Policy for the use of IT Resources
Purpose
Officer Responsible for Policy Formulation
Reviewing Body
Policy
Regulations
Procedures
Introduction
Information Technology (IT) plays a key role in enhancing the academic program and support services available to faculty, staff and students (clients). The University Strategic Plan articulates key goals and strategies that direct how computing equipment, networks, systems and software (referred to as Information Technology resources) will be employed to improve instructional systems, information systems, and communications services.
Significant investments are occurring. Each employee is provided with convenient access to a computer workstation, networked to a wide variety of electronically based services available on campus, and other services accessible across the Internet. Training and support services are provided to ensure these resources are used effectively. Student facilities are regularly upgraded to ensure the needs of the academic program are met.
Clients are authorized to access appropriate Information Technology resources. All persons have a responsibility to use these facilities in a responsible and considerate manner that will allow all to benefit from the University’s investments in infrastructure and staff.
This policy has been formulated with the view of creating an environment where clients, as users of Information Technology resources made available by the University, have an understanding of their responsibilities, duties and obligations.
Purpose
To ensure Information Technology Resources are used only in a manner consistent within the mission of the University.
Officer Responsible for Policy Formulation
Chief Information Officer
Reviewing Body
Harding University Information Technology Policy Committee
Policy
Scope of Information Technology Services
The University provides Information Technology resources that are consistent with the mission and goals of the University. Specifically, services are provided which support teaching, learning, scholarship, administration and outreach functions of the University.
Free and Open Usage
The University’s Information Technology environment is dynamic, characterized by responsible openness, creativity and free sharing of information. This policy will respect this environment and inhibit these characteristics when necessary to protect the mission of Harding University and in upholding Christian principles.
Authorized Usage
The University will determine who has access to available Information Technology resources. Employees may be authorized to access resources required to perform their duties. Students may be authorized to access services for academic purposes relating to their course of study at the University. Access may be denied to any person who has a previous history of abuse of these or other facilities. Clients must read and abide by the Harding University’s Code of Practice for the Use of Information Technology Resources. Abuses of these privileges will lead to action in accord with the Harding University Student Handbook and/or the Harding University Employee Handbook.
Management of Services
The University accepts responsibility for the maintenance of its Information Technology resources to standards of acceptable reliability and security, and for the provision of instructional materials and training courses to enable all clients to use these resources efficiently. However those responsibilities must be managed within finite resources and the University may limit services and non-essential use where this impacts on costs or standards of performance, or implement operational procedures to encourage a rational use of resources.
Information Privacy
Harding University recognizes the right to privacy of client files and communications. However, the University reserves the right to examine files and directories where it is necessary to determine the ownership or recipient of lost or misdirected files, and also where the University has information or evidence that:
- System integrity is threatened
- Security is compromised
- An activity has a detrimental impact on the quality of service to other clients
- The system is being used for purposes which are prohibited under this policy
- The system is being used for unlawful purposes.
Standard Office Computing Environment
A standard suite of office applications software is adopted and provides benefits to the University community in the form of improved communications, training materials and technical support services for clients with workstation connections to the campus network. (Refer to the Software Support Guidelines document for details)
Disciplinary Action
Where clients contravene this policy or any associated policies and procedures, they will be dealt with in accord with the disciplinary procedures contained in the Harding University Student Handbook and/or the Harding University Employee Handbook.
Regulations
Network Integrity
The campus computer network is recognized as a key element of the electronic based services that support the academic program. Computers may be connected to the network only in accordance with the University’s telecommunications standards. Details of these standards are available from the Harding University’s Information Technology Services department. Systems must be registered and allocated an appropriate network address that is compatible with all other equipment and systems associated with the network. Any form of experimentation with the campus network is prohibited. The use of devices and/or other means to circumvent the integrity measures of the campus computer network, eg use of proxy servers, using other internet service providers, is prohinited.
Authorized Clients
Access to the University’s Information Technology resources is for authorized faculty, staff and students. Persons other than faculty, staff and students may be provided access to use Information Technology resources under special circumstances consistent with other policies of the University and subject to appropriate authorizations and indemnities.
Clients are responsible for their own accounts and are permitted to access only those resources for which they have been authorized. No client may use any other client’s authorization to neither access any system nor allow any other person to use his or her authorization to access any system.
Use of University Property
The University’s Information Technology resources, as with other University resources, are not to be used for purposes other than those deemed appropriate by the University. The University’s Information Technology resources may not normally be used for private purposes. The objective of providing these information technology resources for students is to enhance their educational programs. Responsible uses of information technology resources for other purposes, e.g. electronic communications or personal research is also considered acceptable.
