Adopted October 4, 1999

NOTE: If used, the Appeal Process section MUST be revised to exclude reference to the CSIS Department and the College of Arts and Sciences.

Assignment of Responsibility:

University computing facilities are a resource purchased and operated by YSU in support of University, College, and Department missions. As such, they are to be regarded, used, and protected like any other resource. The responsibility for administration of academic computing resources has been distributed to various entities at YSU, including the Computer Center, various Colleges, and departments. The Department of Computer Science and Information Systems has been assigned the responsibility for administration of the computing resources housed on the first and third floors of Meshel Hall.

Department of Computer Science and Information Systems Acceptable Use Policy

The primary purpose of this Acceptable Use Policy is to assure access to the resources needed to carry out the Department's mission and the respective missions of the College of Arts and Sciences and the University as a whole.

Activities by groups or individuals which interferes with any of these missions, cause inconvenience to other computer users, or which threaten the security or integrity of computing facilities are of special concern to the department, even for systems for which CSIS is not directly responsible.

User Rights and Responsibilities:

Account Privacy:

Users have the right to privacy of information stored on multi-user systems. Users may assume files in their home directory and their E-mail is private and not read by others, including faculty, staff, and systems administrators. Exceptions to user privacy may be made to protect system and/or individual security or to conform to applicable laws. In every case where an exception to user privacy is made, the affected users will be notified as soon as possible.

The following should be noted when considering privacy of information:

• The privacy of E-mail cannot possibly be guaranteed if it is sent or received from remote systems.
• Information left on a PC is generally readable by anyone using that system. Under some circumstances, it is possible to read information which has been deleted.
• Information on a multi-user system can be shared with other users. Users should be familiar with file access permissions. Default permissions on accounts prevents normal access by other users.
• Any system can be compromised, with the possible modification, loss, or viewing of private data.

User Responsibilities:

Users can be held responsible for activity occurring on an account assigned to them. Prohibited activities can result in the suspension of access. Accounts and passwords should not be shared.

PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES:

The following activities are among those which are prohibited:

1. Attempts (successful or not) to log on to another user's account, except for access required by university personnel in order to investigate reported, alleged, or observed violations of this policy. In other words, no account sharing.
2. Attempts (successful or not) to remove or modify files on another user's account, or to access protected files on another user's account or in any way alter another user's account, except for cases mentioned above.
3. Attempts (successful or not) to access protected system information.
4. Intentionally running processes which seriously degrade system performance or which provide system access for other users outside the installed system access methods. (Including .rhost files)
5. The use of electronic mail, messages, or other means of communication via computer when that communication threatens or harasses another user.
6. Sending electronic mail or newsgroup postings which appear to identify your own opinion as one officially endorsed by YSU. (Adding a "disclaimer" to your file is an easy way to avoid this.)
7. Sending electronic mail or other communications in such a way as to make it appear that the communication came from another user, or using any electronic mail interface to tamper with accounts or mail transfers.
8. Repeated use of computing facilities for what are clearly non-academic purposes.
9. Any use of software or hardware designed to capture network packet traffic or to capture user activity on, among, or throughout any system or between systems and other networks.
10. Duplication or distribution of copyrighted software without consent of the publisher or author.

PUNITIVE ACTIONS:

Activities which fall into any of the categories described above may be dealt with on an interim basis by the systems administrator for the particular computer system on which the activities are alleged to have occurred. Such interim actions include any and all actions deemed necessary to protect the computer system from apparent or obvious misuse or damage. Systems administrators may issue warnings and/or informational correspondence to users when the administrator deems appropriate. Such correspondence may, but need not, be accompanied by referral to a disciplinary committee. Removal of computer account privileges for unauthorized or improper use may take place on an interim basis pending the results of a disciplinary hearing.

Appeal Process:

Any actions taken as a result of real or perceived violations of this policy may be appealled to the Chairperson of Computer Science and Information System followed by the Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences.

Additional References:

Lab users should also be familiar with the following:

• "The Code -- A Handbook of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct", published by Youngstown State University.
• Acceptable Use Policy for the College of Arts & Sciences.
• Course grading policies for individual instructors.
• CSIS lab rules posted on third floor of Meshel Hall.