Some of the above definitions were adopted from the Dictionary of Computing
In support of its mission of teaching, research, and service, the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia (the University) provides access to computing resources for its full-time students, faculty, and staff, based on its institutional priorities and financial capabilities.
The Policy for Responsible Use of Computing Resources is intended to educate the members of the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia ("the University") community about their responsibilities regarding use of electronic resources and modes of communication. Electronic resources and modes of communication supported by the University include, but are not limited to: computing systems owned and operated by the University, including both hardware and software, and access to the Internet, including such protocols as hypertext transfer protocol (the World Wide Web), gopher™, and email. The University makes accessible electronic resources to support the mission and goals of the University including associated administrative activities. In fact, the University believes that access to electronic resources and modes of communication by the University community is essential to the growth and continued success of the University. However, the University provides computing resources and Internet access to its community primarily in order to enrich the educational process and to assist in research. Educational and research requirements ALWAYS take precedence over recreational use. No resources will be given to developing features which are only for recreational use.
Respect for others and their rights must be upheld as a high priority by the University community. Disciplinary action will be taken against those members of the University community who disrupt the normal functioning of the University's computing systems and networks, compromise the security of the University's computing systems and networks, and/or violate the rights of others. This document gives specific examples of activities for which disciplinary action will be taken.
Access to the University's computing resources and electronic communication systems is a privilege granted to faculty, staff, and full-time students. The University reserves the right to grant access to others. All persons granted access to the University's electronic resources will be given a copy of this document and will be required to sign a form acknowledging their understanding of and agreement to abide by these policies.
In providing access to computing resources, networks, and servers, the University freely assumes the following responsibilities, although not legally required to do so:
The University is responsible for making a reasonable and sustained effort to insure the security of the University's computing systems, networks, servers and electronic resources.
The University is responsible for the periodic backing up of the University's computing systems and electronic resources. However, this does not make the University responsible for the loss, damage, or theft of specific documents or programs belonging to an authorized user. Users are responsible for backing up their own work and programs.
The University is responsible for securing the proper permits and licenses for the hardware and software which constitute a part of the University's computing systems, networks, and servers.
The University will make a reasonable effort to treat as confidential all files maintained by the University's account holders. However, in the course of regular business it may not be possible to maintain confidentiality of files stored on University-owned computing resources. In addition, the University is responsible to uphold federal and state laws and the rules governing the University community. Please see the section relating to Privacy Issues.
Certain issues related to computing are regulated by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the United States of America. The University will pursue legal recourse when presented with evidence of violation of state or federal laws. Please see Appendix 1 which discusses relevant state and federal laws.
The University retains sole authority over the computing systems, networks, and servers which it owns and operates. All decisions regarding policy, access, and the proper administration and maintenance of the University's computing resources will be made by the University, in accordance with all relevant state and federal laws.
The University has the right to grant or deny access to the University's computing systems, networks, and servers to any persons or groups it so chooses.
The University has the right to limit or disable access to the University's computing systems, networks, servers, and electronic resources at any time.
The University has the right to evaluate and disallow or remove any and all resources made available on its computers, networks, and servers at any time.
The University has the right to establish fee structures for part or all of its computing resources which apply to some or all the University's account holders.
The University has the right to examine any files which reside on University computing systems, networks, or servers without prior notification if the University has just cause to do so. This includes all files placed on University owned computer systems, networks, and servers by the University's account holders.
The University has the right to suspend any University computing accounts for non-compliance with the terms outlined in this policy.
The members of the Computing and Telecommunications Department will be held accountable for their actions according to the guidelines of this policy, just as any other University account holders. However, the Computing and Telecommunications Department has the following additional responsibilities to the users of the computer systems, networks, and servers which they administer:
The Computing and Telecommunications Department manages the University's computing systems, networks, and servers in order to provide computing resources, software, and electronic resources to the University community.
The Computing and Telecommunications Department will take reasonable steps to insure that the security of the University's computing systems, networks, servers, and electronic resources is not compromised.
