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