"... the university assumes that what we teach and how we teach ought to foster in our students a disposition for responsible conduct. As such, we are committed to encouraging attitudes of integrity and fairness, respect for others, dedication to the pursuit of truth, and the willingness to uphold and to challenge one's own convictions. It is expected that these attitudes will instill in our students a desire to do things well, to sustain rather than disparage high principles, and to participate as informed, committed citizens in the public forum."

- Salisbury University Mission Statement, 1983

The Salisbury University campus network connects computers on campus and thousands of other computers within the University of Maryland System and millions of computers in the Internet. As you explore the campus network and the Internet beyond, you will discover the many advantages of network connectivity. This connectivity also requires that you understand the rights and responsibilities of being an electronic learner in order to protect the integrity of the system and the integrity of other users.

In order to support and enhance the educational mission of Salisbury University, access is granted to faculty, staff and registered students to University owned and operated computer systems and facilities. Exceptions apply to those individuals outside the University who are authorized by the Dean of Information Technology to utilize computer resources that have been made available through Salisbury University. These individuals, known as "users" of the University's computer resources are expected to act responsibly, ethically, and lawfully. Access granted to users is subject to all University policies, Federal, State and Local laws. Users accessing computer systems of other educational institutions, must adhere to policies and/or regulations for that particular institution as well.

Use of your campus network and all components of the network is a privilege, not a right, associated with membership in the university community. The campus network and its components owned or operated by Salisbury University include but are not limited to: minicomputers, microcomputers, computer accounts, modem banks, printers, scanners, software, electronic mail, data, computer labs. Your campus network and many of the components that make up, or are attached to the network, are the property of the State of Maryland. Unless you know otherwise, you should consider your campus network and all associated components to be the property of the State of Maryland.

The following Rules of Use are intended to help you use your campus computing and network facilities responsibly and safely. Complying with them will help assure that all use of the system is responsible, legal, and respectful of privacy. All users of University owned and operated computer systems and facilities are responsible for being aware of this policy and all policies and procedures that govern the Salisbury University community. Violations of this policy that results in improper or unacceptable use of the University computer resources are subject to the disciplinary actions as defined in but not limited to the Student Code of Conduct, the Faculty Handbook, Personnel Policies and Rules for Classified Employees and any SU administrative and/or departmental policies. Violations that may constitute a criminal offense may also result in the user being prosecuted under Federal and/or State Laws.

If a user suspects any violation of computer laws and policies, as well as any potential loopholes in the security of the SU computer network, they should notify the Salisbury University Office of Information Technology & Services. Information Technology & Services will be responsible for the implementation, revision and enforcement of the Acceptable Use Policy at Salisbury University. It is the responsibility of the user to cooperate with Information Technology & Services in its operation of its computer network and the investigation of any reported misuse or abuse. Please contact Information Technology & Services in Fulton Hall, Room 280 or call (410) 543-6111 if you have any questions concerning this policy or if you would like to report any alleged violations of this policy.

Information Technology & Services is responsible for preserving the integrity of the campus network, and will use the guidelines of this policy in their effort. Salisbury University disclaims any responsibility and/or guarantees for data, information and materials residing on non-SU systems or obtained by way of the Internet. Although Information Technology & Services tries to provide a stable and reliable computer network, you may at times experience an interruption of your work due to a system crash, network outage or power outage. This interruption may result in loss of your data, files and/or software. In an effort to minimize your risk, users should frequently back up their work. Salisbury University will not be liable for loss of data, damages, service interruptions or failure to deliver services.

The following Rules of Use are:

Assure Fair Access to Shared Resources

It is important to be considerate in your use of shared resources. Users should avoid controlling or degrading computer systems, overloading networks, or wasting computer time. Consideration of shared resources should include connect time, disk space, printer paper, support staff and other computer resources.  

Observe the Intended Use Of Your Campus Network.

The purpose of the campus network is to support research, education, service, and administrative activities, by providing access to computing resources and the opportunity for collaborative work. All use of your campus network must be consistent with this purpose. In particular, your campus network may not be used to transmit threatening, obscene, or harassing e-mail.  

Maintain the Confidentiality of Your Password(s).

Your computer account userid identifies you to the whole Internet user community. Anyone who knows your password can use your account. If he or she does anything that affects the system, it will be traced back to your userid. If your userid or your computer account is used in an inappropriate manner, you can be held responsible.  

