Responsible Use of Information Technologies at Notre Dame
Revised June 5, 2007
Enforcement
Disclaimer
Existing University Rules and Regulations
Web Version
Introduction
This document constitutes the University policy for the management of computer networks, all computers and other devices connected to those networks, and the resources made available thereby. Responsible, acceptable use always is ethical, reflects academic honesty, and shows restraint in the consumption of shared resources. The policy respects intellectual property, ownership and/or stewardship of data, system security methods, and individuals' rights to privacy and to freedom from intimidation and harassment. University information technology resources exist to support the educational mission of Notre Dame and must be used appropriately and in accordance with local, state and federal laws. You will be held accountable for your use of University information technology resources.
Acceptable Use
Institutional Purposes
University information technology resources are to be used exclusively to advance the University’s mission of education, research, and public service. Faculty, staff, and students may use these resources only for purposes related to their studies, their responsibilities for providing instruction, the discharge of their duties as employees, their official business with the University, and other University-sanctioned or authorized activities. The use of University information technology resources for commercial purposes including any sort of solicitation is prohibited, absent prior written permission of the appropriate University official(s).
The University acknowledges that occasionally faculty, staff, and students use University information technology resources assigned to them or to which they are granted access for non-commercial, personal use. Such occasional non-commercial uses are permitted by faculty, staff, and students, if they are not excessive, do not interfere with the performance of any faculty, staff member, or student’s duties, do not interfere with the efficient operation of the University or its technology resources, and are not otherwise prohibited by this policy or any other University policy or directive. Decisions as to whether a particular use of information technology resources conforms to this policy shall be made by the Provost’s Office if the use involves faculty; by the Office of Student Affairs if the use involves students; and by the Office of Human Resources if the use involves administrators or staff.Impermissible Use
Computing resources may only be used for lawful purposes, and may not be used for any of the following purposes, or any other purpose that is illegal, immoral, unethical, dishonest, damaging to the reputation of the University, inconsistent with the mission of the University, or likely to subject the University to liability. Impermissible uses (some of which may also constitute illegal uses) include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Harassment
- Libel or slander
- Fraud or misrepresentation
- Destruction of or damage to equipment, software, or data belonging to the University or others
- Disruption or unauthorized monitoring of electronic communications
- Unauthorized scanning of network nodes
- Unauthorized copying or transmission of copyright-protected material
- Use of the University’s trademarks, logos, insignia, or copyrights without prior approval
- Violation or circumvention of computer system/network security
- Unauthorized use of computer accounts, access codes (including passwords), or network identification numbers (including e-mail addresses) assigned to others
- Use of computer communications facilities in ways that unnecessarily impede the computing activities of others (such as randomly initiating interactive electronic communications or e-mail exchanges, overuse of interactive network utilities or bandwidth)
- Development or use of unapproved mailing lists
- Use of computing facilities for private business purposes unrelated to the mission of the University or to University life
- Academic dishonesty
- Academic Honor Code violations
- Violation of software license agreements
- Violation of network usage policies and regulations
- Violation of privacy
- Posting, viewing, printing or sending obscene, pornographic, sexually explicit, or offensive material
- Posting, viewing, printing or sending material that is contrary to the mission or values of the University
- Intentional or negligent distribution of computer viruses
General Policies
Use of information technologies has become an integral part of many University activities. While some computing occurs on individual, non-networked computers, most information and communication systems reside on central computers and use networks to exchange information. Distributed resources, such as computer clusters, provide additional computing tools. Procedures for gaining access to and making optimal use of these resources (including the steps to be taken in lodging complaints) are available to users from the OIT Help Desk.
Responsibilities of Users
- Network accounts, passwords, and other types of authorization are assigned to individual users and must not be shared.
- Follow all IT-applicable policies, including, but not limited to, the Data Access Policy and the Strong Password Standard.
- Any protective/defensive software (e.g., virus detection) provided by OIT must be used in the manner specified by that office.
- Users have the responsibility to abide by existing regulations for the protection of sensitive institutional data. Refer to the Data Access Policy for specific guidelines and information.
Privacy and Confidentiality
The University reserves the right to inspect and examine any electronic content on any Notre Dame owned or operated communications system, computing resource, or other electronic device at any time. Permission must be granted by the appropriate University officials.
In addition, sources outside the University may, on occasion, request an inspection and/or examination of any Notre Dame owned or operated communications system, computing resource, and/or files or information contained therein. In such cases, the University will release information only if one or more of the following conditions exist:
- When authorized by the owner(s) of the information
- When required by federal, state, or local law
- When required by a valid subpoena or court order
Warning: Users of electronic mail systems should be aware that electronic mail in its present form cannot be secured and is, therefore, extremely vulnerable to unauthorized access and modification.
External Networks
Members of the University community who use networks, facilities, or computers not owned by the University shall adhere to this Responsible Use Policy when conducting University business, and shall adhere to all policies and procedures established by the administrators of non-University networks, facilities, or computers they use. Whether or not an external policy exists for non-University information technologies, the Notre Dame Responsible Use Policy shall remain in effect and shall be adhered to by members of the University community at all times.
Enforcement
The University considers any violation of Responsible Use to be a significant offense and reserves the right to disconnect systems from the network and suspend violators' use of network resources. Violations of Responsible Use shall subject users to the regular disciplinary processes and procedures of the University for students, staff, administrators, and faculty and may result in loss of their computing privileges, and other measures up to and including expulsion from the University or loss of employment. Illegal acts involving University information technology resources may also subject violators to prosecution by local, state, and/or federal authorities.
Disclaimer
As part of the services available through the Notre Dame network, the University provides access to a large number of conferences, lists, bulletin boards, and Internet information sources. These materials are not affiliated with, endorsed by, edited by, or reviewed by the University of Notre Dame, and the University takes no responsibility for the truth or accuracy of the content found within these information sources. Moreover, some of these sources may contain material that is offensive or objectionable to some users.
Existing University Rules and Regulations
This policy is intended to be an addition to existing University rules and regulations and does not alter or modify any existing University rule or regulation.
The University reserves the right to modify or amend this policy at any time in its sole discretion.
Web Version
This policy (along with additional supporting policies and standards) is available on the web at http://oit.nd.edu/policies/rup.shtml
This policy remains in effect until such time as the CIO or University Officers call for a review. Requests for exception to any portions of this policy must be presented to the University’s Chief Information Officer.
Please direct questions regarding this policy to:
Office of the Chief Information Officer
University of Notre Dame
Phone: (574) 631-9700
E-mail: cio@nd.edu