The Computing and Telecommunications Department will take reasonable steps to insure that all proper permits and licenses for the hardware and software which constitute a part of the University's computing systems, networks, and servers are executed, and to inform the University community of the existence of relevant permits and licenses. Please also see Appendix 3: USP Software Policy Statement.
The Computing and Telecommunications Department will take reasonable steps to guard against corruption of data or software, or damage to hardware. However, the Computing and Telecommunications Department may not be held responsible for lost, damaged or corrupted data or programs which are placed on the University's computers, networks, and servers by individual the University's account holders.
The Computing and Telecommunications Department will keep as confidential all information about the University's account holders and the contents of their individual accounts. Also, in cases where the Computing and Telecommunications Department has evidence of illegal and/or unethical behavior, it has the responsibility to report such evidence according to the procedures outlined in the Student Handbook and the Employee Handbook.
The University's account holders are expected to behave responsibly, ethically, and legally with respect to: hardware and software owned and run by the University; any permits and licenses for the hardware and software which constitute the University's computing systems, networks, and servers; and other University account holders and others accessing the University's electronic resources and systems.
The University's account holders are responsible to make reasonable attempts to protect their account password(s) and to keep those passwords private. Passwords should be changed on a regular basis, and when the account holder suspects that his/her password may have been compromised. Access to an account is limited to the person or persons authorized by the University to use the account, and accounts may not be shared with unauthorized members of the University community or others outside of the University community.
The University's account holders will be held responsible for all activity of their accounts. Account holders who suspect unauthorized activity should report it immediately to the Computing and Telecommunications Department.
The University's account holders are responsible for backing up their own files residing on any of the University's computing systems, networks, and servers.
The University's account holders are responsible for helping to maintain the integrity and security of the University's computing systems, networks, and servers by reporting any known security holes or software bugs to the Computing and Telecommunications Department.
The University's account holders are responsible for helping to maintain the integrity and security of the University's computing systems, networks, and servers by not attempting to break into any system which they do not have authorization to access, and by reporting any known or suspected attempts by others to gain unauthorized access to any of the University's computing systems, networks, or servers to the Computing and Telecommunications Department.
The University's account holders are responsible for securing the proper permits and licenses for hardware and software which they place on the University's computing systems, networks, and servers.
The following list outlines categories of activities for which disciplinary action may be taken against members of the University community, because such actions are considered unethical and/or illegal with respect to the electronic environment of the University. However, as the relevant technologies change, so too will the ethical and legal responsibilities of the University's account holders. Therefore, this should not be considered an exhaustive list and any questions relating to the legality of and ethical considerations related to a specific action should be addressed to the Computing and Telecommunications Department.
Misuse of the University's computing resources includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Sharing user IDs and passwords with unauthorized persons. User IDs and passwords which give access to the University's computing systems, networks, and servers are intended for the sole use of the authorized account holder.
Gaining or attempting to gain unauthorized access to University owned systems, networks or servers, or using the University's computing resources to gain unauthorized access to systems outside the confines of the University.
Seriously impairing or intentionally attempting to seriously impair the functioning of the University's computing systems, networks, or servers. This includes but is not limited to: disabling or removing hardware; disabling or corrupting programs; intentionally creating excessive traffic or otherwise intentionally slowing down computers or computer systems.
Intentionally installing or attempting to install systems or programs which are intended to damage computer systems, networks, servers, or files. Included in this category are computer viruses, Trojan horses, and worms.
Circumventing or attempting to circumvent security and other protective measures or using loopholes found in these measures.
Disrupting or attempting to disrupt use of the University's computing resources or unfairly monopolizing those resources. This includes but is not limited to: sending mass mailings (i.e., spamming) or chain letters; and creating unnecessary multiple jobs or processes.
Harassing, intimidating, threatening, discriminating against, or abusing anyone else via electronic means. Please see the related policies in the Student Handbook and Employee Handbook, including the Sexual/Racial/Ethnic Harassment Policy.
Gaining or attempting to gain access to, change, delete, or otherwise use electronic files or programs belonging to another without permission.
