Summary of
Policy on Acceptable Use of University Computing and Data Communications Facilities

This is a summary of the full policy document which can be found at:

http://www.ulster.ac.uk/isd/itus/docs/policies/Compositedoc.html

Summary		Policy
topics		Acceptable Use
		Unacceptable Use
		Disciplinary Action

Policy

The University provides its academic community with Internet access and electronic communications services required for the performance and fulfillment of academic pursuits and responsibilities. These services are primarily for the purposes of education, research or administration and should not be used without due care and respect or without appropriate authorisation.

Occasional and reasonable personal use of the University's Internet and e-mail services is permitted, provided that it does not unduly interfere with the performance of work or study. These services may be used outside of scheduled hours as long as such use is consistent with professional or academic conduct.

Users should not entertain an expectation of privacy while using university-owned or university-leased equipment, as information passing through or stored on university equipment can, and almost certainly will at sometime, be monitored in accordance with the regulations governing lawful business practice.

Every user must be duly authorised and registered. Unauthorised use is a statutory offence under terms of the Computer Misuse Act. All software installed on University computers must be properly registered and licensed. Use of unlicensed software is a violation of the Copyright, Design and Patents Act.

Users of electronic journals and databases made available through the Library are bound by the terms of the JISC Model Licence for Datasets and by the NESLi2 licence for electronic journals. Licences for some services may vary slightly from these, but in all cases users may not 'use all or any part of the Licensed Work for any Commercial Use or for any purpose other than Educational Purposes.'

Failure to adhere to the terms of these licences could result in access to any service, where the terms are so breached, being withdrawn from all University IT systems.

It should be borne in mind that unacceptable use can involve, as for example in the case of pornographic images, not merely offensive material, but also material the viewing of which constitutes a criminal offence. It is the responsibility of every user to take reasonable steps to ensure compliance with the published policies and with statutory legislation and to ensure that unacceptable use of facilities does not occur.

Acceptable Use

The University's computing and communications facilities may be used for any legal activity that is in furtherance of the aims and policies of the University and is not explicitly declared as unacceptable use. Details of acceptable uses may be viewed at the web reference given above, or on posters displayed in all open access computing areas.

Unacceptable Use

Unacceptable use includes, but is not limited to, the deliberate downloading, displaying, viewing, transmission or manipulation of offensive or obscene material. This would include obscene content or language which is vulgar, sexist, racist, threatening, violent, or defamatory. Unacceptable use also includes other activities: abusing the facilities in any way that seeks to obtain or disclose sensitive corporate or personal information without prior authorisation; transmission of unsolicited commercial or advertising material; gaming; deliberate infringement of copyright; wasting staff time; destruction of other users' data; denial of services to other users by introduction of computer viruses or overloading of access links; probing or scanning data networks for weaknesses with intent to misuse the networks or to pass on such information to others having malicious intent.

Disciplinary Action

Where necessary, services may be withdrawn from a user and disciplinary steps taken. Where violation of the conditions of use is unlawful, or results in loss or damage to University resources, or to the resources of a third party accessed via the University's network, the matter may be referred for legal action.