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This policy governs the use of computers, networks, and related services on the Syracuse University campus. Users
of these resources are responsible for reading and understanding this policy. Computers and networks can provide access
to resources on and off campus, as well as the ability to communicate with other users worldwide. Such access is a
privilege and requires that individual users act responsibly. Users must respect the rights of others, respect the integrity
of the computers, networks, and related services, and observe all relevant laws, regulations, contractual obligations,
and University policies and procedures.
the syracuse university computer system
The Syracuse University Computer System includes: computers, communications networks, computer accounts, web pages,
network access, central computing and telecommunications facilities, and related services. The Computer System at
Syracuse University is maintained by Information Technology and Services (ITS), located at 120 Hinds Hall.
Access to and use of the University's Computer System is a privilege granted to currently enrolled Syracuse University
students, faculty, and staff. All users of the Computer System must act responsibly and maintain the integrity of the
Computer System. The University reserves the right to deny, limit, revoke, or extend computing privileges and access
to the Computer System in its discretion. In addition, alleged violations of this policy or violation of other University
policies in the course of using the Computer System may result in an immediate loss of computing privileges and may also
result in the referral of the matter to the University Judicial System or other appropriate authority.
All messages, data files and programs stored in or transmitted via the Computer System ("Electronic Communications")
are Syracuse University records. The University reserves the right to access and disclose all messages, data files and
programs sent over or stored in its Computer System for any purpose.
It is the responsibility of all users of the Computer System to notify ITS about violations of laws and University
policies in connection with the use of the Computer System, as well as about potential loopholes in the security of
the Computer System. The user community is expected to cooperate with ITS in its operation of the Computer System, as
well as in the investigation of Computer System misuse or abuse. Any concerns, complaints, or reports of misconduct
with regard to the Computer System should be reported to the Director of Client Services at 443-3631.
- Computer Accounts. Computer accounts are issued to University faculty, staff, and students, and other
individuals at the discretion of ITS, for University purposes. These accounts must not be used for commercial purposes.
Every computer account issued by the University is the responsibility of the person in whose name it is issued. That
individual must keep the account secure from unauthorized access by keeping the password secret, by changing the password
often, and by reporting to ITS when anyone else is using the account without permission. Passwords are intended to help
prevent unauthorized access and may not be shared. The contents of all accounts are subject to access and disclosure
by the University as set forth in this policy.
- Electronic Communications. Syracuse University has established email as a primary vehicle for official
communication with students. Emergency notifications, educational dialog, research
and general business correspondence are all consistently enhanced in institutions
of higher learning where email policies exist and are supported by procedures,
practice and culture.
An official email address is established and assigned by Information Technology and
Services for each registered student, and current faculty and staff member.
All University communications sent via email will be sent to this address.
Faculty members will use the official University email address to communicate
with a student registered in their classes and administrative units will
correspond with students via this address.
The University expects that students will receive and read email in a timely
manner. Students are expected to maintain their accounts and check their email
daily so that new mail will be properly received and read. A student's failure
to receive and read University communications delivered to his/her official
email address in a timely manner does not absolve that student from knowing and
complying with the content of such communications.
While students are allowed to redirect email from their official University
email address to another address (e.g. @hotmail.com, @aol.com), they do so at
their own risk. The University is not responsible for the handling of email by
other service providers. Having email redirected does not absolve students from
knowing and complying with the content of the communication sent to their
official University email address.
- Improper Use of the Computer System. Improper use of the Computer System is prohibited. The following are
examples of improper use of the Computer System:
- Prohibited Behavior: Storing, transmitting or printing any of the following types of Electronic
Communications on the Computer System is prohibited: material that infringes upon the rights of another person; material
that is obscene; material that consists of any advertisements for commercial enterprises; material or behaviors that
violate the Syracuse University Code of Student Conduct or other University policies; or, material that may injure
someone else and/or lead to a lawsuit or criminal charges.
- Harassment: Harassing others by sending annoying, abusive, profane, threatening, defamatory or
offensive messages is prohibited. Some examples include: obscene, threatening, or repeated unnecessary messages;
sexually, ethnically, racially, or religiously offensive messages; continuing to send messages after a request to stop;
and procedures that hinder a computer session.
- Destruction, Sabotage: Intentionally destroying anything stored on the Computer System, including
anything stored in primary or random access memory is prohibited. Deliberately performing any act that will seriously
impact the operation of the Computer System. This includes, but is not limited to, tampering with components
of a local area network (LAN) or the high-speed backbone network, otherwise blocking communication lines, or interfering
with the operational readiness of a computer or peripheral.
- Evasive Techniques: Attempts to avoid detection of improper or illegal behavior by encrypting
electronic messages and computer files are prohibited.
- Unauthorized Use/Access: Using the Computer System to gain or attempt to gain unauthorized access to
remote computers is prohibited. Other prohibited behaviors include: actions that give simulated sign off messages, public
announcements, or other fraudulent system responses; possessing or changing system control information (e.g., program
status, protection codes, and accounting information), especially when used to defraud others, obtain passwords, gain
access to and/or copy other user's electronic communications, or otherwise interfere with or destroy the work of
other users.
