Oregon State University Policy on Acceptable use of University Computing Facilities Adopted, January 25, 1991 The University encourages sharing of information, comprehensive access to local and national facilities to create and disseminate information, and free expression of ideas. General access facilities and infrastructure are provided to further these purposes. There is an obligation on the part of those using these facilities and services to respect the intellectual and access rights of others--locally, nationally and internationally. Computing resources and facilities of Oregon State University shall be used for legitimate University instructional, research, administrative, public service, or approved contract purposes. Individuals who disregard elements of this policy will be subject to appropriate disciplinary and/or legal action by Oregon State University. Individuals using or arranging for the use by others (e.g. an instructor obtaining log-in codes and passwords for students in a class) of university computing facilities--mainframe, minicomputers, microcomputers and network--for any purpose, assume the responsibility to see that these resources are used in an appropriate and legitimate manner for the use authorized. Use of University computing facilities for personal or commercial monetary gain must be consistent with state statutes and Board of Higher Education Administrative Rules. Such use should be specifically recognized by the existence of a written contract giving full detail of any financial obligation and/or charge for use if any. Individuals and non-University organizations using University facilities to gain access to non-university facilities must be cognizant of and observe the acceptable use policies of the communications media: specifically BITNET, NorthWestNet, USAN, and NSFNet. Failure to observe these policies will result in disconnection of the supporting server from the network. Viewing and/or using another person's computer files, programs, or data without the permission of that individual is unethical behavior, an invasion of privacy, and can be considered (in the case of unauthorized use) theft of personal property. Individual units maintaining individual, computer based files must be cognizant of the requirements of the Oregon Public Records Statute ORS 192.001 to 192.505; Public Law 93-380 (The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974); Oregon Revised Statutes 351-065 and 351-070; and the Oregon State Board of Higher Education Administrative Rules 580-13 and 580-22. Questions about the applicability of these statutes may be referred to the campus legal advisor. Entry into a system, including the network system, by individuals not specifically authorized (by group or personally) shall be viewed as trespass. Attempts to circumvent the protective mechanisms of any University system shall be considered attempted theft or trespass. Deliberate attempts to degrade system performance or capability, or attempts to damage systems, software or intellectual property of others shall be viewed as criminal activity. The electronic mail system shall not be used for "broadcasting" of unsolicited mail. The communication system shall not be used for sending of material that is considered obscene, offensive, or threatening by the recipient of the material. The University will not normally monitor individual usage of any general facility. However, the University reserves the right to monitor and record the usage of all facilities if threatening or abusive behavior has been reported. The University has the right to use information gained in this way in disciplinary or criminal proceedings. University Computing Services is the appropriate campus agency for the negotiation of contracts and licenses for facilities used on a campus-wide basis, and is the appropriate repository for those relative contracts and licenses. Individual units may negotiate for facilities of more specific nature but should be cognizant of state and OSSHE contract and license requirements. Contracts with external organizations must be approved and signed by the University Contracts Officer. Virtually all commercial software is protected by the Federal Copyright Act. Use of University facilities for the use of or the copying of computer software that does not contain specific permission to copy (some licenses do allow the making of one copy for backup) is prohibited. The State of Oregon Executive Department Administrative Rule 02-14 specifically requires all software licensing requirements to be observed. For more information - John E. Skelton, Director University Computing Services Oregon State University skeltonj@ucs.orst.edu