Appendix C:

Acceptable Computer Use Policy for Students

Note: These policies are subject to change. The user is responsible for reviewing the latest policies on the web site of the Office of Information Technology at www.drake.edu/it. Any new policy takes effect the day it is posted.


Purpose

It is the intent of Drake University to provide a quality technological environment for the University community in which certain standards are observed. Use of University technology resources is a privilege and not a right. Therefore, use of such resources is contingent upon compliance with University policies and standards and all governing federal, state and local laws and regulations. All Drake University students are responsible for reading, understanding and complying with these policies.

To see the list of technology resources and services available to students, go to www.drake.edu/it/ and select “Students.”

Requirements for use of University technology resources

Students must:

  1. Comply with the policies shown on the OIT web site. These include :
    • Acceptable Use of Drake's Information Technology Resources
    • Acceptable Use Policy for the Iowa Communications Network (ICN)
    • File-Sharing Policy
    • Student Email Policy
    • Web Site Policies and Procedures and such other policies as may be added.
  2. Understand and agree that use of Drake University technology resources indicates acceptance of these policies.
  3. Understand that the use of a personally-owned computer that is on the Drake network obligates the owner to comply with these policies.
  4. Obtain necessary accounts and passwords and be responsible for maintaining the security of all accounts and passwords.
  5. Understand University computer facilities and electronic classrooms are established for educational purposes and those purposes must take priority.

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Acceptable Use of Drake’s Technology Resources

The purpose of Drake University’s Information Technology resources is to support education, research and communication. The following activities are acceptable uses of Drake’s information technology environment:


  1. Instructional use in Drake University classes and class assignments
  2. Student Research
  3. Official work of recognized student and campus organizations, and agencies of the University
  4. Electronic communication that supports instruction, research, or official work of students, faculty, administration, and staff

Personal use by authorized users that does not interrupt or diminish access to resources for other users and does not violate any applicable law, regulation or University policy.

It is a violation of the Drake University Acceptable Use Policy to engage in any of the following behaviors:

  1. Violate computer software license agreements, whether licensed to the University or to the individual.
  2. Violate Copyright Law in any manner, including, but not limited to, downloading copyrighted audio, video, graphics or text materials from the Internet without proof of proper licensing arrangements.
  3. Use another person’s account or PIN or give your password, PIN or identification to another person for the purpose of gaining access to a University-owned computer, network or database resource. This includes, but is not limited to, unauthorized use of an account, use of an account for a purpose for which it was not intended or use of another person’s email address. Changing another person’s password may be considered harassment. Users are responsible for safeguarding their identifications and passwords. Each user is responsible for all transactions made under the authorization of his or her ID and password.
  4. Access a file on a University-owned computer or network without the permission of the owner, to copy, rename, modify, or examine it, or to change file protection or visibility. Lack of protection on a file does not imply right of access.
  5. Interrupt or inhibit the access of others to Drake University technology resources by actions such as distributing computer viruses, worms, or bulk email. This includes any other procedures that interfere in any way with the information technology resources available to a user. Current virus-scanning software is required for all student computers.
  6. Operate a University-owned computer in a manner that is otherwise wasteful of any computing or network resource.
  7. Gain access to Drake University technology resources when one is no longer an eligible user.
  8. Display text or graphic files that reasonably may be considered offensive or which are illegal under obscenity statutes, such as federal law (47 U.S.C. sec. 223(d)) or Iowa law (Iowa Code sec. 728.4). As potential consumers of these materials, users are expected to exercise proper judgment and sensitivity as to how and where these materials are displayed. Users should not be subjected to sexually explicit material, hate literature, or other offensive displays.
  9. Employ a computer to annoy or harass other users; for example, to send obscene, abusive, or threatening mail or email.
  10. Use a computer to violate the principles of academic honesty.
  11. Misuse information accessed while performing work as a Drake University employee. Information stored on administrative computers and microcomputers is confidential. Use or distribution of such information other than as authorized or assigned is prohibited by University policy and state and federal laws.
  12. Access or attempt to access any of the University’s administrative systems and records unless explicit permission has been granted by the Data Owner or their designee; read, delete or in any way modify any such data without explicit permission; distribute, publish or in any way make known any such data to unauthorized persons.
  13. Use University-owned computer resources for commercial work except as permitted by faculty and staff handbooks and licensing agreements.
  14. Tamper with terminals, microcomputers, printers or any other associated University-owned equipment. Remove, without authorization, computer equipment, disks, paper documentation, data or other technology resources.
  15. Connect any device, other than a computer or printer (e.g., game console, network hub or router, etc.) to Drake’s computer network.

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Consequences of failing to follow Drake’s Acceptable Use Policy

Failure to follow the terms and conditions set forth in this Policy constitutes an offense. As with all matters of law and ethics, ignorance of the laws and rules does not constitute a defense nor excuse violations.

Users learning of suspected policy violations by students should notify the Dean of Students’ Office.

