Computer
Use Policy
Internet
Use Policy
This policy describes Pacific
Union College (PUC)'s guidelines with regard to access to and
disclosure of Internet
usage by PUC users. PUC respects the individual privacy of its
users; however, user privacy does not extend to the user's use
of the PUC provided computer resources. You should be aware that
the following guidelines will affect your privacy while utilizing
the system.
PUC's
Right to Access Information
The computer resources have been installed by
PUC to facilitate college-related academic communications and
research. Although each user may have an individual password to
access the system, the system itself belongs to PUC and the contents
of any and all Internet usage are accessible at all times by PUC.
The
system may be subject to periodic unannounced inspections and
should be treated like any other shared filing system.
The
contents or records of Internet usage, properly obtained for legitimate
purposes may be disclosed without your permission. You should
not assume that messages are confidential. Back-up copies of any
file on the system may be maintained and referenced for business
and/or legal reasons and are not confidential. PUC can and will
block web addresses at the discretion of the administration. Further, PUC can and will record
web sites accessed or hit by users.
Personal
Use of the Internet
Any downloading, distributing, copying or sharing of copyrighted or proprietary material is illegal without the written authorization of the owner of the rights (17 USC §204(a)). If you are sharing, downloading, or receiving copyrighted materials such as music, video, television programs or software without written authorization of the owner of the rights, please immediately stop this to avoid legal penalties including fines of thousands of dollars from the RIAA and MPAA. Please note that downloading copyrighted materials is not anonymous and your computer can be tracked down.
PUC provides computing resources to assist you
at PUC; you should use it for academic purposes only. Incidental
and occasional personal use of the Internet is permitted by PUC.
PUC reserves the right to access and disclose as necessary, all
records of Internet usage sent over its system. Since your Internet
usage can be accessed by PUC without prior notice, you should
not use the system in any way you would not want to be published.
You should not use these systems for purposes such as soliciting
or advertising for commercial ventures, religious or personal
causes, or outside organizations, or other similar non-academic
related solicitations. If PUC discovers you are misusing the network,
you may be subject to disciplinary action, including, but not
limited to, termination of computer privileges.
Content
of Internet Communications
You may not use PUC's computer system in
any way that may be seen as insulting, disruptive, harassing,
or offensive. Use of the PUC system in violation of this guideline
will result in immediate disciplinary action, including, but not
limited to, termination of privileges.
Privacy
Users
are notified that the network administrators, system operators,
or the administration may and will access the system and
any files located thereon, including email or data files, in
order to monitor the activity on the PUC owned network. This
system is to be used for academic and administrative purposes
only and while using the system there is no confidential and/or
private messages or usage. Any file, or activity on the system
can and will be subject to inspection by the administration.
Monitoring
of E-Mail/Internet/Computer Usage
Please recognize that any activity in the PUC
computing resources is not confidential. The system administrators
or other College employees can and will access user files at any
time. User files may also be subject to search by law enforcement
agencies under court order. All computer usage, including, but
not limited to, e-mail, word processing, or Internet usage is
subject to monitoring and recording. Any website that is hit from
a computer attached to the PUC computer network will generate
a record of which site was hit.
The
following activities are authorized and encouraged:
1. Search the network for information you need
or want for academic purposes;
2. Communicate with other people across the network
as long as you comply with current policies. (Beware: e-mail
is not a private form of communication. It is similar to a postcard
or a bulletin board notice, and no communication should be considered
confidential and/or private.) All e-mail received or sent on the
college network is the property of PUC, and as such may be reviewed
at will;
3. Use network time efficiently. During
heavy usage times, please refrain from unnecessary activities.
The
following activities are prohibited:
1. Engaging in false, misleading, anonymous, or
offensive communications with others on the network;
2. Display, access, download or upload obscene,
lewd, sexually harassing or pornographic materials or content;
3. Use of "chat" or "talk"
rooms excessively on-line;
4. Knowingly or carelessly running, or installing
on any computer system, or network, or give to another user, a
program intended to damage, or place excessive load on a computer
system or network. This includes programs with viruses;
5. Use of the network for over a period of three
(3) hours at a time;
6. Remain on-line when not in use.
7. Permit others to write in your file space;
8. Participate in or involvement with software
piracy;
9. Use someone else’s computer account or allow
others to use your account. (You are responsible for all activity
performed on your computer.);
10. Use PUC's computer resources to gain unauthorized
access to other computer systems;
11. Connect unauthorized equipment to the PUC
network;
12. Attempt to bypass data protection schemes
or uncover security loopholes;
13. Knowingly or carelessly performing an act
that will interfere with the normal operation of the computers,
terminals, peripherals, or other network equipment;
14. Deliberately waste computer resources by printing
unnecessary copies of a document;
15. Use e-mail to harass or threaten others.
(This includes sending repeated or unwanted e-mail to another
user.)
16. Initiate or advance electronic chain letters;
17. Send inappropriate mass mailings. (i.e.,
no spamming)
18. Forge the identity of a user or machine in
any electronic communication;
19. Transmit or reproduce materials that are slanderous,
or defamatory in nature, or that otherwise violate existing laws
or College regulations.
20. Monitor or tamper with another user’s communications,
i.e., reading, copying, changing, or deleting other user's files
or software without explicit written agreement of the owner.
21. Conduct private business using the computing
resources of PUC.
Results
of Misuse
Minor infractions of the policy, when accidental,
or unintended, will generally be resolved informally by the Information
Technology Systems and Services management. Repeated minor infractions
or serious misconduct may result in the loss of system access.
Additionally, any misuse may be prosecuted under applicable
laws. Users may also be held accountable under applicable College
policies. Any offense which violates local, state, or federal
laws may result in the immediate loss of college computing resource
privileges and will be referred to appropriate College offices
or law enforcement authorities.
By my use
of any PUC computing facilities, I agree to abide by the stated
guidelines and policies.
Information
Technology Systems and Servies (ITSS)
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