UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FLORIDA
POLICY

DIVISION: Administration and Finance

DEPARTMENT: Information Technology Services

SUBJECT: Computer and Network Use Policy

OBJECTIVE & PURPOSE:

Computing, networking, telecommunications, and all other information technology resources of the University of North Florida are available to advance the education, research, administration, and public service mission of the University. Accordingly, the University encourages and promotes the use of these resources by the University community, within institutional priorities and financial capabilities. Access to and use of these resources and services are privileges which must be accepted in strict compliance with all applicable laws and with the highest standards of ethical behavior. This document defines the requirements for maintaining this compliance.

This policy applies to all persons accessing and using computing, networking, telecommunications, and other information technology resources through any facility of the University. Such resources include computer and network systems, hardware, software, databases, support personnel and services, physical facilities, and data communications systems and services.

AUTHORITY:

Approved by University Council July 1, 1997.

POLICY:

Any use of computing, networking, telecommunications, or any other information technology resources of the University of North Florida that interferes with the educational, scholarly, research, service, operational or management activities of the University is strictly prohibited. University computing facilities and accounts are to be used for the University-related activities for which they are assigned. The University reserves the right to limit, restrict, or extend computing privileges and access to its information technology resources.

All users of computing, networking, telecommunications, and other information technology resources of the University are required to:

• comply with Florida's public records law and state records retention schedules for public records, including electronic mail.
• comply with legally required disclosures (e.g., pursuant to a lawfully issued subpoena or search warrant, discovery request) and cooperate in University investigations, as well as collaborative investigations with outside entities, and in access necessary for repairs, maintenance, and monitoring of University facilities.
• comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including, but not limited to copyright, trademark and licensing laws, the Florida Computer Crimes Act (Chapter 815, F.S.), state obscenity laws (Chapter 847, F.S.), and all Florida Board of Education and University rules, policies, and procedures. Existing University policies applicable to standards of behavior (such as sexual harassment, disruptive behavior, academic integrity, use of facilities, etc.) are incorporated in this policy by reference.
• protect the confidentiality, accuracy and integrity of institutional data (such as, but not limited to, student education records) which are subject to federal and state confidentiality laws.
• protect the integrity of passwords. Computer accounts, passwords, access codes, and other authorizations are assigned to individual users. It is a violation of this policy to use another's account, password, access code, or other such authorization, to permit access by unauthorized users, or to otherwise misrepresent one's identity in accessing or using any information technology resource of the University. The University utilizes passwords for the proper administration of its facilities only, and the requirement and use of a password should not give the user an expectation of privacy as to any information on a University system or facility.
• use resources responsibly and refrain from actions and conduct that waste the University's limited resources and/or prevent others from using these resources (such as chain letters, junk e-mail, etc.), including engaging in conduct that is reasonably calculated to obstruct or disrupt the use of any system or network by others.

 

Individual units within the University may define additional conditions for acceptable use of facilities and resources under their control which are consistent with this policy statement, and which may provide additional detail, guidelines and restrictions.

The disregard of any aspect of this policy, whether intentional or unintentional, may result in removal or denial of access privileges. In circumstances in which the integrity or security of facilities may be compromised, this removal or denial may be immediate. Alleged violations of any aspect of this policy will be processed in accordance with the appropriate processes outlined in University rules, personnel policies and procedures, applicable collective bargaining agreements and the Student Handbook. Violations may also be referred for civil and/or criminal prosecution under applicable state and federal laws.

DISCLAIMERS:

By using University computing and network resources, each user implicitly accepts full responsibility for their use and/or misuse of these resources. The University considers each user to be ultimately responsible for his/her actions, and does not accept liability for the individual. Each user should include appropriate notices as necessary in all personal correspondence and publications, adequate to separate a personal opinion, bias, etc. from official representation of the University.

Although a reasonable and conscientious effort is made to backup critical data on University resources for disaster recovery purposes, each user is ultimately responsible for backing up data stored on his/her own personal computer. This includes files and programs on local personal computers, in home directories on multi-user host computer systems, and electronic mail (see the Supplemental Guideline on Electronic Mail), regardless of the nature or content of this data.

Although a reasonable and conscientious effort is made to provide a secure environment, no guarantee of absolute privacy is made. The requirement and use of a password (see the Supplemental Guideline on Passwords on Computing Systems Managed by Information Technology Services) should not give the user an expectation of privacy as to any information on a University system or facility. Any data on such facilities may be subject to examination in the course of routine systems administration, by public records law, or through legally required disclosure.

Issued By L. Taylor

Date Issued 7/1/97

Effective Date 7/1/97

Revised By J . Durfee

Revision Number 2

Revision Date 03/18/2005

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