Plagiarizing or attempting to plagiarize through the use of electronically available files and/or documents.
Using or attempting to use the University's computing systems, networks, servers, or other electronic resources for personal and/or financial gain, or for fund raising for activities which are not sponsored by the University, without written permission from the University.
Intentionally compromising the privacy of electronic files and programs.
Violating federal copyright law.
It is especially important to respect the rights and privacy of others in an electronic environment. Copyright issues and issues of ownership must be a priority in a setting where private files can easily be accessed, changed, misrepresented, and stolen. The University strives to protect both property and property owners to the best of its ability.
The University retains the right to access all files which are stored on any University owned and/or operated computing systems, networks, or servers and to suspend or terminate the account of any account holder suspected of unethical or illegal behavior. If a University account holder is suspected of unethical or illegal behavior, files may be examined and used as evidence in both disciplinary proceedings held by the University or in legal cases outside the confines of the University. If files are accessed, the University account holder will be notified as soon as possible that the account has been accessed.
If evidence exists to suspect a University account holder or a member of the University community of unethical or illegal behavior with respect to the University's computing resources, the proper disciplinary and/or grievance procedures will be followed. These procedures are outlined in the Student and Employee Handbooks.
In all cases, the Computing and Telecommunications Department should be notified when a member of the University community is suspected of illegal or unethical use of an authorized University account or when the University's computing resources, networks, or servers have been compromised in any way.
Federal Copyright Law: U.S. copyright law grants authors certain exclusive rights of reproduction, adaptation, distribution, performance, display, attribution, and integrity to their creations. Works of literature, photographs, music, software, film and video works can all be copyrighted. Examples of probable violation of copyright laws include, but are not limited to, the following: making unauthorized copies of any copyrighted material (including commercial software, text, graphics, audio and video files), or distributing copyrighted materials over computer networks or through other means.
Federal Wire Fraud Law: Federal law prohibits use of interstate communications systems (phone, wire, radio, or television transmissions) to further an illegal scheme or to defraud.
Federal and Pennsylvania Computer Fraud and Abuse Laws: Federal law prohibits unauthorized access to, or modification of, information in computers containing national defense, banking, or financial information. Pennsylvania law makes it a third-degree felony to access any computer system or network with the intent to interrupt an organization or to perpetrate a fraud. It is a first-degree misdemeanor to intentionally and without authorization publish computer passwords.
Federal and Pennsylvania Child Pornography Laws: U.S. and Pennsylvania child pornography laws make it illegal to create, possess, or distribute graphic depictions of minors engaged in sexual activity, including computer graphics. Computers storing such information can be seized as evidence.
The University of the Sciences in Philadelphia has subscribed to the following statement on software and intellectual rights distributed by EDUCOM, a non-profit consortium of Universitys and universities committed to the use and management of information technology in higher education.
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.
Computer programs are protected by copyright law--Section 117 of the 1976 Copyright Act as amended in 1980, governing the use of software. It is the intent of the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia to adhere to the provisions of copyright laws in the area of computer software. It is also the intent of the University to comply with the license agreements and/or policy statements contained in software packages used in the University. In circumstances where interpretation of the copyright law is ambiguous, the University shall look to the applicable license agreement to determine appropriate use of the software.
Any use or reproduction of copyrighted materials will be done with the written permission of the copyright holder; otherwise, the individual responsible for use or reproduction may be liable for infringing the copyright under existing laws. In the case of a court action for damages for a finding of willful infringement, the University will not pay any judgment rendered against a faculty member, staff member, or student or pay any attorney's fees or costs which the said individual incurs in conjunction with a lawsuit, and may render the said individual liable to the University for any damages which the University is liable to pay.
This policy is available: from the Computing and Telecommunications Department; on the University homepage; at the J.W. England Library's circulation desk; in the USP Student Handbook (beginning with the 97-98 academic year); and in the USP Employee Manual.
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University of the Sciences in Philadelphia
600 South Forty-third Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-4495
Telephone: 215/596-8800