Expression of Personal Views
Clients must be aware that the correspondence and discussion into which they enter when using the University network and the Internet may be construed to be representative of the University’s position. Where the client does not have authority or is not aware of the University’s position or where their personal view may vary from that of the University such correspondence must clearly state that the opinion expressed is that of the writer, and not necessarily that of the University, or words to that effect.
Official Representation of the University
Where the client is representing the views of the University, then a notation must be appended to the communication identifying the individual and the position title held within the University.
Responsibility With Regard to Laws, Harding University Policies and Contracts Between the University and External Agencies
The University has obligations relating to intellectual property, sexual harassment, and racial discrimination as defined by law, and in its own policies. The University expects that users of its Information Technology resources will also exercise their responsibilities in this area. Clients should familiarize themselves with University policies and documentation on the following matters:
- Code of Practice
- Intellectual Property
- Copyright
- Anti Discrimination policy
- Sexual Harassment policy
- Racial Discrimination policy
Clients must not act fraudulently in any way, for example, making false representations about any matter, or about the authorship of any document or work, or falsely attributing the source of any material to another person, or forging anything.
The University has certain contractual obligations relating to the use of its Information Technology resources, which constrain the way facilities, may be used. The University may take disciplinary action against anyone whose use of facilities violates the terms of such agreements. In addition to observing laws, related HARDING UNIVERSITY policies, and this policy, clients should familiarize themselves with any published acceptable use policy associated with each service.
Defamation, Harassment and Other Abusive Behavior
No client will, under any circumstances take any action, which would or might lead to the University’s Information Technology resources being used for the purpose of defaming or slandering any individual or organization or use the system in any way such that a reasonable individual may consider it to be harassing, abusive or obscene behavior.
Illicit Material
No client will, under any circumstances use the University’s Information Technology resources to access, transfer, or store illicit material. Illicit material would include any material that is threatening, obscene, discriminating, harassing, defamatory or contrary in anyway to the mission of Harding University.
Security
The primary means of security for the University’s Information Technology resources is through the allocation of individual computer accounts and access passwords. It is every client’s responsibility to ensure that Passwords are selected carefully and not shared with other persons, Computer workstations are kept physically secure, and Computer accounts are not shared with other persons.
No client will, under any circumstances take any action which would or might lead to circumventing or compromising security of any of the University’s Information Technology resources.
Interference With Other Clients
No client will, under any circumstances take any action, which would or might lead to denial or impairment of access to, or effective use of, any Information Technology resource by any other authorized client. The promulgation of software viruses or similar contaminant software is expressly forbidden.
Electronic Communications
Facilities for electronic communications (such as electronic mail, bulletin boards, list servers and news) are provided for general use consistent with this and other University policies. Clients are responsible for the use of their account and the electronic messages, which are sent from their account and should familiarize themselves with the University’s policies, regulations and procedures associated with the use of electronic communications.
Knowledge of Breach of Policy
Should any client become aware of any action by another individual, which could be considered to breach this policy, they are requested to take appropriate action to ensure it is brought to the attention of management.
Procedures
Registration of Clients
These procedures only consider access to services requiring individual registration.
Staff
All academic and general staff may be authorized to access Information Technology resources identified as being required to perform their duties, provided this is in accordance with other University policies, and subject to authorization being confirmed by the University’s delegated officer in the department nominated as managing the facility on behalf of the University.
Students
All students may be registered to access the computer laboratory and Dormnet facilities, and to access a common set of electronic services that will provide them with an information rich learning environment. Students may be registered as users of other Information Technology resources, provided it is a genuine requirement of their academic studies, or authorized by their Dean as being required to complete their studies, subject to authorization being confirmed by the University’s delegated officer in the department nominated as managing the facility on behalf of the University.
Third Parties
Visitors to the University and other persons may be authorized to access Information Technology resources in accordance with other University policies, and subject to:
- The authorization of the Chief Information Officer or delegated officer.
- The person’s signing of a clause indemnifying the University against the consequences of legal action arising from the person’s use of the resource.
- The person’s written agreement to abide by the University’s policies relating to the use of information technology resources.
- Subject to authorization being confirmed by the University’s delegated officer in the department nominated as managing the facility on behalf of the University.
Cancellation of Registrations
Unless otherwise stated, student registrations will be cancelled at the conclusion of the current period of enrolment. Staff registrations will be cancelled once their employment at the University terminates or the resource is no longer required to perform their duties.
Any client may have his/her registration(s) terminated or suspended for breach of any of the terms of this policy or related policies, as determined by the person responsible for the client and the Chief Information Officer.
