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MU Home » Faculty, Staff and Administration » Office of Institutional Computing

The University reserves the right to modify and/or expand this policy at any time.

1. All users shall respect the privacy of other users. This means that no users will attempt to access, copy, or disrupt the use of information that belongs to others. This includes email files. Proscribed behavior includes any attempt to or any hacking behavior. It is against University policy for anyone to connect any device to the campus network that will allow additional equipment to be connected. Such devices include, but are not limited to: Wireless Access Points, bridges, routers, switches, hardware and software servers, transceivers, converters, hubs, printers, concentrators. Users are not authorized to attach anything to the Metodist University Network that isn't approved by the Computing Services Department. Any unauthorized attempt to access campus resources or any disruptive behavior on campus networks or systems will be dealt with immediately and severely.

2. All users shall abide by copyright laws. This means that copying or use of programs or files that are not licensed to the user is forbidden. If you don’t own a copy of a program, you cannot load it on your computer. You cannot load multiple copies of programs for which you don’t own multiple licenses. If any computer software is loaded on a Methodist University computer and no license can be produced for the software, the Computer Services staff will remove the software from the computer.

3. All users who are authorized to use the Methodist University Student Information System are required to exercise diligence and discretion to ensure that confidential information contained within the Methodist University Student Information System is protected against unauthorized disclosure. This means safeguarding passwords, as well as informing the Computer Services Staff immediately when a user suspects that security has been compromised. Each user is required a unique account and password and use only that account and password. Users are also required to log off of any terminal when they are physically away from the keyboard. Each user must confine the use of the information contained in the Methodist University Student Information System to official needs. Individual users must not allow unauthorized parties to load software on their systems, and they must not download information onto removable media without proper authorization.

4. All users shall follow appropriate standards of civility and conduct and respect the feelings of others when engaged in communication. This means that all users will identify themselves and restrain from any behavior or communication that might be considered harassing, discriminatory, or in any way calculated to cause discomfort or embarrassment to readers or users of the communication.

5. All users shall use Methodist University computing resources for University-related work consistent with the stated mission of the University. This means that no one shall use University resources for personal financial gain or any activity that would jeopardize the tax-exempt status of the University. The University will not be responsible for unauthorized debts or obligations incurred by users.

6. All users will realize that, although there is no set bandwidth, CPU time, or other limit applicable to all users of Methodist University computing resources. Methodist University may require users of these resources to limit or refrain from specific uses in accordance with the principles stated elsewhere in this policy. The reasonableness of any particular use will be judged in the context of all of the relevant circumstances at the time.

7. All users shall abide by all applicable state and federal law pertaining to communications. This includes the sending of chain letters on the Internet, which is a violation of federal laws.

8. All violations of the above policies will be investigated by University authorities and/or law enforcement agencies. At such time that a violation is discovered, the Computer Services Staff will take the appropriate action to immediately curtail the activity. This includes, but is not limited to, the immediate revocation of all rights on computer systems at Methodist University. In carrying out an investigation pertaining to the violation of any of the above policies, or the violation of any University policy, it may become necessary for University authorities to examine files, accounting information, printouts, tapes, or any other materials. For reasons of potential liability, the University reserves the right to monitor all communications on the University systems. Users should be aware of this fact and the fact that any computer correspondence can be used against them in disciplinary actions within the University disciplinary system, as well as used as evidence in a court of law.

9. Penalties for the violations of the above provisions may include, but are not limited to, expulsion, suspension, discharge from employment, and possible prosecution by state and federal authorities.

10. Use of the Methodist University computer system(s) signifies acceptance of the Methodist University Computer Use Policy.