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University Network Policies

Network and computer Use Policy

UPDATE FEBRUARY 22, 2008 ****
UPDATED April 16, 2007 ***
UPDATED AUGUST 21, 2006**
Updated January 10, 2005*

BACKGROUND
PRIORITIES OF THE NETWORK
DISCLAIMER
PRIVACY
SAFETY
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
USER REPONSIBILITIES
VIOLATIONS
NETWORK ADMINISTRATION
ATTACHMENT I: CAMPUS-WIDE E-MAIL COMMUNICATIONS

Policy Statement

Users of information technology resources at the University of Mary Washington must use them responsibly and within limitations.  Users who fail to meet their responsibilities or who fail to operate within the limitations may have their network privileges suspended or revoked and may be subject to other disciplinary actions. Using University-owned computers, networks, or other information technology resources constitutes acknowledgment that the user understands and commits to compliance with the University's Network and Computer Use Policy and related policies and procedures.

Background

The UMW computer network consists of an institution-wide backbone, local area network, and many shared computers, as well as personal desktop computers and other computing devices. The various systems administrators work to ensure that network privileges are properly maintained for all University users. Users also must meet certain responsibilities and are subject to certain limitations, many of which are listed below.

Priorities of the Network

The UMW computer network and other information technology resources should be used, and will be maintained and administered, in accordance with the following priorities:

  • Highest and Primary: To support the education, research, and administrative purposes of the University of Mary Washington.
  • Medium and Secondary: To support other uses indirectly related to the University of Mary Washington's purposes with education or research benefits, including personal communications.
  • Lowest and Least Important: Recreation and entertainment.

Disclaimer

The University of Mary Washington will investigate reported violations of the rules set forth below and will impose appropriate sanctions. However, the University assumes no responsibility for user conduct.

Users should be aware that there are many services on the Internet that they might find offensive or that involve risks. Users must accept responsibility for their own navigation of the Internet.

Privacy

The UMW computer network is owned and operated by the University of Mary Washington, an agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Faculty and staff must recognize that computer-generated documents (e.g., old e-mail) may be "public records," subject to provisions of Virginia's Freedom of Information statutes. Furthermore, all users must understand that electronic communications may not be secure and that during the course of ordinary management of information technology services, technical staff may inadvertently be exposed to the content of user files.

In specific and unusual circumstances, the content of user files may be examined under the direction of a system administrator of the system holding those files. This may be done only at the direction of the President or the Vice President for Strategy and Policy.  [See related policy.]

Safety

While unwanted or unsolicited contact cannot be controlled on the network, network users who receive threatening communications in violation of this policy or state or federal law should bring them to the attention of the Department of Information Technologies and/or the University Police.

Intellectual Freedom

The network provides an open forum for the expression of ideas, including viewpoints that are strange, unorthodox, and unpopular. Opinions expressed there must be presented in a manner that is free of obscenity (as defined by Code of Virginia section 18.2-372), forgery, and other illegal forms of expression, which are not acceptable uses of the University's network and are in violation of University policy. In addition, expressions of opinion may not be represented as the views of the University of Mary Washington, and individual users are responsible and accountable for any material posted and transmitted on the network in violation of this or other University policies, or state or federal law.

User Responsibilities

Current employees (faculty and staff) and students, as well as employees who have retired from service at the University, are eligible to have computing accounts. In addition, some other parties, such as scholarly partners of faculty and contractors employed at the University, may be granted computing accounts for limited terms with appropriate sponsorship. To enjoy the privileges of network access, each user of University information technologies is expected to meet certain responsibilities and honor certain limitations. If a user is found to have knowingly violated either of these principles, his or her network access may be suspended. Depending on the seriousness of the violation, the user may also be subject to other University disciplinary actions, and violations of federal or state laws will result in referral to the appropriate legal authorities.

The following list of responsibilities applies to the use of all University-owned computers and of the University's networks; additional responsibilities may be associated with specific networks, information technology services, and computers at the University.

