Canisius College

CONDITIONS FOR USE OF CANISIUS COLLEGE COMPUTER AND NETWORK FACILITIES

I.  Guiding Principles

Canisius College computing and network resources are to be used for College-related research, instruction, learning, enrichment, dissemination of scholarly information, and administrative activities. The computing and network facilities of the College are limited and should be used wisely and carefully with consideration for the needs of others. Computers and network systems offer powerful tools for communication among members of the community and of communities outside the College. When used appropriately, these tools can enhance dialog and collaboration. Unlawful or inappropriate use of these resources, however, can infringe on the rights of others. The College expects faculty, staff, and students to use electronic resources in a lawful and responsible manner to support the College mission of education, research, service. 

II. Conditions

1. Canisius College computer users shall use the college’s computer and network facilities in a responsible manner consistent with the instructional, research, and administrative goals of the College.
   
   Discussion
   For example[1], Canisius College computer users shall use computer and network facilities in a manner consistent with all applicable Canisius College handbooks and policies including the Harassment Policy and the Community Standards for Students. Canisius College computer users are subject to all applicable federal, state, and local law. Student web authors will ensure that their Web pages do not violate or directly link to pages that violate these policies.  Computer users who access external networks from Canisius College will comply with the appropriate guidelines for use of those networks. Any personal use of Canisius College computer and network services by Canisius College employees shall not interfere with their official responsibilities and shall not violate any Canisius College practice or policy. Use of Canisius computing facilities for commercial, for-profit activities or for viewing or exchanging pornography is prohibited.
   
   
2. Computer users shall access Canisius computing facilities only with an authorized username and password. 
   
   Discussion
   Computer users shall not send electronic mail messages, print files on shared printers, or access off-campus computing facilities without being properly “logged in” with an authorized username. Forgery or attempted forgery of electronic mail is prohibited. Computer users should protect their password as they would a cash card or credit card. Computer users should not share their username and password, and they should make sure that they properly “log out” of the computer when finished.
   
   
3. Computer users shall respect the privacy of others.
   
   Discussion
   Computer users shall not intentionally read the information in anyone else’s computer file(s), make copies of anyone else’s computer file(s), or write information back to anyone else’s computer file(s). Similarly, computer users shall not seek anyone else’s password or modify anyone else’s password. Canisius College computer users shall not use electronic mail, Internet chat, or other technological means to harass or threaten others.
   
   
4. Computer users shall respect the integrity of Canisius College computing systems and other computing systems available through the network.
   
   Discussion
   Computer users shall not develop or use programs, such as worms, viruses, trojan horses, and adware (collectively known as malware), that infiltrate a computing system at Canisius College or elsewhere, falsify the network identity of themselves or computer equipment, or damage software or computing equipment. Computer users will cooperate with directives from Information Technology Services to keep their systems up to date and use the tools provided by ITS to render malware harmless. Computer users shall not set up or operate computer servers without written authorization from Information Technology Services.   Computer users shall observe all rules and regulations established for the use of computer laboratories and similar facilities on campus.
   
   
5. Computer users shall respect the legal protection provided by copyright and use licenses.
   
   Discussion
   Computer users shall not make copies of a licensed computer program to avoid paying appropriate license fees. Users shall respect the copyright privileges of others on the Canisius College network and Internet. Canisius College computer users may make "Fair Use[2]" of copyrighted material, but they shall not otherwise download copyrighted material without the permission of the copyright holder. For example, users should be aware of copyright issues with respect to commercially available music or video. Unauthorized downloading of such material is usually prohibited by the copyright holder.
   
   
6. Computer users shall refrain from engaging in wasteful practices.
   
   Discussion
   Computer users shall not send chain letters through electronic mail, print multiple copies of files, or unnecessarily hold laboratory workstations when others are waiting for these resources. In particular, the playing of games, recreational use of chat programs such as Instant Messenger, downloading entertainment media, or using networks for purely recreational purposes when others need computer resources for instruction, research, or administrative service represent irresponsible use of Canisius College computer and network facilities.

III.  Additional Conditions for residential computer users
Users of the Canisius College Residence Hall Network (ResNet) are subject to the following additional conditions:

1. Only computers that have been registered for ResNet through the registration program may be connected to the network, and only one computer may be attached to each jack.  No hubs, hublets, wireless hubs, or similar signal splitting devices may be connected to ResNet.
   
