West Virginia University at Parkersburg Board of Governors

 

POLICY E-57

APPROPRIATE USE OF COMPUTER RESOURCES

 

 

Section 1.   General

 

1.1              Scope.

 

1.1.1       This rule sets forth the West Virginia University at Parkersburg Board of Governors’ Policy regarding the appropriate use of computer resources and applies to all WVU at Parkersburg staff, faculty, administrators, officers and students (collectively, “users”), including those at the Jackson County Center and other off-campus instructional sites.

1.1.2       If any provision of this policy is ruled invalid under law, it shall be deemed modified or omitted solely to the extent necessary to come into compliance with said law, and the remainder of the policy shall continue in full force and effect.

1.1.3       The use of any college computing resource constitutes acceptance of this policy.

1.2          Authority: W.Va. Code § 18B-1-6; § 61-3C (The West Virginia Computer Crime and Abuse Act); 5 U.S.C. § 552a (Privacy Act of 1974); 18 U.S.C. § 1030 (The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986); 18 U.S.C. § 2314 (National Stolen Property Act); 18 U.S.C. § 2510 (Electronic Communications Privacy Act)

1.3          Effective Date:  July 5, 2011

Section 2.  Purpose

2.1          This campus policy outlines the application of the principles that govern the college community in the appropriate use of college computer and information network resources. It demonstrates respect for intellectual property, ownership of data, system security mechanisms, individuals' rights to privacy, and freedom from harassment. Computing and networking resources include: computers, computer networks, connections to external computer networks, and subscriptions to external computer services.  Open access to these resources is a privilege. It requires individual computer users to act responsibly, conserve computer resources, and consider the rights and privacy of others. Use of any college computing resource constitutes acceptance of this policy.

Section 3.  Policy

3.1          West Virginia University at Parkersburg computer resources are provided primarily for the use of students, faculty and staff. They are intended to be used for administrative and educational purposes and to carry out legitimate college business. In addition, access to the network may be provided to alumni and members of the local community for the purpose of communicating with students and employees and for accessing WVU Parkersburg information resources and the internet.

Section 4.  Guidelines for Appropriate Use of Resources

4.1          Guidelines for appropriate computer use, as approved by the President, shall comply with all applicable laws, rules, policies, contracts, and licenses. Such guidelines shall prohibit inappropriate use of computer resources, including but not limited to the following:

a.      Interference or impairment to the activities of others

b.      Unauthorized access and use of the resources of others

c.       Damage or impairment of college resources

d.      Unauthorized commercial activities

e.      Violation of city, state or federal laws