Appropriate Use of Information Systems

GENERAL PRINCIPLES

Access to computer systems and networks owned or operated by the Department of
Mathematics & Statistics, College of Science and Math at the University of
South Carolina imposes certain responsibilities and obligations and is
granted subject to Department and University policies, and local, state,
and federal laws.  Appropriate use always is ethical, reflects academic
honesty, and shows restraint in the consumption of shared resources.  
It demonstrates respect for intellectual property, ownership of data, 
system security mechanisms, and individuals' rights to privacy and to 
freedom from intimidation, harassment, and unwarranted annoyance.
 

GUIDELINES

In making acceptable use of resources you must:
 
  use resources only for authorized purposes.

  protect your user-id from unauthorized use.  You are responsible for all
  activities on your user-id or system.

  access only files and data that are your own, that are publicly available,
  or to which you have been given authorized access.

  use only legal versions of copyrighted software in compliance with vendor
  license requirements.

  be considerate in your use of shared resources.  Refrain from monopolizing
  systems, overloading networks with excessive data, or wasting computer time,
  connect time, disk space, printer paper, manuals, or other resources.

  when accessing remote sites, adhere to these policies and the
  policies of the remote site.
 

In making acceptable use of resources you must NOT:

  use another person's user-id, password, files, system or data.  Faculty can
  authorize group accounts for communal use.

  use computer programs to decode passwords or access control information.
  attempt to circumvent or subvert system security measures.

  engage in any activity that might be harmful to systems or to any
  information stored thereon, such as creating or propagating viruses,
  disrupting services, or damaging files.

  use Department systems for partisan political purposes, such as using
  electronic mail to circulate advertising for political candidates.

  make or use illegal copies of copyrighted software, store such copies on
  Department systems, or transmit them over Department networks.

  use mail or messaging services to harass, intimidate, or otherwise annoy
  another person, for example, by broadcasting unsolicited messages, such
  as chain letters, or sending unwanted mail.

  waste computing resources, for example, by intentionally placing a program
  in an endless loop or by printing excessive amounts of paper.

  use the Department's systems for personal gain, for example, by selling
  access to your user-id or by performing work for profit in a manner not
  authorized by the Department.

  engage in any other activity that does not comply with the General
  Principles presented above.


ENFORCEMENT

The Department considers any violation of appropriate use principles or
guidelines to be a serious offense and reserves the right to copy and
examine any files or information resident on Department systems allegedly
related to inappropriate use. Any violation will result in immediate
loss of computer accounts. Violators are also subject to disciplinary action
as prescribed in the honor codes and the student and employee handbooks.
Offenders may be prosecuted under local, state, and federal laws.