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Appendices

Appendix I.
Academic Computing Guidelines for Acceptable Use of Computing Resources

The Academic Computing Services at the University of Illinois at Springfield provides computing resources to support the academic research and instructional activities of the University, and are intended for the sole use of University faculty, staff, students and other authorized users.

Computing resources include, but are not limited to, host computer systems and workstations, communications networks, computing laboratories, software, and data files.

Academic Computing Services expects each user to recognize it's resources as limited, shared, and provided to further the mission of the University. Users are expected to act responsibly within the guidelines herein. Academic Computing Services may suspend a user's access for failure to adhere to the policy as stated. Suspension of access privileges will remain in effect until a timely resolution by the appropriate due process can be made.

Philosophy of Appropriate Use

To respect the privacy of other users; for example, you shall not intentionally seek information on, obtain copies of, or modify files, tapes, or passwords belonging to other users or the University, or represent others, unless explicitly authorized to do so by those users.

1. To respect the legal protection provided by copyright and licensing of programs and data; for example, you shall not make copies of a licensed computer program to avoid paying additional license fees or to share with other users.
2. To respect the intended usage of accounts; for example, you shall use assigned accounts, transactions, data, and processes authorized by faculty, unit heads, or project directors for the purposes specified, and shall not access or use other accounts, transactions, data, or processes unless explicitly authorized to do so by the authorizing personnel.
3. To respect the integrity of the system or network; for example, you shall not intentionally develop or use programs, transactions, data, or processes that harass other users or infiltrate the system or damage or alter the software or data components of a system. Alterations to any system or network software or data component shall be made only under specific instructions from authorized faculty, unit heads, project directors, or management staff.
4. To respect the financial structure of a computing or networking system; for example, you shall not intentionally develop or use any unauthorized mechanisms to alter or avoid charges levied by the University for computing, network, and data processing services.
5. To respect the rights of other users; for example, you shall comply with all University policies regarding sexual, racial, and other forms of harassment, and you shall not divulge sensitive personal data concerning faculty, staff, or students to which you have access without explicit authorization to do so.
6. To adhere to all General University Policies and Procedures including, but not limited to, policies on proper use of information resources, information technology, and networks; acquisition, use, and disposal of University-owned computer equipment; use of telecommunications equipment; ethical and legal use of software; and ethical and legal use of administrative data.

Accounts issued to individuals are intended for the sole use of that individual, and are non-transferable. The owner is responsible for all usage on that account.

The following types of activities are examples of behavior that are unethical and unacceptable, and in some cases may violate state or federal law:

• attempts to alter system software or hardware configurations;
• seeks to access or accesses another individual's account, private files, or e-mail without permission of the owner;
  
• misrepresents one's identity in electronic communication;
  
• violates copyright and/or software agreements;
  
• violates rules or codes set by services subscribed to by the Academic Computing Services;
  
• uses Academic Computing Services resources to threaten or harass others;
  
• uses Academic Computing Services systems for commercial or profit-making purposes;
  
• disobeys Academic Computing Services lab and system policies, procedures, and protocol (Please pay attention to the signs posted in the labs); and/or
  
• allows another individual access his account for inappropriate usage.

Policies and regulations of the University, and State and Federal law, are applicable to computing resources. Alleged violations will be processed according to University policies and the processes outlined in the Civil Service Employee Handbook, University of Illinois Board of Trustees Rules and Regulations, and any collective bargaining agreement where applicable.