Policy on use of computers and networks

Tulane University maintains a computing system for the academic and administrative use of faculty, staff and students. The University strives to provide a robust, resilient and reliable information technology infrastructure to enable excellence in scholarship and education through the effective and innovative use of computers and information technology.

The Tulane computing systems and network are resources provided for all members of the Tulane community. Because computing and network resources are shared, individuals should use the systems responsibly in pursuit of academic and administrative functions, and in doing so, are not to infringe on the rights, integrity or privacy of others or their data. In using the computing systems and network, individuals and groups must abide by standards of lawful and ethical behavior. 

User obligations

Use of the Tulane computing systems and network is a privilege which carries numerous obligations. By using Tulane's computing systems and network, you agree to abide by the following User Obligations:

• Responsible and lawful conduct. By using Tulane's computing systems and network, you agree that information you post on or distribute through the systems or network contains: no obscene or indecent material; no advertising material or promotional material promoting products or services; no material which constitutes libel, slander or invasion of privacy or publicity rights; no violation of copyrights or trademarks; no incitement to riot or violence; and no violation of federal, state or local law.

• Respect for Tulane's computing systems and network administration. You agree to use the systems and network in a way which promotes Tulane's academic mission. Accordingly, you acknowledge and consent that, when it is necessary to perform systems administration, or, in order to protect Tulane's legal interests, network administrators may access your files and data on the Tulane computing systems and network. In addition, you consent to monitoring and review of your user id, user activity, files and data on the Tulane systems and network, as well as Tulane's right to "freeze" or remove access to any files or data which Tulane reasonably believes violates User Obligations.

• Responsible use of computing and networking. You agree not to obstruct any others' work by using unnecessarily large amounts of system resources (such as disk space, output devices, CPU time, and network bandwidth) or deliberately causing any machine to crash or shut down. Being aware of the finite capacity of systems, you agree to limit your own use so as not to interfere unreasonably with the activity of other users.

• Respect for others' resources. Data, software and computer capacity have value that must be respected, and this value must be respected and preserved by each and every individual user. You agree not to give away your userid and password, for any reason, or under any circumstances. You agree not to use someone else's account, either with or without permission. Individual accounts cannot be transferred to or used by another individual. You also agree that attempts to gain access to any account not belonging to you or to a system on which you are not an authorized user will be treated as a violation of University policy, and your computing privileges may be revoked.

• Responsible use of bandwidth.  Tulane University is committed to providing adequate network capacity for the academic and administrative computing needs of the University community. As desktop computers and servers have become a part of everyday life on campus, the volume of information transmitted through the Tulane network has grown significantly.  The growth in network use has increased the need for responsible use of the network resources, as excessive network traffic can interfere with the academic and administrative functions of the University.  We ask that members of the Tulane University community employ good judgment in the use of the network.  If the network is hindered by servers or computers using excessive bandwidth, those machines will be disconnected.

• Respect for copyright. Distribution of copyrighted material is a violation of federal law. In accordance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, the University, once notified of alleged copyright violations, will disconnect from the network the server or computer of the individual(s) involved. The individual who is distributing the copyrighted materials is responsible for any copyright infringement.  Please see Reporting copyright infringement  for details on reporting copyright infringement. 

• Respect for system security. It is your responsibility to protect the integrity and security of the data in your account. You, and you alone, accept responsibility for all matters pertaining to the proper use of your account; this includes choosing safe passwords and ensuring that file protections are set correctly.

• Respect for the ownership of proprietary software. You agree not to make unauthorized copies of licensed software, even when that software is not physically protected against copying.

You are given access to Tulane University's computing systems and network because they are tools to help you meet your academic goals. This access, however, is a privilege, not a right. Preventing others from fulfilling their academic or business-related goals by using the system irresponsibly is not permitted.

Examples of usage that could result in disciplinary action include, but are not limited to:

• Using computing or network resources for the purpose of harassing another individual or group
• Using computing or network resources for a commercial purpose
• Sending electronic chain mail or mass unsolicited mail
• Maintaining a server that contains files for which you do not have proper permission to store or redistribute
• Altering e-mail or Usenet headers to hide the identity of the sender/poster or to attribute the e-mail or posting to someone other than the sender/poster
• Playing games on the network or shared computing resources for non-academic purposes
• Using talk, write or IRC (inter-relay chat) resources for non-academic purposes or in an abusive or frivolous manner
• Posting non-academic and/or inappropriate material to Usenet or a Web site
• Using large amounts of disk space to store files not related to your academic pursuits
• Executing programs which have no useful purpose, thus taxing the system’s resources
• Attempting to gain access to any computing, network, academic or business resources which you are not authorized to use

Tulane University will hold responsible the owner of any account through which security violations or irresponsible use occurs. Tulane also reserves the right to withhold computing privileges from those who do not abide by the letter or intent of this policy document. Violations of this policy by students shall be treated as violations of the Code of Student Conduct and will be referred to the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs for handling. Faculty and staff members who violate this policy will be subject to University disciplinary action.

 Revised May 2000