the incident may be dealt with at the Information Technology Services or unit level. The alleged offender will be furnished a copy of the Computer and Network Usage Policy (this document), and will sign a form agreeing to conform to the policy.7.4. Subsequent and/or major violationsReports of subsequent or major violations will be forwarded to the Dean of Students office (for students) or the unit head (for employees) for the determination of sanctions to be imposed. Units should consult the Personnel office regarding appropriate action(for employees).7.5. Range of disciplinary sanctionsPersons in violation of this policy are subject to the full range of sanctions, including the loss of computer or network access privileges, disciplinary action, dismissal from the University, and legal action. Some violations may constitute criminal offenses, as outlined in the Georgia Computer Systems Protection Act and other local, state, and federal laws; the University will carry out its responsibility to report such violations to the appropriate authorities.7.6. AppealsAppeals should be directed through the already-existing procedures established for employees and students.Note: These policies were modeled after the computer and network policies developed by Georgia Institute of Technology.
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Augusta State University • 2500 Walton Way • Augusta, Georgia 30904 - 2200 Last Modified: September 19, 2006 by cab Send comments about this website to Information Technology Services |