Information Technology Acceptable Use policy

Preamble

The computing and networking facilities of Durham College support instructional, research, public service and other intellectual pursuits by faculty, students and staff which are consistent with the college's mission.

Definitions

User:	Anyone who accesses or uses the college network or computers with or without a valid network identification, or uses a privately-owned computer while on campus or connected to the college network.
Information Technology:	Computers, networks, applications and technologies related to the digital transmission of information and media. This does not include telephones, television and generic Communication media.

Purpose

This policy is designed to guide faculty, students, and staff in the acceptable use of computer systems and networks provided by Durham College. The policy applies to all computing and networking resources connected to college facilities including those resources owned by Durham College and those other resources that have been authorized by Information Technology Services to be connected to college facilities.

Policy statement

1. Guiding principles

   Any individual who uses IT resources belonging to Durham College consents to all of the provisions of the following policy and agrees to comply with its terms and conditions, all other applicable college policies, regulations, procedures and rules.

   IT resources at Durham College and the on-campus electronic communication systems by which they are interconnected and accessed exist to support the research, instructional and administrative needs of the college. Use of these resources is a privilege, not a right.

   Common sense and mutual respect for other users underlie the responsibilities of IT resource users. Such use is required to be legal, ethical, and considerate of others.

   Users of IT resources are expected to abide by the following guidelines:

   • Comply with all Durham College policies, regulations, procedures and rules;
   • Respect the intellectual rights of others;
   • Practice the same level of etiquette in all communication using Durham College IT resources as expected in non-electronic communication;
   • Access files or data that belong only to you, are publicly available, or the owner of the data has given you permission to access them;
   • Comply with established security measures; and
   • Make reasonable use of resources.
2. Security
   1. General

      Users are expected to be aware of the security protocols of the computers and networks that they access and to adhere to these protocols. Users are individually accountable for their own actions and for all use of the resources assigned to them.

      Users have the responsibility to employ the security mechanisms and procedures that have been made available to them in order to protect their own data and the systems and networks they use and to not unduly limit resources to others.

      Users of Durham College IT resources are expected to comply with the following:

      1. Keeping passwords and other types of authorization secure;
      2. Being aware of computer viruses and other destructive computer programs, and taking steps to avoid being a victim or unwitting carrier.
   2. Electronic mail and other forms of electronic communication

Electronic communication represents a conversation between two (2) or more individuals. As such, Durham College will not attempt to monitor the content of such communications, nor will it examine the content without just cause and due process

Notwithstanding the foregoing, electronic communication does bear Durham College identifiers and users are expected to treat facilities in the same manner as they would use college letterhead. Users should make reasonable efforts to indicate when electronic communication is not being used in an official manner.

All users must utilize electronic communication in a manner that accurately identifies the sender and take reasonable care to ensure that it is directed to the correct recipient. The contents of the undeliverable communication will be held in confidence by computer administrators and postmasters.

3. Prohibited use

   Prohibited uses of Durham College IT resources include, but are not limited to, the following:

   • Uses that violate federal or provincial laws, or college bylaws and policies;
   • Use of college computing or network facilities in a manner that is not consistent with the mission of the college;
   • Use of computer services without authorization;
   • Sharing of passwords or other authorizations with any person or group;
   • Circumvention of computer security system;
   • Destruction or disabling of computer or network equipment;
   • Deletion or modification of information (including data, files and programs) or use of services belonging to other individuals without their express authorization;
   • Disruption to computing or network services;
   • Monitoring network transmissions without authorization;
   • Use of a college computer account without authorization;
   • Uses that violate the intended use of the IT resources, and other nonacademic activity;
   • Uses that violate the privacy of other users;
   • Uses that display or propagate materials (words or images) that are obscene, pornographic, fraudulent, abusive, racist, bigoted, harassing, or otherwise inappropriate and/or illegal;
   • Making unauthorized copies or intentional misuse of licensed software or copyrighted material;
   • Intentional use, distribution or creation of viruses, worms or other malicious software;
   • Initiating electronic messages to Durham College groups established as part of a broadcast restriction;
   • Masking the identity of a computer user, computer account or network address;
   • Reconfiguration of hardware or software not approved by faculty for academic purposes;
   • Violation of the official priorities for the use of peripherals, including printers;
   • Operating a business, usurping business opportunities, organized political activity, or conducting activity for personal gain; and
   • Implying that the user is representing, giving opinions, or otherwise making statements on behalf of the college without prior authorization, including use of Durham College trade names, logos or trademarks without prior written authorization.

Legal, human rights and equity implications

Durham College considers any violation of this policy to be a serious offence and reserves the right to copy and examine any files or information resident on college systems allegedly related to unacceptable use, and to protect its network from systems and events that threaten to degrade operations. Violators are subject to disciplinary action as prescribed in Durham College bylaws and policies and by the Director of Student Rights and Responsibilities. Offenders may also be prosecuted under federal, provincial and municipal laws, regulations and bylaws.