- E-Mail Forgery: Forging e-mail, including concealment of the sender's identity, is prohibited.
- Theft/Unauthorized Use of Data: Data created and maintained by the University, or acquired from
outside sources, are vital assets of the University and may be subject to a variety of use restrictions. Theft of or
unauthorized access to data is prohibited.
- Program Theft: Unless specifically authorized, copying computer program(s) from the Computer System
is prohibited.
- Viruses, etc: Running or installing on the Computer System, or giving to another, a program that
could result in the eventual damage to a file or the Computer System, and/or the reproduction of itself, is prohibited.
This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, the classes of programs known as computer viruses, Trojan horses, and
worms.
- Security: Attempting to circumvent data protection schemes or uncover security loopholes is
prohibited.
- Wasting Resources: Performing acts that are wasteful of computing resources or that unfairly
monopolize resources to the exclusion of others is prohibited. These acts include, but are not limited to: sending mass
mailings or chain letters; creating unnecessary multiple jobs or processes; generating unnecessary or excessive output
or printing; or, creating unnecessary network traffic.
- Accessing User Accounts: Attempting to access or monitor another user's electronic communications
is prohibited. Accessing, reading, copying, changing, disclosing, or deleting another user's messages, files or software
without permission of the owner is prohibited.
- Recreational Use: Recreational use of the Computer System that interferes with the ability of other
users to complete their work is prohibited. In particular, if you are using a machine in a Public Computer Lab for
recreational purposes, and others are waiting to use a machine for academic purposes, you are expected to give up your
seat.
- Public Computer Labs. Public Computer Labs are part of the Computer System operated by ITS and are a
shared University resource available on a first-come, first-served basis. A valid University or SUNY ESF ID card is
required to use the Labs. Food and beverages are prohibited in the Labs. Labs may be reserved for exclusive
use by a class or group; schedules are posted on each Lab's door and published electronically to various new groups
every week. Some Labs are provided by departments other than ITS; contact those departments for their additional
usage guidelines.
- Mail Distribution Lists.Mail Distribution Lists (often called LISTSERV lists) facilitate E-mail discussions on
specified topics. Syracuse University faculty, staff, and students may request to sign up for list maintenance and
membership, and have the discretion to control list content. List owners should not add subscribers to their list without
the knowledge and consent of the subscriber to be added.
The University does not monitor the content of Mail Distribution List e-mail, except as otherwise provided in this policy,
and is not responsible for the content of such messages. However, the University may terminate lists that consume
excessive resources or are no longer relevant to the purposes of the University. In addition, the University may take
action where lists violate this computing policy or other University policies. Posting of material unrelated to a list's
usual content may be prohibited in the discretion of the list's owner. Posting unrelated material to multiple lists
("spamming") will be grounds for account revocation and other disciplinary action.
General e-mail announcements to the University community, such as HOTNEWS and system "Messages of the Day", are limited
to those messages that concern University business and are deemed to be of the greatest interest to the most recipients.
- Backup Copies. Data on the Computer System are subject to backup at the discretion of the University.
- Deleting Electronic Communications. Users of the Computer System should be aware that electronic Communications
are not necessarily erased from the Computer System when the user "deletes" the file or message. Deleting an Electronic
Communication causes the Computer System to "forget" where the message or file is stored on the Computer System. In addition,
Electronic Communication may continue to be stored on a backup copy long after it is "deleted" by the user. As a result,
deleted messages often can be retrieved or recovered after they have been deleted.
- Computer Law. Under Article 156 of the New York State Penal Code, criminal sanctions are imposed for offenses
involving computers, software, and computer data. The offenses include unauthorized use of the computer, computer trespass,
computer tampering, and unlawful duplication or possession of computer related material. Improper or unauthorized access
to, or release or manipulation of, any student record in such form is included in such offenses.
All computers, software, data, business records, and student records of the University in any form, including electronic
or paper, belong to the institution. Any person committing an offense with respect to them may be subject personally
to criminal sanctions and other liability. Federal laws may also apply to some circumstances.
- Copyright Infringement. The Copyright Laws of the United States prohibit unauthorized copying. Violators
may be subject to criminal prosecution and/or be liable for monetary damages.
In general, you may not copy, download, install or use software on the Computer System without acquiring a license from
the publisher. (For example, you may not copy it from a friend or other source.) Furthermore, you may not copy the
University's software, unless such copying is specifically permitted by the license agreement.
The ability to download documents from the Internet, and to attach files to E-mail messages, increases the opportunity
for and risk of copyright infringement. A user can be liable for the unauthorized copying and distribution of copyrighted
material through the use of download programs and E-mail. Accordingly, you may not copy and/or distribute any materials
of a third party (including software, database files, documentation, articles, graphics files, audio or video files)
unless you have the written permission of the copyright holder to do so. Any questions regarding copying or
downloading should be directed to ITS.
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