I. AASU Acceptable Use Policy of Computer Resources and Services

1.0 Background and Purpose:

This document represents the University-wide guidelines and responsibilities required to maintain acceptable and proper use of all AASU computer resources and services. The intent of this policy is to educate users about their responsibilities regarding computing resources and services while identifying certain unacceptable uses of computing resources and services.

1.1 Scope
This policy covers all computer and communincations equipment owned or operated by Armstrong Atlantic State University including all equipment attached to or using AASUNet resources. Explicit in the above statement is that this policy also includes ANYONE using AASU computer and/or communications equipment and/or ANYONE accessing and/or using AASUNet resources.

1.2 User Responsibilities

1.2.1 Courtesy and respect for rights of others.
The AASU campus community has the responsibility to foster a positive and secure campus community by respecting and valuing the right to privacy and the diversity of the population and opinion in the community. In addition, all are responsible for complying with University policy and all laws and contracts regarding the use of information.

1.2.2 Use of resources.
Users are responsible for knowing what information resources are available, including those shared by the campus community. Users should refrain from all acts that waste or prevent others from using these resources.

Users have a responsibility to ensure the security and integrity of the computer and network resources and services they use or access. Responsibilities include performing regular data backups, controlling physical access to information and computer equipment, using virus protection software, and keeping the virus definition file (DAT file) up to date. Responsibilites may also include updating Windows Critical Updates as requested by Computer and Information Services.

1.2.3 Information integrity.
Users are responsible for the accuracy, completeness, trustworthiness, timeliness, and relevance of the data they enter into and extract from AASU information systems. Users should not unconditionally depend on information or communications to be correct when they appear contrary to expectations. It is important to verify the integrity of the data entered into AASU information systems because information contained on AASU information systems may be used for reporting at a future date. Such reports could influence future decisions made by the state concerning student funding, employment opportunities, capital projects, policy design, and other data related issues.

1.2.4 Preventive maintenance of computer equipment.
Users need to perform routine care for the computer equipment located in their offices.

Users should take appropriate precautions when locating food and beverages near computer equipment.

1.3 Rules

1.3.1 No one shall use any University computer resources or services without proper authorization. No one shall assist in, encourage or conceal any unauthorized use or attempt at unauthorized use of any of the University's computer resources and services.

Use of computer resources and services without permission is theft of services and is illegal under state and federal law - GA CODE 16-9-90 et seq.

Authorized use of AASU-owned or operated computing and network resources is use consistent with the academic and service missions of the University.

Authorized users are:
· Current faculty, staff and students on AASU
· Approved auxiliary service employees (Compass Point, Educational Technology Training Center, Cafeteria)
· Approved individuals whose involvement with the University furthers the mission of the University and whose usage will not interfere with other authorized users' access to resources.

1.3.2 No one shall copy, install or use any software or data files in violation of applicable copyrights or license agreements.

This applies to personal copies of software packages being installed on AASU-owned computers. Since AASU can not verify that your copy of software is not currently installed on your personal computer for which it was intended, installing it on an AASU-owned computer would violate Federal Copyright laws. To ensure compliance with copyright laws, only software packages purchased with AASU funds should be installed on an AASU-owned computer.

Users are prohibited from using, copying, storing and redistributing copyrighted computer programs and other materials such as music and movie files. Such activities are a violation of U.S. Copyright Law (http://www.copyright.gov/title17/).

Before installing or downloading software, a user must read the license agreement and certify compliance.

Additional information of copyrights can be viewed at http://www.usg.edu/admin/legal/copyright/index.phtml - Regents Guide to Understanding Copyright & Educational Fair Use and http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/scc/legislative/teachkit/overview.html - The TEACH Toolkit.

1.3.3 No one without proper authorization shall modify or reconfigure the software or hardware of any University computer.

Users may not modify the hardware, operating system or application software of a University computer unless they have been authorized to do so by the CIS department or other administrative unit that is responsible for the computer. The Workstation Support technicians on whom users rely for support are expecting to find it configured exactly the way they left it.

1.3.4 No one without specific authorization shall use any University computer resource or service for non-University business.
By law, the University can only provide computer resources and services for its own work, not for private use. Therefore, using University resources or services to establish, run or support a personal and/or non-University related business venture (e.g. via email, web site, listserv, etc.) is prohibited.
Users in need of computing/printing resources for private or personal purposes, will need to contact local computer vendors for procurement options.

Users in need of Internet access for private or personal purposes, will need to contact a commercial Internet Service Provider (ISP) such as AOL, Earthlink or Comcast.

1.3.5 Users may not use peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing programs, including, but not limited to, Kazaa, Gnutella, Morpheus, Audiogalaxy Satellite, Win MX, etc.

Copyrighted materials can not be shared by any means without proper permission. This includes sharing via network file shares, the web, or any other means and is not limited to peer-to-peer programs.
Some of the known concerns/issues with peer-to-peer file sharing include:
· Users from all over the world can connect to AASU machines to copy music (and other) files, day and night. This causes the user's machine to run slowly and as a result the AASU network performance suffers.
· The presence of unlicensed, copyrighted files on University-owned computers is against university policy and opens the university and the computer user to legal actions.

1.4 Enforcement

These policies and procedures are designed to ensure the integrity, security, and proper effective functioning of campus IT services. All policy and procedure violations will be subject to investigation and appropriate disciplinary action through established channels that may include, for serious violations, letters of reprimand and/or termination of employment.