MONTANA
BOARD OF REGENTS OF HIGHER EDUCATION
Policy and Procedures Manual
SUBJECT: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Policy 1304.1 - User
Responsibilities - Students
Effective May 24, 2002; Issued
June 10, 2002
SCOPE
This policy applies to all MUS students using MUS-owned or managed computing
and information resources for student purposes. In this policy "user"
refers to student user, as distinct from any role the individual may also have
as an employee (Policy 1303.1) or patron (Policy 1305.1).
REQUIREMENTS
Each user of the Montana University System's computing and information resources
should realize the fundamental importance of information resources and recognize
his/her responsibility for the safekeeping of those resources. Users and system
administrators must guard against abuses that disrupt or threaten the viability
of all systems, including those connected to the MUS telecommunication network,
the State telecommunication network, and other telecommunication networks to
which MUS systems are connected.
Each user is responsible for having knowledge of MUS policies concerning security,
privacy, and acceptable computing practices. Each user of MUS computing and
information resources must act responsibly. Each user is responsible for the
integrity of these resources. Each user of MUS-owned or managed computing systems
must be knowledgeable of and adhere to MUS policies, respect the rights of other
users by minimizing unnecessary network traffic that might interfere with the
ability of others to make effective use of shared resources, respect the integrity
of the physical facilities and controls, and obey all pertinent federal, state,
county, and local laws and ordinances. Each user must abide by these policies,
laws, and contractual obligations, and adhere to appropriate ethical standards.
MUS information technology resources should never be used for students' private, commercial purposes. Students should never, without explicit permission, modify or install software on MUS computers; attach unauthorized hardware or otherwise modify the MUS network in any manner; modify, delete, or in any way access data on another MUS user's account without explicit permission; or engage in any activity prohibited by local campus policies.
In that regard, each campus must clearly identify what MUS information technology resources are available for use by its students, and clearly identify those activities that are and are not appropriate for each resource. This includes but is not limited to use of resources such as e-mail systems, internal and external network facilities, student-accessible computer labs, and accounts on MUS-owned or operated computer systems. If a campus provides special services to residents of its university-provided housing, it must clearly identify what special services are provided and what activities are and are not appropriate in the use of those services by residents.
ENSURING COMPLIANCE
It is the responsibility
of the Student Affairs Office on each campus to ensure that all students are
aware of MUS policies and procedures concerning the use of MUS computing and
information technology resources, understand them, and comply with them. In
the case of special services provided to residents of university-provided housing,
it is the responsibility of the campus housing operation unit to ensure that
residents are aware of and comply with separate policies that govern the use
of special services available only to housing residents.
REPORTING AND DISCIPLINARY ACTION
Users of MUS information technology resources must cooperate with requests from
system administrators for information about computing activities; follow MUS
procedures and guidelines in handling diskettes and external files in order
to maintain a secure, virus-free computing environment; follow MUS procedures
and guidelines for backing up data and making sure that critical data are saved
to an appropriate location; and honor the Acceptable Use Policies of any MUS
or non-MUS networks they access through MUS facilities.
Users must report acceptable use violations and other security violations to
their immediate supervisors, to local personnel responsible for local network
policy enforcement, or to personnel responsible for the enforcement of the policies
pertinent to the violation.
Misuse of MUS computing or information resources will result in disciplinary
action appropriate to and consistent with BOR policies and the campus Student
Conduct Code.
GUIDELINES: RECOMMENDATIONS, NOT REQUIREMENTS
History:
Item 114-104-R0102,
User Responsibilities - Students, approved by the Board of Regents on May 24,
2002.
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