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University of Maryland
Guidelines for the Acceptable Use of Computing Resources
Primary Principles: Freedom of Expression and Personal
Responsibility
Freedom of expression and an open environment to
pursue scholarly inquiry and for sharing of information are encouraged,
supported, and protected at the University
of Maryland. These values lie at the core of our
academic community. Censorship is
not compatible with the tradition and goals of the University. While some computing resources may be
dedicated to specific research, teaching, or administrative tasks that
would limit their use, freedom of expression must, in general, be
protected. The University does not
limit access to information due to its content when it meets the standard
of legality. The University's policy
of freedom of expression applies to computing resources.
Concomitant with free expression are personal
obligations of each member of our community to use computing resources
responsibly, ethically, and in a manner which accords both with the law and
the rights of others. The campus
depends first upon a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation to create and
maintain an open community of responsible users.
General
These guidelines set forth standards for
responsible and acceptable use of University computing resources. They supplement existing University
policies, agreements, and state and federal laws and regulations. Computing resources include host computer
systems, University-sponsored computers and workstations, communications
networks, software, and files.
Computing resources are provided to support the
academic research, instructional, and administrative objectives of the University. These resources are extended for the sole
use of University faculty, staff, students, and other authorized users
("users") to accomplish tasks related to the user's status at the
University, and consistent with University's mission.
Users are responsible for safeguarding their
identification (ID) codes and passwords, and for using them for their
intended purposes only. Each user is
responsible for all transactions made under the authorization of his or her
ID, and for all network activity originating from his or her data jack.
Users are solely responsible for their personal use of computing resources
and are prohibited from representing or implying that the content
constitutes the views or policies of the University.
Violation of these guidelines constitutes
unacceptable use of computing resources, and may violate other University
policies and/or state and federal law.
Suspected or known violations should be reported to the appropriate
University computing unit.
Violations will be processed by the appropriate University
authorities and/or law enforcement agencies. Violations may result in
revocation of computing resource privileges, academic dishonesty or Honor
Council proceedings, faculty, staff or student disciplinary action, or
legal action.
User Responsibilities
The following provisions describe conduct
prohibited under these guidelines:
1.
Altering system software or hardware configurations without
authorization, or disrupting or interfering with the delivery or
administration of computing resources.
2.
Attempting to access or accessing another's account, private files,
or e-mail without the owner's permission; or misrepresenting oneself as
another individual in electronic communication.
3.
Installing, copying, distributing or using software in violation of:
copyright and/or software agreements; applicable state and federal laws; or
the principles described in Using Software, A Guide to the Ethical and
Legal
Use of Software for Members of the Academic
Community, available at www.inform.umd.edu/software-guide.
4.
Using computing resources to engage in conduct which interferes with
others' use of shared computing resources and/or the activities of other
users, including studying, teaching, research, and University administration.
5.
Using computing resources for commercial or profit-making purposes
without written authorization from the University.
6.
Failing to adhere to individual departmental or unit lab and system
policies, procedures, and protocols.
7.
Allowing access to computing resources by unauthorized users.
8.
Using computing resources for illegal activities. Criminal and illegal use may include
obscenity, child pornography, threats, harassment, copyright infringement,
defamation, theft, and unauthorized access.
Administration
The maintenance, operation, and security of
computing resources require responsible University personnel to monitor and
access the system. To the extent possible
in the electronic environment and in a public setting, a user's privacy
will be preserved. Nevertheless,
that privacy is subject to the Maryland Access to Public Records Act, other
applicable state and federal laws, and the needs of the University to meet
its administrative, business, and legal obligations.
August 1996, Revised July 1997
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