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Faculty Handbook

Appendix XVI—Policy on Network Guidelines

Policy on Network Guidelines

Selling access to West Texas A&M University resources and commercial activities is forbidden without proper authorization. Intentionally denying or interfering with service, unauthorized use or access, reading or modifying files without proper authorization, using the technology to impersonate, chain letters, violations of laws or violation of other WTAMU policies are forbidden.

Recommendations concerning freedom of expression, rights of privacy, and intellectual search files and files relating to scholarly endeavor will not be subject to such a review. Computer systems and stored data are subject, by authorized personnel, to review for audit purposes or when a violation of University policy or law is suspected. All authors should be aware of The Texas A&M University System policy concerning intellectual property created by employees of WTAMU. Authors should refer to System Policies and Regulations Manual, Sec. 17, Intellectual Property and Appendix II.

General Rules of Use and User Responsibilities

1. Use WTAMU Computer Network Consistently with
Stated Priorities.

Non-essential uses of WTAMU Computer Network should be avoided during times of peak demand, typically mid-afternoon to late-evening hours. During peak periods, other users may be prevented from completing their essential tasks if you are engaged in a non-essential task.

2. Do Not Allow Anyone to Use Your Account for
Illegitimate Purposes.

Your WTAMU Computer Network user name identifies you to the international Internet user community. Another person using your account, whether or not you have given permission, will be acting in your name. You may be held responsible for that person’s actions in your account. If that person violates any policies, his or her actions will be traced back to your user name and you may be held responsible. The easiest way to protect yourself is to protect your password. If you have a legitimate reason to give someone access, keep it strictly temporary, and change your password after that person finishes using your account. You should definitely not give your password to anyone you do not trust. If someone else offers you use of an account you are not authorized to use, decline.

3. Honor the Privacy of Other Users.

WTAMU respects the desire for privacy and voluntarily chooses to refrain from inspecting user’s files, except in certain well-defined cases. Many aspects of privacy of files and communications are also protected by federal and state laws.

Example:

• Do not access the contents of files of another user without explicit authorization from that user. Typically, authorization is signaled by the other users setting file access permissions to allow public or group reading of files. Since some systems by default make all files readable to all users and some users don’t know this, the file permissions are not reliable. It is always best to ask.

  • Do not intercept or monitor any network communications not explicitly meant for you.
  • Do not use the systems or transmit personal or private information about individuals unless you have explicit authorization from the individuals affected. Do not distribute such information unless you have permission from those individuals.
  • It is illegal to use programs that secretly collect information about users. Software on WTAMU Computer Network is subject to the same guidelines for protecting privacy as any other information-gathering project at WTAMU. You may not use WTAMU computer and telecommunication systems to collect information about individual users without their consent. Note that most systems keep audit trails and usage logs which is considered a normal part of system administration.

4. Do Not Impersonate Any Other Person.

Using WTAMU Computer Network resources to impersonate someone else is improper. If you use someone else’s account, you may be committing acts of fraud because the account owner’s name will be attached to transactions you have performed. If, while using someone else’s account without permission, you communicate with others, you should clearly identify yourself as doing so. It is normal etiquette to identify your messages or note if it is signed by a pseudonym. Be aware that most people will give less credence to anonymous communication than to signed communication.

5. Do Not Use WTAMU Computer Network to Violate Other Policies or Laws.

Computer networks can be used to commit actions that violate laws or policies that are covered elsewhere. Reminders of other typical policies include:

  • Do not violate copyright laws and licenses. Many programs and their documentation are owned by individual users or third parties and are protected by copyright and other laws, licenses, and contractual agreements. Works transmitted over the network are subject to copyright laws, just as are printed works. When in doubt, get permission to download or copy.
  • Do not use WTAMU Computer Network to violate harassment laws or policies. Do not use WTAMU Computer Network to violate any parts of the Student Code of Life or the Faculty Handbook. Faculty and staff, see System Policies and Regulations Manual, Sec. 34.01, Sexual Harassment.
  • Do not use WTAMU Computer Network to attack Procedure for Review and Handling of Complaints computers by launching viruses, worms, Trojan horses, Involving WTAMU Computing Resources or other attacks on computers here or elsewhere. The procedures for reporting improper use of WTAMU computing

Statements on Prohibition of Illegal Activities

The telecommunication and computing resources of the University, which includes the hardware, software and network environment, shall not be used for illegal activities. Any illegal use of these resources will be referred to the appropriate University authorities or other legal and law-enforcement agencies.

All users should be aware that posting, display, or storage of obscene or other illegal material on or using WTAMU computing resources (World Wide Web home page, Usenet Newsgroup, Gopher server, e-mail or live video teleconference) may subject one to possible criminal prosecution. Obscenity and child pornography are examples of violations of the law (Texas Penal Code, Sec. 43). A specific instance of child pornography found on computing resources will be immediately removed.

