To support and enhance its mission, Schreiner University provides its students, faculty, and staff access to computing and information resources. Use of these resources is a privilege associated with membership in the university community.

To maintain membership, all networked users must act responsibly. Respect for intellectual property, for privacy of individuals and of data, for integrity of equipment, and a general recognition of the rights of others are all of central importance and will inform all network activity.

Schreiner University strives to provide a network environment that (1) ensures that systems, networks, applications, utilities, and data are on-line and accessible when authorized users need them for uses consistent with the University’s mission and goals, and (2) protects user information, data, or software from improper modification or unauthorized access.

This Responsible Computing Policy establishes standards that all users of computing and network facilities owned and administered by the University shall follow. Users are defined as all students, faculty, and staff affiliated with the University or those using the campus network in any University-owned computing environment. Local, state, and federal laws relating to copyright, security, harassment, and other statutes regarding electronic media apply to all users.

Schreiner University values the free exchange of ideas but does not tolerate plagiarism or theft. No unauthorized copying of software, including programs, applications, operating systems, and databases is allowed on computer systems or networks owned or administered by the University.

All acquisition of hardware and software to be used on campus-owned and networked machines must be coordinated with the Information Technology (IT) department to assure compatibility with other software and hardware. Campus employees are not to alter, replace, or add hardware or hardware components to any University computer or personal computer connected to the campus network without prior approval or supervision of the IT department. College personnel should notify IT whenever equipment or software fails to function normally. Students connecting personal computers to the campus student network are encouraged to consult the document Computer Information for Schreiner University Students to ensure network compatibility.

Schreiner University computing resources and associated user accounts are to be used to support university business. They are not to be used for commercial or personal activities. When using Schreiner University computing facilities to access remote resources, users are required to comply with both the policies set forth in this document and all applicable policies governing the use of the remote system.

User accounts are designed (1) to establish a system control mechanism for user identification and (2) to afford users a network location in which to store relevant academic and administrative data. The college prohibits the storage of any information, data, or programs not congruent with the mission of Schreiner University.

Users are responsible for the protection of their account identification and password and for the content of all data stored in their network account. Any suspected unauthorized access of a user account must be reported immediately to the Network Administrator. User accounts, including all data, are removed by the IT Department when the user’s college affiliation is terminated.

All data stored on University servers must adhere to applicable federal, state, and local laws, including those addressing the right to privacy, copyright, and harassment. Web content must also adhere to the University Internet Publishing Policy.

The campus computer systems and the campus network are owned by Schreiner University. Every computer attached to the campus network, regardless of ownership, may be monitored in order to ensure reasonable maintenance of system hardware, software, data, and network traffic or security. The University does not intend, as a matter of policy, to monitor network activity (including e-mail) and will respect individual privacy to the extent feasible. Should the need arise, the decision to monitor will be made by the Network Administrator in conjunction with the Director of Information Technology Services.

The following are possible actions that may be taken, particularly for an emergency. An emergency will exist if the network administrator believes that the system is being misused and that this misuse poses an immediate and serious risk of altering, damaging, or destroying information of other users or of preventing authorized use of the system.

1. The network administrator may take action to halt the current misuse, including stopping active programs. In cases of suspected unauthorized use of an account, of unauthorized access, or where the network administrator cannot reasonably identify the potential misuser or group of misusers, the network administrator may also examine the account and take other action as appropriate.

2. The University Administration shall have the responsibility to determine what other steps may be taken in accordance with individual University policies. Other action may include examining all files (including e-mail), possible denial of future use, and imposing conditions on reinstatement of use of computers. In addition, severe incidents of computer misuse should be reported to the user's supervisory authority and may lead to academic or administrative discipline.

 

If a user suspects any violation of these policies, he or she should notify the Director of Information Technology Services, the Technology Team, or her/his supervisor. Violation of this policy may result in revocation of network access and could lead to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment without prior warning.

Given the current limitations for ensuring complete security of data, Schreiner University cannot guarantee absolute privacy of the information stored on computers and in particular public timesharing and/or network accessible computers, though all reasonable attempts to do so will be employed. The University disclaims any responsibility and/or guarantees for data, information, and materials residing on non-Schreiner University systems or obtained by way of the Internet. The University will not be liable for loss of data, damages, service interruptions, or failure to deliver services.

The Information Technology department, in coordination with the University administration, is responsible for preserving the integrity of the campus computing resources and for the implementation, revision, and enforcement of the Responsible Computing Policy. The technical, cultural, and legal environment of Schreiner University as it relates to information technology use and security is constantly changing. Feedback concerning this policy is welcome. Please contact any member of the Technology Team.