This policy describes Pacific Union College (PUC)'s guidelines with regard to access to and disclosure of Internet usage by PUC users. PUC respects the individual privacy of its users; however, user privacy does not extend to the user's use of the PUC provided computer resources. You should be aware that the following guidelines will affect your privacy while utilizing the system.
The computer resources have been installed by PUC to facilitate college-related academic communications and research. Although each user may have an individual password to access the system, the system itself belongs to PUC and the contents of any and all Internet usage are accessible at all times by PUC.
The system may be subject to periodic unannounced inspections and should be treated like any other shared filing system. The contents or records of Internet usage, properly obtained for legitimate purposes may be disclosed without your permission. You should not assume that messages are confidential. Back-up copies of any file on the system may be maintained and referenced for business and/or legal reasons and are not confidential. PUC can and will block web addresses at the discretion of the administration. Further, PUC can and will record web sites accessed or hit by users.
Any downloading, distributing, copying or sharing of copyrighted or proprietary material is illegal without the written authorization of the owner of the rights (17 USC 204(a)). If you are sharing, downloading, or receiving copyrighted materials such as music, video, television programs or software without written authorization of the owner of the rights, please immediately stop this to avoid legal penalties including fines of thousands of dollars from the RIAA and MPAA. Please note that downloading copyrighted materials is not anonymous and your computer can be tracked down.
PUC provides computing resources to assist you at PUC; you should use it for academic purposes only. Incidental and occasional personal use of the Internet is permitted by PUC. PUC reserves the right to access and disclose as necessary, all records of Internet usage sent over its system. Since your Internet usage can be accessed by PUC without prior notice, you should not use the system in any way you would not want to be published. You should not use these systems for purposes such as soliciting or advertising for commercial ventures, religious or personal causes, or outside organizations, or other similar non-academic related solicitations. If PUC discovers you are misusing the network, you may be subject to disciplinary action, including, but not limited to, termination of computer privileges.
You may not use PUC's computer system in any way that may be seen as insulting, disruptive, harassing, or offensive. Use of the PUC system in violation of this guideline will result in immediate disciplinary action, including, but not limited to, termination of privileges.
Privacy Users are notified that the network administrators, system operators, or the administration may and will access the system and any files located thereon, including email or data files, in order to monitor the activity on the PUC owned network. This system is to be used for academic and administrative purposes only and while using the system there is no confidential and/or private messages or usage. Any file, or activity on the system can and will be subject to inspection by the administration.
Please recognize that any activity in the PUC computing resources is not confidential. The system administrators or other College employees can and will access user files at any time. User files may also be subject to search by law enforcement agencies under court order. All computer usage, including, but not limited to, e-mail, word processing, or Internet usage is subject to monitoring and recording. Any website that is hit from a computer attached to the PUC computer network will generate a record of which site was hit.
The following activities are authorized and encouraged:
The following activities are prohibited:
1. Engaging in false, misleading, anonymous, or offensive communications with others on the network;
2. Display, access, download or upload obscene, lewd, sexually harassing or pornographic materials or content;
3. Use of "chat" or "talk" rooms excessively on-line;
4. Knowingly or carelessly running, or installing on any computer system, or network, or give to another user, a program intended to damage, or place excessive load on a computer system or network. This includes programs with viruses;
5. Use of the network for over a period of three (3) hours at a time;
6. Remain on-line when not in use.
7. Permit others to write in your file space;
8. Participate in or involvement with software piracy;
9. Use someone else's computer account or allow others to use your account. (You are responsible for all activity performed on your computer.);
10. Use PUC's computer resources to gain unauthorized access to other computer systems;
11. Connect unauthorized equipment to the PUC network;
12. Attempt to bypass data protection schemes or uncover security loopholes;
13. Knowingly or carelessly performing an act that will interfere with the normal operation of the computers, terminals, peripherals, or other network equipment;
14. Deliberately waste computer resources by printing unnecessary copies of a document;
15. Use e-mail to harass or threaten others. (This includes sending repeated or unwanted e-mail to another user.)
16. Initiate or advance electronic chain letters;
17. Send inappropriate mass mailings. (i.e., no spamming)
18. Forge the identity of a user or machine in any electronic communication;
19. Transmit or reproduce materials that are slanderous, or defamatory in nature, or that otherwise violate existing laws or College regulations.
20. Monitor or tamper with another user's communications, i.e., reading, copying, changing, or deleting other user's files or software without explicit written agreement of the owner.
21. Conduct private business using the computing resources of PUC.
Minor infractions of the policy, when accidental, or unintended, will generally be resolved informally by the Information Technology Systems and Services management. Repeated minor infractions or serious misconduct may result in the loss of system access. Additionally, any misuse may be prosecuted under applicable laws. Users may also be held accountable under applicable College policies. Any offense which violates local, state, or federal laws may result in the immediate loss of college computing resource privileges and will be referred to appropriate College offices or law enforcement authorities.
By my use of any PUC computing facilities, I agree to abide by the stated guidelines and policies.
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