1. University computer systems and networks are provided for student use as part of the University academic program. Students are encouraged to become proficient in the use of computers as a means of enhancing their educational experience. However, widespread student use also necessitates certain rules of computer conduct. Computer misconduct can result in restrictions on or revocation of computer access privileges.
2. University computer systems and networks constitute an expensive and valuable resource. The capacity of this resource to fulfill all the legitimate academic and administrative needs of students, faculty, and staff is limited.
3. Student users have a responsibility to use University computer resources in an efficient, ethical, and lawful manner.
4. The University has a right and duty to protect its valuable computer resources and to restrict student access to uses that are strictly related to the students' academic programs, as well as reasonably limited in time. The University reserves the right to define what constitutes unauthorized student use.
5. The Chief Information Officer or designee(s) at each University in the CSCU System and at the System Office may monitor student accounts, files, and/or log-in sessions for appropriate management purposes. Such purposes include, but are not limited to, performing archival and recovery procedures, evaluating system performance, and ensuring system integrity and security.
6. Upon identifying a violation of this policy which constitutes an immediate, clear danger to the University computer systems or networks, the Chief Information Officer or designee(s) at each University and in the System Office may immediately limit or suspend a student's access to University computer resources with immediate notification of charges and actions to the appropriate Vice President of Student Affairs or designee(s). This emergency suspension of computer use will then follow the Student Conduct procedures for "Interim Suspension" as provided in the CSCU Student Rights and Responsibilities and Student Conduct Procedures document.
7. Violations of University computer policy that do not constitute an immediate, clear danger to the University computer systems or networks will be referred to the regular student disciplinary process.
8. Student computer offenses, which are included as number 25 in the Appendix of Punishable Offenses in the CSCU Student Rights and Responsibilities and Student Conduct Procedures document, are as follows:
*Unauthorized use of University computers and/or peripheral systems and networks;
*Unauthorized access to University computer programs or files;
*Unauthorized alteration or duplication of University computer programs or files;
Any deliberate action to disrupt the operation of University computer systems which serve other members of the University community, including all networks to which University computers are connected;
Use of University computer systems and networks for committing crimes; violating civil laws; or violating University rules.
9. UNAUTHORIZED USES for students include, but are not limited to, the following:
a. Computer games which are not assigned course work;
b. Development or transmitting of chain letters;
c. Entering or transmitting of commercial advertisements or solicitations;
d. Entering or transmitting of political campaign material relating to elections to be held outside the University;
e. Entering or transmitting of obscene material;
f. Sexual harassment or other forms of harassment aimed at others or otherwise threatening others;
g. Sharing one's own computer account with others or using another person's accounts;
h. Violation of copyright laws or using or copying software in ways that violate the terms of the license;
i. Entering or transmitting computer viruses or any form of intentionally destructive programs,
j. Intentional disruption of network services;
k. Connecting any device to the network without permission;
l. Copying, modifying, replacing, or deleting any other user's account or any software used for system management;
m. Harming University computer equipment;
n. Uses that violate rules developed at each University which is necessitated by facilities limitations or other circumstances unique to each University (see below).
Student Computer Use Rules Specific to Eastern Connecticut State University
1. Student access to computer accounts and other computer resources is restricted to currently registered Eastern Connecticut State University students.
2. Eastern Connecticut State University reserves the right to limit student access to computer resources for resource management purposes such as setting priorities on the use of computing facilities, establishing expiration dates for user accounts, and performing computer or network maintenance functions.
2 – Eastern Policy on Student Use of E-Mail
Article ID: 321
https://easternct.makekb.com/index.php?View=entry&EntryID=321
Student E-mail Accounts
At Eastern Connecticut State University, each student is issued a life-time University e-mail account for use not only throughout the time he/she is registered for classes at the University, but after graduation. This is the student's official Eastern e-mail address and is the address the University will use for all student-related electronic communications related to academic and University business. E-mail is a valuable mechanism and is the official form of communication by the University with students. The University will only correspond electronically to a student's Eastern e-mail account. Accordingly, students are expected to check their e-mail on a frequent and consistent basis to stay current with University-related communications. Students must also ensure that there is sufficient space in their accounts to allow for e-mail to be delivered and have the responsibility to recognize that certain communications may be time critical. The e-mail account is the Student Technology Account that will be used to access computers in the computer labs, Blackboard Learning Management System (LMS), and to connect to the network from the residence halls.
3 – Email as an Official Form of Correspondence
Article ID: 324
https://easternct.makekb.com/index.php?View=entry&EntryID=324
Background:
Effective August 1, 2009, an email will become an official form of correspondence within Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU). There is an expanding reliance on electronic communication among students, faculty members, and other employees throughout the CSCU motivated by the convenience, speed, cost-effectiveness, and environmental advantages of using email rather than printed communication. Because of this increasing reliance and acceptance of electronic communication, email will, from this point forward, be considered an official means for communication within the ConnSCU. Therefore, official notifications may be communicated via email.
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University and CSCU office use of email: E-mail is an official means for communication within the CSCU. Therefore, the universities and the System Office will send communications to students, faculty, and other employees via email and will expect that those communications will be received and read in a timely fashion.
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Redirecting of email: Faculty and staff members will not be allowed to enable automatic email redirection to another email address. Those persons who use manual email redirection from their official address to another email address (e.g., @aol.com, @hotmail.com) do so at their own risk. It is the responsibility of the individual faculty or staff member to take whatever steps may be necessary with his or her personal email account to allow for the receiving of email forwarded from the official CSCU email account. These steps may include, but are not necessarily limited to, adding the official email address to a 'safe-senders' list and/or adjustment of any spam filters. Redirecting email does not absolve anyone of any responsibilities associated with communications sent to his or her official email address. The University will not be responsible for the handling of email by outside email providers.
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Expectations regarding the use of email: It is recommended that faculty members check their email at least as often as their most frequent class meets, in recognition that certain communications may be time critical. Other employees should check their email regularly consistent with their work patterns.
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Educational uses of email: Faculty members may determine how an email will be used in their classes. It is strongly recommended that if faculty members have email requirements and expectations, they communicate such requirements to their students by specifying these requirements in their course syllabi.
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Appropriate use of email: In general, email is not appropriate for transmitting sensitive or confidential information unless an appropriate level of security matches its use for such purposes.
Forward all questions and comments to the undersigned. Thank you.
Tony Hayes
hayesto@easternct.edu
Chief Information Officer
Eastern Connecticut State University