All incidents of unauthorized access on or using WTAMU telecommunication and computing resources or reported unauthorized access of remote resources using WTAMU resources are to be reported to the appropriate law enforcement authorities in a timely manner. WTAMU will cooperate with such authorities in the investigation of these incidents.

Guidelines of System Administration

The administration of a complex network is not only a daunting technical task but also entails ethical and privacy considerations. The University has a procedure to ensure proper review and handling of complaints concerning possibly obscene material on computing resources.

There is a trade-off between the right of privacy of a user and the need of system administrators to gather necessary information to ensure continued functioning of these resources. In the normal course of system administration and maintenance of WTAMU computing resources, system administrators or support personnel may have to examine activities, files, electronic mail, and printer listings to gather sufficient information to diagnose and correct problems with software or hardware. System administrators will maintain the privacy of a user’s files, electronic mail and activity logs, except when illegal or unethical problems are detected. Remember, just because you have deleted a file (especially e-mail), that does not exclude the possibility of a copy still residing on your computer or a back-up copy which is accessible.

If a system administrator observes someone engaging in activities that would seriously compromise the health or integrity of a system or network, e.g., someone launching a virus attack or attempting to gain root access, the system administrator may take immediate action to stop the threat or minimize damage. This may include termination of processes, disconnection from a network or temporary suspension of an account. If a system administrator or support personnel observe examples of obscenity or child pornography, these will be reported to the appropriate administrative officer.

resources are property freedom of expression and an open environment to pursue scholarly inquiry and for sharing of information are encouraged, supported and protected at WTAMU. Censorship is not compatible with the goals of WTAMU. While some computers may be dedicated to specific research or teaching mission that would limit their use, freedom of expression must, in general, be protected. The University should not limit access to any information due to its content when it meets the standard of legality. While we reject censorship, there are several forms of expression that are not protected: obscene material, child pornography, sexual harassment or other violations of law.

The general right of privacy should be extended to the extent possible to the electronic environment. WTAMU and all electronic users should treat electronically stored information in individual files as confidential and private. Contents should be examined or disclosed only when authorized by the owner, approved by an appropriate institution official or required by law. However, users should be aware that files may be seen by others during the course of normal operation and maintenance procedures. Privacy is mitigated by the following circumstances.

  • WTAMU is an agency of the State of Texas and is therefore subject to the Texas Public Information Act. For WTAMU employees, electronic information created in performance of their duties may be public records, just as are paper records. Such records may be subject to review and/or release under the Texas Public Information Act. In these cases, disclosure of personal e-mail or files not related to the specific issue discussed in the public information request will be avoided to the extent allowed by law.
  • Administrative files of the University are generated as part of the process of managing the University. Administrative files that employees create or maintain can be reviewed by supervisors within this administrative context. Generally, faculty are given below. Example of improper use: obscenity and pornography stored on University computers.

Improper Student Use

Report the incident to the supervisor of student access labs or department head. If the issue is not resolved, the report will be forwarded to the information technology director. If the issue is not resolved at this level, the report will be forwarded to the vice president of student services. If the issue is not resolved at this level, the president will determine the action to be taken.

Improper Faculty/Staff Use

Report the incident to the information technology director who will inform the department head or immediate supervisor. If the issue is not resolved, the information technology director will discuss the incident with the appropriate academic dean. If the issue is not resolved, the report will be forwarded to the appropriate vice president for a ruling. If the vice president of the area is unable to resolve the issue, the president will determine the action to be taken.

Personal Pages on the World Wide Web

  1. Personal student pages should be restricted to 100 KB in size. Faculty, and staff pages should be restricted to 200 KB in size.
  2. Only authorized interactive applications may be posted on the Web server.
  3. Pages should be submitted to the appropriate resource person.
  4. The Web master (or designated resource person) will exercise supervisor rights on the Web server. When a page is submitted, the author of the page will be given read and write rights to the directory containing his/her page in order that he/she may edit and make changes to the page.
  5. Student pages will have an expiration date at the end of each semester that may be renewed the following semester. Expired directories will be deleted within the first month of the following semester. Summer sessions will be treated as a new session.
  6. Each personal page will have a statement similar to the

following. “The views and opinions expressed in this page are strictly those of the page author. The contents of this page have not been reviewed or approved by West Texas A&M University.”

Additionally, the e-mail address of the appropriate resource person will be included to handle complaints of content.

  1. Each personal page will have the e-mail address of the author.
  2. Each personal page will have a link to the top of the student or faculty personal area, top of personal page (if longer than one page) and to the WTAMU home page.
  3. These policies should apply to all http servers located on campus or that use University policies. The only exceptions to these policies are size restrictions.

Revised March 19, 1997

©2007 West Texas A&M University