   
2. ResNet services, equipment, wiring or jacks may not be altered nor extended beyond the location of their intended use.  For example, you may not provide Internet access to other users by using your networked computer as a bridge or gateway.
   
   
3. ResNet may not be used to provide access to the Internet by anyone not formally affiliated with the College, except by explicit written consent from College officials.
   
   
4. The College's networks are shared resources.  Excessive or improper use of network resources that inhibits or interferes with the use of these networks by others is not permitted.
   
   
5. Users who connect computers to ResNet that are used as servers have the additional responsibility to respond to any use of their server that is in violation of this Acceptable Use Policy.  
   
   
6. In no case shall the following types of servers be connected to ResNet:  DNS, DHCP, BOOTP, WINS, or any other server that manages network addresses.
   
   
7. Canisius College ITS shall have the sole authority to assign host names and network addresses to computers attached to ResNet.  Thus, users may not manually configure their computers to use a host name or network address that is not assigned to them by Canisius College ITS.
   
   
8. Canisius College ITS reserves the right to immediately disconnect any computer that is sending disruptive signals to the network as a whole, whether because of a defective cable, Ethernet card, or other hardware/software problem.  It will be the student's responsibility to correct any such problem before the computer can be again connected to ResNet.
   
   
9. Canisius College ITS reserves the right to immediately disconnect any computer temporarily for the purpose of network hardware troubleshooting, software troubleshooting, or security troubleshooting, and to enforce the Acceptable Use Policy.

IV. Privacy Not Guaranteed on College Network

The College’s communication systems are the property of the College and all communications are subject to review by appropriate and authorized College Personnel at any time. College Personnel should be aware that personal privacy in their use of the College’s communication systems or information sent to or from, or stored in, the College’s communication systems cannot be guaranteed in the event of legal or disciplinary proceedings.  Computer users should be aware that information may appear on system backups, and even the deletion of messages or files may not eliminate information from the system. Claims of copyright infringement of a work by its copyright holder will result in removal of offending materials from Canisius College computer systems under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Where it appears that the integrity, security or functionality of the College's computer or network resources are at risk or in instances of abuse of College policies, standards, or local, state or federal laws, Canisius College reserves the right to take whatever actions it deems necessary (including, but not limited to monitoring activity and viewing files) to investigate and resolve the situation. In such instances, a written report of the findings will be forwarded to the appropriate College officials[3]. In order to assure continuity for academic and administrative departments, similar procedures may be used after an employee is separated from Canisius or is no longer able to perform the required duties.

V. Disciplinary Action

In the event that computer users violate this policy, they shall be subject to disciplinary action, including

• A direction that such misuse cease and desist
• A direction that the project be more carefully supervised by a member of the Canisius staff
• A requirement that the user reimburse the College or pay for computer and network resources
• Denying the user access to computer and network resource(s) temporarily or permanently, and/or
• Other appropriate College disciplinary, criminal, or civil action.

Student questions about this policy should be directed to the Dean of Students at mangiont@canisius.edu. Others should contact Estelle Siener, Director of Academic Computing and User Services at siener@canisius.edu.


Approved September 26, 2001

Revised June 9, 2004 [JC1]

[1] Examples of use or misuse given in this and following sections are not meant to be exhaustive, but only to illustrate the policy. Portions of this policy have been adapted from other institutions of higher education including Georgetown University, Marquette University, and the University at Buffalo.

[2] Whether or not a given use is protected by this definition is based upon the following considerations:

1. the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;
2. the nature of the copyrighted work;
3. the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and
4. the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.

Usually, this entails using no more than 10% of a work (a poem, paper, or other document) and giving proper credit to the author or artist. There are usually greater restrictions for copies of works that are included as a regular part of a syllabus. For more information on copyright, see http://www2.canisius.edu/canhp/canlib/copyright.html. If in doubt, ask a librarian.

[3]  For students, the Dean of Students. For faculty, the appropriate Dean. For others, their department head.

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[JC1] for consistency with the Canisius College Standards of Ethical Conduct as well as recent network experience with malware.