Hofstra University Computer Networks Acceptable Use Guidelines

NOTE - These guidelines are a subset of the full guidelines available at:

http://www.hofstra.edu/scs/aug

Hofstra University is pleased to provide you with an account to access Hofstra University's computing and information facilities.  Your access to the University's computing and information facilities is granted subject to local, state and federal laws and the University Judicial Code.

These guidelines are designed to promote legal, ethical and academic honesty and encourage appropriate use of these shared resources.  Adherence to these guidelines demonstrates respect for the laws of intellectual property, ownership of data, system security mechanisms, and for an individual's right to privacy and freedom from intimidation, harassment and unwarranted annoyance.

Hofstra University expects you to exercise responsible, ethical behavior according to these guidelines when using its computing facilities.  Access to Hofstra University Computing and information facilities is granted as long as these guidelines are followed.  By connecting and/or logging into the Hofstra University network and computing facilities, the user agrees to the terms and conditions of these Acceptable Use Guidelines as outlined below.

COMPUTING NETWORKS ACCEPTABLE USE GUIDELINES

Access and use of computing and networking resources at Hofstra University are privileges extended to members of the Hofstra community. Access to Hofstra computing and networking resources is limited to authorized users and is for approved purposes only.  "Authorized users" is defined as "any member of the Hofstra community who is issued a Hofstra ID card, and UCCE faculty and students”.

Registered students have individual accounts that can be used in any of the open access lab facilities and are also provided with access to Internet and e-mail resources from the dormitories.

Hofstra University computing resources include computer hardware and software, computer- based files and data, and the campus-wide data network, and all networks reached via this campus wide network, such as the Internet. Approved purposes are those consistent with both the broad instructional, administrative and research mission of Hofstra University and the user's relationship with the University.

Hofstra University's Computer Center provides data network services [known as the HOFSTRA NETWORK] for all organizations within the University.  The Computer Center provides centralized computer-related services for instruction, administration and research. Other Hofstra schools and departments may have specialized computer resources for the use of their department and/or academic discipline.

Each holder of a Hofstra Network account, or of any school or departmental account permitting network access such as UCCE, has the responsibility to use resources referred to above in an ethical and legal manner and agrees as to the following as a condition for use of the account:

I understand that my access to Hofstra’s computing resources is for the sole purpose of facilitating my work as a University student.

• I will respect the privacy and reasonable preferences of other users (both at Hofstra and elsewhere on all connected networks), including the privacy of their accounts and data.
  
  
• I will respect the integrity and security of the systems and network, and will exercise care to maintain their security.
  
  
• I understand that computer accounts are for sole use by the account owner, and I will not share my account with other individuals or use an account assigned to another individual.
  
  
• I will take precautions to safeguard passwords and other privileged information to which I have been given access. Any passwords, verification codes or electronic signature codes assigned to me are for my individual use only. I will regard them as personal identifiers of my computer use, similar to my signature on a document.
  
  
• I understand that I am responsible for all actions performed from my computer account.
  
  
• I will not attempt to monitor other individuals' computer or network use, nor will I attempt to obtain their passwords or any other private information.
  
  
• I understand that, in the course of my work, I may be given, or otherwise gain, access to confidential or privileged information relating to this or other institutions, or to Hofstra students, employees, or other individuals or groups. I will respect the confidentiality of all information to which I have access, neither divulging confidential information without appropriate consent nor seeking to obtain access to confidential information to which I am not entitled.
  
  
• I will not make unauthorized copies of software, or perform unauthorized installations of software or reconfigurations of systems. And any receipt, transmission, use or destruction of software or data must observe US copyright laws, and licenses restrictions.
  
  
• I understand that accessing, altering or destroying any document, file or University records that I do not own or have rights to, is a violation of these policies.
  
  
• I understand that my use of computing resources accessed via the Hofstra Network – whether provided by organizations within or outside the University - may be subject to additional norms of behavior or regulations specific to the resource, which I agree to follow.
  
  
• I understand that my account is intended for the pursuit of my educational goals. I may not use the Hofstra University computer resources to solicit sales, conduct business or advertise or sell a service or use the system for any illegal activities.  This applies to the use or application of any University resources, such as, but is not limited to, Internet access or e-mail through my personal computer.
  
  
• I understand that the Hofstra Computer Center must authorize connecting a personal computer or device to the Hofstra University Network.
  
  
• I may not engage in activities which damage or disrupt communications, hardware devices or software applications, such as but not limited to, virus creation and propagation, circumventing system protection mechanisms,  playing games in the labs and/or overloading the network with excessive data.
  
  
• I understand that as a matter of routine maintenance, use of Hofstra computer systems and Hofstra Network is monitored and recorded by authorized University staff members in order to safeguard the security and smooth operation of these resources. The University reserves the right to disconnect individual machines or sub-networks of HOFSTRA NETWORK in order to preserve the smooth functioning and security of the network as a whole.

POLICY VIOLATIONS

Violators of the policies outlined in this document and those listed at the Hofstra University Acceptable Use for Computing Policy web site may find their network access disabled, with no prior warning, until a full investigation is completed or sufficient safeguards have been put into place to ensure that no further violations take place.

It is the responsibility of all network users to accept full responsibility for the use of their accounts and machines, and to preserve their sole individual use of their accounts by not sharing them with other individuals, by maintaining secret passwords, by changing

passwords frequently, and by selecting passwords which are difficult to guess or decrypt.

Disclaimer:

Hofstra University is not responsible for any loss of data, damage to hardware or software on your personal systems at home or in the residence halls.

Hofstra University believes in the user's rights to privacy, however when there is sufficient evidence of wrong doings, the University reserves the right to examine and impound any files, information or computer system(s) resident or attached to the Hofstra University network.

All persons accessing Hofstra University computing resources will be held accountable for their conduct.   Conduct which involves the use of University resources in an inappropriate manner or which violates another person's rights may result in revocation of computing usage privileges and is subject to University disciplinary action as outlined in the University's policies and Judicial Code as outlined in the Guide to Pride.  Such conduct may also be subject to criminal or civil legal action. 

Any abuse or violation of the rules outlined here (or of other rules and practices governing the use of computer networks to which Hofstra is attached) will lead to:

account suspension and immediate review, with the possibility of account revocation; further disciplinary action in accordance with Hofstra University rules and procedures; and referral to local, state and federal law enforcement authorities.

These privileges and further clarifications are continuously reviewed and amended.  Please refer to www.hofstra.edu and link to Student Computing Services Policies.