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University of Houston - Victoria

University of Houston-Victoria

Information Technology

Acceptable Usage Policy for Technology Resources

 

Information Technology (I.T.) provides services and resources to the faculty, staff and students of UH-Victoria. All users have the responsibility to use the campus' computing systems, software, technology, equipment, and available network resources in an effective, efficient, ethical, and lawful manner. The ethical and legal standards that are to be  maintained are derived directly from standards of common sense and common decency that apply to the use of any public resource. The campus computing facilities are a state resource and should not be used by unauthorized personnel or for personal or corporate profit

Conditions of Use

The following conditions apply to all users of the computing facilities. Violations of any of these conditions are certainly unethical and may be violations of school policy or criminal offenses.

As a condition of use of any of the computing facilities, including local and wide area network resources, the user agrees to respect:
the privacy of other users' files, accounts, and passwords,

the legal protection (copyright) of software and data; for example, users shall not make copies of a licensed computer program to avoid paying additional license fees or to share with other users,


 the intended usage for which access was granted
 the integrity of computing systems
 the financial structure (or charges) of a computing system
 the shared nature of the computing resources
 the rights of other users


Incidental Computer Use

Incidental personal use of computing resources is an exception to the general prohibition against the use of university equipment for anything other than official university business. Incidental use is defined as occasional personal use, of minimal time and duration, and results in no additional cost to the university. Incidental use must not interfere with assigned job responsibilities or be in violation of existing security and access rules.

Reporting Violations

Users should report to an I.T. manager, or to the individual in charge of their computing resource, information they may have concerning instances in which the above conditions have been or are being violated. When possible violations of these conditions of use are reported or discovered, I.T. managers reserve the right to begin an investigation of possible abuse. In this connection, I.T. managers, with due regard for the rights of privacy and other rights of users, have the authority to examine passwords, files, accounting information, printouts, or other material that may aid the investigation. Users, when requested, are expected to cooperate in such investigations. Failure to do so may be grounds for cancellation of access privileges. While an investigation is in progress, in order to prevent further possible unauthorized activity, an I.T. manager may suspend the authorization of computing services to the individual or account in question.

When possible unauthorized use of computing resources is encountered, the I.T. manager shall notify the user. The user is expected to take remedial action or to indicate that such use should be permitted. Should unauthorized use continue after notification of the user or should differences of opinion persist, these shall be brought to the attention of the I.T. Director for recommendations on further action. Upon the recommendation of the I.T. Director, I.T. managers may impose limitations on continued use of computing resources. Confirmation of unauthorized use of the computing facilities may also result in disciplinary review, as outlined in the following policies:

Ethics, Conflict of Interest, and Gifts, (C-8)


Discipline and Dismissal of Regular Staff Employees, (C-14)
Employee Grievances (C-21)
Academic Sanctions and Appeals (Student Handbook)


The disciplinary review could lead to expulsion from the institution, termination of employment, and/or legal action.