Acceptable Use Policy

Effective September 1, 1999 - Updated January 5, 2004

Computer systems are provided by Union University for academic and administrative work by its current faculty, staff, and students only. These systems should be used only in manners consistent with the mission and goals of the university, including the student Campus Life Handbook.

How does one honor God through the use of a computer system?

• By using it in a manner that does not bring dishonor to His name.
• By maintaining it as a resource for others, respecting their rights and privileges.
• By obtaining or creating materials that are positive and do not offend others or cause them to falter in their walks, and by using those materials in an ethical, moral, and legal manner.
• By creating materials and using resources that are positive and do not hinder operation of systems for which we are stewards on God’s behalf.

A computer system, for the purpose of this document, is defined as

• a desktop or laptop computer,
• the Union University network,
• the Internet,
• any computers accessible through another computer and the Union University network,
• peripheral devices such as printers and scanners, and
• files on those computers including documents, operating systems, applications, utilities, and communications software such as Internet browsers and e-mail/chat programs.

No potentially damaging actions to hardware: We expect a computer system will be used in a manner that maintains its working integrity.

Any actions that would cause physical damage are to be avoided, including:

• eating or drinking near university-owned computer systems,
• mishandling cables and removable media (CDs, USB disks, etc.) in a manner that would cause damage to the computer,
• physical abuse such as hitting or dropping a computer component.

No theft: We expect computer systems and components will not be removed from their original location without prior permission of a full-time employee of Computing Services.

Theft of hardware, software, or consumable supplies is prohibited.

• Theft of most computer hardware is a felony offense punishable by up to 5 years in jail and up to a $10,000 fine.
• Piracy of commercially licensed software can be considered a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years in jail and by a fine of up to $250,000.
• Unused consumable items such as blank paper and printer cartridges containing ink/toner are to be used only in the components designated by Union University staff and only in reasonable quantities.

No alteration of software: We expect computer files to be unaltered, unless the stated intent of a file is for it to be modified. Your personal document files are of course exempt from this policy.

The following activities are prohibited:

• deletion or renaming of systems, application, or utility files,
• altering systems settings required for efficient and consistent operation of any/all computers.

No unauthorized or illegal access: We expect you to use only those computer systems explicitly designated for your use by the university.

The following activities are prohibited:

• using a computer or account not designated for your use; for students, this implies computers in employee offices, except as authorized by employees of the office in which the computer is located; for employees, this implies any computer in the office of another employee, except as defined by the appropriate supervisor for the proper execution of your job,
• illegally using any computer and/or the university network to access the files of any computer in which you are not authorized to use, whether here or at remote locations around the world,
• extending the university network through installation of unauthorized wireless access points.
• violating copyright restrictions.

To prevent unauthorized or illegal use of a computer system by other students or employees, no computer passwords are to be shared.

No detrimental use of software: We expect content or programs you obtain, create, or use to be positive in nature.

The following activities are prohibited:

• creation or intentional distribution of programs (viruses, worms, etc.) that are designed to inhibit the functioning or use of individual or multiple computers,
• participation in the illegal distribution (including known receipt) of commercially licensed software or copyrighted materials including music and video,
• participation in the unauthorized installation of any software, including commercially licensed software, shareware, or freeware, on university computers,
• supportive communication of "hate" topics including racism, sexism, nationalism, religious bigotry, etc.
• intentional pursuit or creation of pornographic images or sexually explicit communication through Internet web browsers, e-mail, chat rooms, etc.,
• use of any system in a manner that would intentionally and significantly degrade performance of the system for other users, including the transmission of large or numerous files that use a disproportionate amount of the university's network bandwidth for extended periods,
• use of any system to abuse (harass, coerce, threat, disrespect, or intimidate) any other person,
• use of any system to mass-mail (spam) others on campus or off campus,
• use of any system in a manner that would intentionally communicate false information, such as virus hoaxes,
• plagiarizing any document, image, or program.

Additionally, you are subject to any local, state, or federal laws regarding computer crime such as those listed in

http://www.uu.edu/computing/tncrime.htm

Violations: All files and e-mail created, received, or stored on Union University computer equipment, regardless of location, are subject to be monitored by appropriate Union University authorities and as such no rights to privacy are granted. The university reserves the right to inspect the files or e-mail of any employee or student in order to obtain evidence of violation of any of these policies. Anyone caught violating any of the above policies or in any way violating the spirit of Godly use of Union University’s computer systems will be subject to appropriate penalties. Such penalties will be determined by Computing Services, by the judiciary branch of the university or, as appropriate, by local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

Employees and students should disclose to appropriate authorities misuses of computing resources or potential loopholes in computer systems' security, and cooperate with systems administrators in their operation of computer systems and investigation of violations or misuse.

Exceptions: If, in the interest of authentic academic or administrative work, there is a need for a student or employee to perform any of the actions specifically prohibited above, the need may be documented in advance by the student and an employee, or by the employee and his/her supervisor. All such needs should be submitted in advance to Mr. John David Barham, Associate Vice President for Information Services. Computing Services will review requests on a case-by-case basis. Only after the request is approved may the individual proceed with the activity, and only as specified by the university.

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Comments and suggestions concerning this site should be forwarded to:

jdbarham@uu.edu