  • Users must operate within the appropriate federal or state laws and University policies and must not engage in any conduct that presents a risk to the operating integrity of the systems and their accessibility to other users (see also " Responsibilities for Computing Devices Connected to the University of Mary Washington Network ").
  • Users must abide by the terms of all software licensing agreements and copyright laws. Users must not make copies of or make available on the network copyrighted material, unless permitted by a license.
  • Users must not use the network resources of the University to gain or attempt to gain unauthorized access to remote computers, networks, or systems.
  • Users may not use the University's networks to access, produce, or distribute pornography in violation of the law.
  • Any network traffic exiting the University is subject not only to provisions of this policy, but also to the acceptable use policies of any network through which or into which it flows.
  • Users should notify the Department of Information Technologies (654-2255 or it-abuse@umw.edu), system administrators, and the appropriate authorities about violations of computer laws and policies, as well as about potential vulnerabilities in the security of its computer systems and networks.
  • Users are to respect the rights of other users, including their rights as set forth in other University policies for students, faculty, and staff; these rights include but are not limited to privacy, freedom from harassment, and freedom of expression.
  • Users may not place on any University-owned computer system any type of information or software that:
    • infringes upon the rights of another person
    • gives unauthorized access to another computer account or system.
  • Users may not misrepresent themselves or their data on the network.
  • Users are responsible for the use of their accounts. No user may give anyone else access to his or her account, or use a UMW computer account assigned to another user. A user must not attempt to obtain a password for another user's computer account.
  • Users are responsible for the security of their passwords and for regularly changing passwords in accord with good practice and with the rules of the system in which the password is used. Users are responsible for making sure no one else knows their passwords. A user who suspects someone knows his or her password should change the password immediately (or contact Department of Information Technologies (654-2255) if he or she needs assistance in changing the password).
  • Users of personal computers are responsible for protecting their work by making regular backup copies of their work files and storing the copies in a safe location.  They should set the frequency of backup based on their ability to recreate information added since the last backup.
  • Users must not attempt to monitor other users data communications, nor read, copy, change, or delete other users files or software, without permission of the owner(s).
  • Users must not attempt to circumvent data protection schemes or exploit security loopholes.
  • Users must not deliberately perform acts which are wasteful of computing resources or which unfairly monopolize resources to the exclusion of others.
  • Users must not deliberately perform acts that will impair the operation of computing equipment, peripherals, other devices, or networks. This includes, but is not limited to, tampering with components of a local area network (LAN) or the high-speed backbone network, otherwise blocking communication lines, or interfering with the operational readiness of a computer.
  • Users must not run or install on any of the computer systems of the University, or give to another user, a program that could result in the eventual damage to a file or computer system and/or the reproduction of itself. This includes, but is not limited to, the classes of programs known as computer viruses, Trojan horses, and worms.
  • Users may not use the University's computer systems or networks for solicitation of funds or for commercial purposes. This includes solicitations for charitable or community organizations.
  • Users may not use the University's networks to distribute chain letters.

This policy and related material supplement the existing policies in the Student Handbooks, the Faculty and Adjunct Faculty Handbooks, the Administrative Faculty Handbook, and the Classified Employees Handbook. These cover such acts as theft of computer services (including copyrighted computer programs), theft or mutilation of UMW property such as computer equipment, and the unacknowledged or unauthorized appropriation of another's computer program, or the results of that program, in whole or in part, for a computer-related exercise or assignment. Ultimately, any and all network conduct or misconduct is subject to the same policies that govern conduct in other University venues, and it is regulated and dealt with as described in the handbooks cited above.

Violations

Violations or suspected violations of the policies and principles enumerated above should be reported promptly to the Department of Information Technologies , 654-2255 or it-abuse@umw.edu , or to the appropriate University disciplinary system.

Network ADMINISTRATION

The Department of Information Technologies , working with the administrators of UMW computer systems and networks, has the responsibility to protect the rights of users, to enforce policies and procedures consistent with those rights, and to publicize those policies and procedures to their users. The department has the authority to control or refuse access to any user who violates these policies or threatens the rights of other users, and department officials will make reasonable efforts to notify users affected by decisions they have made. Questions or concerns regarding the use of the University's network, its computers, or other information technology facilities or services should be addressed to the Department of Information Technologies , 540-654-2255, or helpdesk@umw.edu.

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ATTACHMENT I

University-wide E-mail Communications

University-wide e-mail communication capability are currently available to specifically authorized employees, but for appropriate uses only. For advice on using this capability, contact the Office of University Relations and Communications at 654-1055. Unauthorized use of University-wide e-mail communications by any other means is not permitted and will be considered a violation of the network policy. These public communications should be used to relay information on University-related business, issues, events, and activities only.

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****Updated to reflect change in responsible office for University-wide e-mail communications and change in language about changing passwords..
***Updated to reflect change in University-wide E-mail processes
**Updated to reflect shift of responsibilities from Executive Vice President to Vice President for Strategy and Policy.
*Updated to reflect new policy formats, University name changes and other reference updates, and inclusion of user requirement for back-up of personal computers (originally in another University policy).

 

Last Modified: April 25, 2008