CODE OF CONDUCT FOR USE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

This policy applies to all data, voice, video systems and networks (including hardware, software, and data) owned or operated by Mercyhurst College as well as to outside systems and networks to which Mercyhurst College is connected. The systems range from multi-user systems to single-user devices such as computers and telephones, whether freestanding or connected to networks.

The information technology systems and networks at Mercyhurst College are intended to be used in a manner that supports the educational mission of the college and is conducive to the overall academic climate. Because electronic information is easily reproduced, respect for authorial integrity is essential. Violations of such integrity such as plagiarism, unauthorized access, copyright violations and invasion of privacy will not be tolerated.

Accounts and Passwords

Mercyhurst College creates accounts on its systems for current employees and currently registered students. To be granted the use of an account, users must agree to abide by the rules and regulations related to appropriate, legal, and ethical use of Mercyhurst College systems and networks.

Students and employees are assigned an individual login ID or authorization code and must not share that access code or password with any other person. Users are responsible for any and all usage of their assigned IDs on the systems or networks. Passwords should be changed regularly.

Acceptable Use

Mercyhurst College systems and networks are vital to the programs of instruction, research, and administration of the College; therefore, a framework of responsible, considerate and ethical behavior applies to use of campus computers, network resources, and access through the college resources to other networks. Since users in fact represent Mercyhurst College, they are expected to apply standards of normal academic and professional ethics and considerate conduct in the economical use of all Mercyhurst College systems and resources. In addition, users are expected to be aware that their use of the systems and networks is subject to all applicable College regulations, Internet regulations, and federal, local, and international laws.

Users are prohibited from using systems and networks to conduct various activities including, but not limited to, the following:

• Access or use without explicit authorization accounts, information, systems or networks at Mercyhurst or at other sites accessible from Mercyhurst's networks
• Interfering with or disrupting network users, service or equipment. Disruptions include, but are not limited to, distribution of unsolicited advertising, propagation of computer worms and viruses, personal or non-academic uses which negatively impact academic use, and use of the network to make unauthorized entry to any other machines accessible via the network.
• Inspect, copy, transmit, distribute or disclose any proprietary or confidential information or data, including that pertaining to Mercyhurst College's students, employees, vendors, donors, and alumni; this applies to both print and electronic formats
• Copy or distribute or transmit intellectual property without explicit permission of the owner; intellectual property includes text, video, audio, software programs, and data.
• Create, access, copy, transmit or distribute obscene or pornographic materials or materials contrary to the College's mission and vision.
• Harass, threaten, stalk, or abuse others
• Conduct business unrelated to the College or excessively use resources for personal reasons; such use includes, but is not limited to sending storing personal files on computer systems; printing output for personal projects without permission; using College-owned computers for extended periods to send personal e-mail or to browse the web

Because materials posted or transmitted on the Internet are identified as coming from Mercyhurst College computer systems, any unofficial material such as student or faculty webpages must include a disclaimer stating that the information does not necessarily represent the views of Mercyhurst College.

Antivirus software should be run every time a computer starts up, a portable storage device (flashdrive, DVD, CD) is used, or a file is downloaded from the Internet or another computer.

The privacy of electronic mail or voice mail is in general respected, but not guaranteed.

Violations of the above guidelines can result in the loss of account privileges.

Copyright infringement

Claims of copyright infringement must be submitted in writing to the College's designated Copyright Officer, Darci Jones, Director of Libraries. Claims will be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Repeated copyright infringement will result in the loss of account privileges.

revised 05/08