ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATIONS MANUAL
USE OF COMPUTER RESOURCES
Policy #2:22
Effective Date May 16, 2003

SCOPE

POLICY

The use of Gallaudet University computer resources, including access to databases and e-mail accounts, the data and voice networks and network connections, computer laboratory equipment, University owned or leased personal computers, laptops, servers, network control devices, printers, faxes modems, and telephone equipment is limited to Gallaudet students, faculty, teachers, staff and the Board of Trustees. Other may be Technology Services by the appropriate administrative officer; however, an annual fee is charged to the user or sponsor. Annual fees are determined by the Director of Information Technology Services.

For the purpose of this policy, students are considered those currently matriculating at the University in degree granting or certificate programs or enrolled at the Clerc Center. Student status is verified at the end of each enrollment period. Faculty, teachers, and staff include all those who are classified as regular and extended temporary status, and those who are considered part-time, short-term, or consultants with the approval of the unit administrator. All IT resources provided to employees with a temporary appointment are terminated upon expiration of the appointment and may be renewed if the employee is rehired. The accounts of others terminate when the individual separates from or is no longer affiliated with the University.

All connections to the University network must be authorized by the Information Technology Services Department. Furthermore, all IT accounts and network addresses must be authorized by the department. Individuals applying for IT resources must accept and abide by this policy and by other policies that the Information Technology Services Department may apply to protect the University's ability to use IT resources to serve its core functions.

Any information technology device that connects directly to the University's data or telephone networks, or that connects directly to a University owned computer or server, is subject to this policy, whether the particular piece of equipment is owned by the University, another entity, or an individual.

The following actions are prohibited on all University IT resources:

• Offensive language or pictures; communication in violation of the University's policy on Protection Against Sexual Harassment; threats, use of ethnic, racial, religious, or sexual orientation slurs; statements or pictures which embarrass or humiliate; illegal activities, such as those that infringe on copyright, including the unauthorized copying of software, videos, illustrations, music, or other protected products; child pornography; fraud; harassment; or any other activity that may expose the University to legal action or that might endanger the University's tax exempt status.
• Use of IT resources for personal gain, political movements or campaigns, non-Gallaudet related fund raising activities, or actions that conflict with more general University policies, statutes, and bylaws.
• Activities that threaten the functioning of the University's network, database systems, telecommunications systems, or security measures. Examples include: mass mailings; unauthorized high bandwidth applications; denial-of-service attacks; attempts to disguise ports or University network connected devices; attempts to circumvent University firewalls; interference with network monitoring processes; and any activity that disables, or attempts to disable, either the University's networks or network services.

In the event that the Information Technology Services Department, or another appropriate unit of the University, believes that IT resources are being used inappropriately, illegally, or in conflict with this policy, Gallaudet University reserves the right to review individual IT records to the extent necessary to assess the problem and determine responsibility and, if necessary, to delete files, programs, network connections, and/or user accounts. The review may include network logs as well as an examination of the logs of personal computers or servers that are attached to the University network, whether or not they are owned by the University. The University also reserves the right to respond to legally-mandated requests for IT records. Abuse of IT privileges can result in appropriate disciplinary action including, but not limited to, referral to the appropriate judicial jurisdiction.