Comply with the Laws Governing Copyrighted Materials.

Many programs, images, sounds, text, and related materials such as documentation, are owned by individual users or third parties, and are protected by copyright and other laws, by licenses and other contractual agreements. You must abide by these restrictions, because to do otherwise is a crime. 

Such restrictions may include prohibitions against copying data, images, sounds, or programs, the resale of this material or the use of this material for non-educational purposes or for financial gain, and public disclosure of information about programs (e.g., source code) without the owner's authorization otherwise might make you subject to criminal or civil penalties.  
 

Comply with the Laws Governing the Privacy Of Other Users.

Federal law protects the privacy of users of wire and electronic communications. Maryland State Law (Annotated Code of Maryland, Article 27, Sections 45A and 146) also protects your rights as a user of campus computing facilities. You should make sure that your use of your campus network and other computing facilities does not violate the privacy of other users, if even unintentionally. Specifically:   

• Don't try to access the files or directories of another user without clear authorization from that user. Typically, this authorization is signaled by the other user's setting file access permissions to allow public or group reading of the files. If you are in doubt, ask.
• Don't try to intercept or otherwise monitor any network communications not explicitly meant for you. These include e-mail and user-to-user dialog, as well as a user's password input.
• Don't use the system to store personal information about individuals which they would not normally disseminate freely about themselves.
• Don't create shared programs that secretly collect information about its users. Software on your campus network is subject to the same guidelines for protecting privacy as any other information-gathering project at the University. This means, for example, that you may not collect information about individual users without their consent.

Assure You are You.

Willful misrepresentation of yourself as another individual is not allowed on your campus network or in any electronic communication with other parties.  

Assure Ethical Use of Your E-Mail Privileges.

Guidelines on the use of e-mail are not based on etiquette alone. E-mail sent with the intent of disrupting communication or other system services is not allowed. The proliferation of electronic chain letters is abusive to the mail system and the network. Chain letters waste valuable computing resources, and may be considered harassing. You may lose your network privileges by creating or forwarding chain letters.  

Comply With the Laws Governing Harassment.

Harassment, is any verbal or physical conduct, on or off campus, which has the intent or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's or group's educational or work performance or which creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational or work environment. Harassment on the basis of race, color, gender, disability, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or age includes harassment of an individual in terms of a stereotyped group characteristic, or because of that person's identification with a particular group. With reference to sexual harassment, the definition also includes unwelcome sexual advances and requests for sexual favors which might be perceived as explicitly or implicitly affecting educational or employment decisions concerning an individual. Sending unwanted and/or offensive e-mail or messages may constitute harassment and is in violation of the intended use of the system. Use appropriate language. Profanity or obscenity will not be tolerated on your campus network. Each of us should use language appropriate for the intended recipient. Avoid offensive or inflammatory speech. Personal attacks are an unacceptable use of the network. To report incidents of on-line harassment, send e-mail to guinevere@salisbury.edu.  

Assure the Legal Use of the System.

Use of your campus network for illegal or criminal purposes may result in immediate suspension of your privileges on the network and components attached to the network.  

Assure the Use of the System is for University Related Activities.

The purpose of the campus network is for the use and support of Salisbury University educational activities. Computer resources are not to be used for commercial purposes, for personal business, or non-university related activities.  
 

System Administrators, Whenever Possible, Will Respect Your Privacy.

All users should know that the system administrators do periodic security checks of your campus network and attached components, including password checks. Any user with a "bad password" will be notified via e-mail. If you do not change the password in a timely manner, you will be "locked out" of the account until you contact, via telephone, the appropriate system administrator. E- mail on your campus network is as private as we can make it; however, you should know that privacy of your e-mail cannot be guaranteed. Attempts to read another person's e-mail or other protected files will be treated with the utmost seriousness. System administrators will not read mail or non-world-readable files unless absolutely necessary in the course of their duties, and will treat the contents of those files as private information at all times.  

When an individual is alleged to be abusing network or other computing resources, any or all of his or her network and computing privileges may be suspended immediately to protect the resources and to assure reliable service to the rest of the campus community. Any alleged infraction that results in suspension of any or all privileges will be forwarded to an appropriate campus authority for timely review. The individual will be notified through campus or US mail. If appropriate, the matter may also be referred to the appropriate State or Federal authorities.