Policies and Responsibilities for Use
of Campus Computer and Network Resources

   Appropriate use of information resources includes instruction, research, and the official work of the offices, departments, recognized student and campus organizations, and other agencies of the University. Since the resources at FSU are not unlimited, the University may give priority for resources to certain uses or certain groups of users in support of its mission. Consistent with University anti-discrimination policy, the use of information resources should not be denied or abridged because of race, creed, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, or physical disability.

   The University supports the use of the Internet for the entire university community. Public use computer laboratories that are connected to the Internet shall be open for use by all members of the University community. Use of specific laboratories may be prioritized for specific course purposes. Otherwise vacant work stations will be available for use by other faculty or student users when the facility is open.

   Because of the decentralized ownership and diverse purposes of computers and networks at FSU, a single set of detailed policies and procedures is inappropriate. However, general policies for academic freedom and for responsible, considerate, legal, and ethical behavior extend to use of information resources such as campus microcomputers and workstations, multi-user computers, and world wide information resources accessible through the network. The following rules apply for all computers and networks at FSU. Departments and other University units that operate computers and networks should establish additional policies and procedures to meet specific needs.

Policies on Electronic Communication and Access to Information

• Members of the University community may freely communicate and access information on electronic networks.

• Material accessible to the FSU community through networks and materials disseminated from FSU should not be restricted on the basis of its content, nor because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to its creation (note: obscenity is NOT protected by the First Amendment). University administrators, faculty, and staff should challenge any attempts to censor electronic information sources.

Members of the University community should use information resources responsibly and considerately, in accordance with the following guidelines:

• The computing and network resources of the University may not be used to impersonate another person or misrepresent authorization to act on behalf of others or the University.

• The computing and network resources of the University may not be used to harass another person. Users should not transmit to others or display images, sounds, or messages that might be perceived by a reasonable person as, or have been identified as, harassing. (See the University policies on sexual harassment and the Student Conduct Codes, section 9.c.3.)

• University computers and networks may not be used to invade the privacy of others or make unauthorized use of their work. Users should not attempt to read or copy files belonging to others, or decrypt or translate encrypted material, unless the files have deliberately been made accessible by the owner(s) or authorization has been obtained to do so.

• Electronic forums such as mail distribution lists and Usenet newsgroups all have expectations regarding subject area and appropriate etiquette for postings. Members of the FSU community should be considerate of the expectations and sensitivities of others on the network when posting material for electronic distribution.

Computer users must observe and comply with Federal, State, and local laws governing computer and information technology, as well as all University rules and Board of Regents regulations. The University also supports the policy of EDUCOM, the non-profit consortium of colleges and universities committed to the use of information technology in higher education, on "Software and Intellectual Rights" (See NOTE #1).

• Campus and network computing resources must be used in a manner consistent with Chapter 815, Florida Statutes Computer Crimes Act and Title 18, United States Code, Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1985. Unauthorized or fraudulent use of the University's computing resources may result in felony prosecution and punishment as provided for in Florida Statutes, Chapter 775, Florida Criminal Code.

• The computing and network resources of the University may not be used for personal financial gain or commercial purposes. For information regarding use of computing and network resources in connection with University-sponsored commercial projects refer to the Faculty Handbook, Chapter 6.19.

• Owners of computer accounts are responsible for all use of the accounts. They should follow guidelines to prevent unauthorized use by others, and report intrusions to the system administrators.

• Individuals must not attempt to undermine the security or the integrity of computing systems or networks and must not attempt to gain unauthorized access. Users may not use any computer program or device to intercept or decode passwords or similar access control information. If security gaps are observed, they should be reported to the appropriate system administrators.

• Individuals should not intentionally damage or disable computer systems, networks, or software without authorization for any purpose. (See the Student Conduct Code, section 9.d.)

• Copying or using software, except as explicitly permitted under licensing agreements, is a violation of law. Computer users should be able to prove ownership of software in their possession.

• To help maintain the proper functioning of computer and networking hardware and software, the University will take reasonable steps to ensure its computing resources are free of deliberately destructive software, such as viruses. Individuals must share responsibility for protecting University computers, and should ensure the integrity of any electronic media they introduce.

• The University supports each individual's right to private communication, and will take reasonable steps to ensure security of the network. Although messages on University computing resources are potentially accessible to others through public records laws, Public Records Law requests for documents maintained on University computing resources must be dealt with by the user who controls the requested documents. The University cannot guarantee absolute privacy of electronic communication.

• Respect for intellectual labor, creativity, and the right to privacy is vital to academic discourse and enterprise. System integrity is also essential for individual function. Invasion of privacy, and unauthorized access to files can be justified only by real threats to the integrity of the network or node. Unauthorized access to files, either by direct examination or by automated searching, will not be permitted unless there is documented reasonable cause, and access is approved by the academic director (or the academic director's designee) of the facility that supports the system.

• Users will be informed in advance of all automated searches of user files. In the case of routine searches for viruses, or security weaknesses users will be informed of these searches at least once per semester. The objective of the search will be indicated in the notification.

• The University cannot guarantee that, in all instances, copies of critical data will be retained on University systems. It is ultimately the responsibility of computer users to obtain secure, backup copies of essential files for disaster recovery.

VIOLATIONS:Violations of computer and network policy as outlined in this document will be considered on a case-by-case basis according to established policies; determinations may include denial of access privileges. In all instances, measures will be taken to protect the system; however, due-process rights of everyone involved will be observed in all cases. Users are reminded that some uses of the network are governed by the University Honor Code, local, State, or Federal laws.

NOTE:The EDUCOM policy "Software and Intellectual Rights": "Respect for intellectual labor and creativity is vital to academic discourse and enterprise. This principle applies to work of all authors and publishers in all media. It encompasses respect for the right to acknowledgment, right to privacy, and right to determine the form, manner, and terms of publication and distribution. Because electronic information is volatile and easily reproduced, respect for the work and personal expression of others is especially critical in computer environments. Violations of authorial integrity, including plagiarism, invasion of privacy, unauthorized access, and trade secret and copyright violations, may be grounds for sanctions against members of the academic community."

APPROVED BY FACULTY SENATE, APRIL 12, 1995