  1. A violation of the terms and conditions of this Policy may result in immediate denial of computer/network access or service and/or penalties that range from the loss of computing privileges to suspension or expulsion from the University.
  2. In the case of student violations involving the University administrative systems and data, the Dean of Students will consult with the Data Owner concerned regarding the severity and impact of any proven violation.
  3. Students who commit violations while acting as Drake employees may be subject to both administrative and student penalties. Depending on the severity of the offence, penalties may include termination for employment and expulsion.
  4. Policy violators are liable for any monetary payment or damages and may also be subject to civil or criminal prosecution under state and federal laws and regulations.
  5. The Office of Information Technology will not provide support to users who fail to follow the Acceptable Use Policy.

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Privacy and compliance with state and federal law

Drake University seeks to protect computer-based information, recognized as a primary administrative, educational and research asset, from accidental or intentional unauthorized modification, misuse, destruction, disruption or disclosure. In support of its effort to protect the integrity of its computing systems, workstations, networks, lab facilities, etc., the University has the right to monitor its computing facilities. The University has the right to monitor any and all aspects of its systems, including individual login sessions, to determine if a user is acting in violation of University policies or state and federal law.


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USA Patriot Act notice

 The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (“USA Patriot Act”) expands the authority of local, state and federal law enforcement to gain access to educational records, including stored electronic data and communications. The USA Patriot Acts also expands the ways in which law enforcement officials may track Internet usage and conduct computer network surveillance.

When the University receives an order, warrant, subpoena or other request for stored electronic data or communications or to perform surveillance, the University shall request a copy of the document specifying what records are requested or what tracking or surveillance is authorized and will comply with any and all requests in a timely manner. The University may consult with legal counsel prior to the release of any records or prior to authorizing any surveillance.

The University will inform the person whose stored electronic data or communications have been requested or obtained, unless doing so would violate any statute, court order, warrant or subpoena. If the University provides information to the government or allows the government to conduct surveillance pursuant to a USA Patriot Act request, the University may not notify anyone, including the person whose information is being provided or whose information is under surveillance. The University will not disclose to third parties the fact that information has been requested or obtained on an individual or that surveillance has been conducted, unless the individual consents or the University is compelled to make the disclosure by order, warrant, subpoena or other process.


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Disclaimer

Drake University does not warrant that the functions or services performed by or that the information or software contained on the University’s technology resources will be kept confidential, meet the user’s requirements or that the resources will be uninterrupted or error-free or that defects will be corrected. The University does not make any warranties, whether express or implied including, without limitation, those of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to any technological products or services or any information or software contained therein.


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Acceptable Use Policy for the Iowa Communications Network (ICN)

Drake uses the ICN as its Internet service provider, and as a condition of that use, all members of the Drake community must abide by the following rules when using the Internet:

  1. Prohibited Activities. The following activities are prohibited:

    1.1. Users will not restrict or inhibit any other user from using or enjoying the Service and/or Internet in conformance with Iowa Code Chapter 8D, the Constitution of the State of Iowa and the Constitution of the United States;
    1.2. Users will not post or transmit any transmissions constituting or encouraging conduct that would constitute a criminal offense, give rise to civil liability, or otherwise violate any local, sate, national or international law;
    1.3. Users will not post or transmit any information or software which contains a virus, worm, Trojan horses or other harmful components;
    1.4. Users will not upload, post, publish, transmit, reproduce, distribute, or participate in the transfer or sale, or in any way exploit any information, software or other material obtained through the Internet which is protected by copyright or other proprietary right or derivative works with respect thereto, without obtaining permission of the copyright holder.
    1.5. Users will not abuse or fraudulently use the Service in any way not specifically set forth above.


  2. Should Drake discover that any of its authorized users or any other person who has access to its network, whether authorized or not, have committed any of the above, Drake will take reasonable steps to enforce the terms of our ICN Agreement. Failure to terminate any of the practices or activities outlined above may result in termination of our ICN service.
  3. Access to the Service under this Agreement is intended for the use of Drake University as defined by Iowa Code Chapter 8D. Drake may not resell the Service to any unauthorized user, nor for any unauthorized use of the Service. This does not preclude cooperative arrangements between authorized users.

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File-sharing policy

The Drake Acceptable Use Policy for computer resources prohibits the use of the Drake network, or any Drake resources, in violation of copyright laws. This document provides additional information as a supplement to that policy, which continues in effect.


Violation of copyright is a serious offense

Using a computer to copy, download or store any copyrighted material (text, images, music, movies, etc.) is a violation of the law, and leaves you liable, on conviction, to heavy fines and/or damages. Owners of copyright have become much more assertive of their rights recently, and are taking legal action against those whom they believe are violating their copyrighted property.


The University has taken steps under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (17 USC Sec. 512) including the appointment of a Drake University Campus Agent for Copyright, and the establishment of a procedure whereby complaints that a member of the Drake community has violated copyright are investigated. By complying with these steps under the Act, the University has protected itself from a claim of infringement. Individuals, however, can still be the target of copyright complaints. Under existing case law, it is likely that the University would have to comply with a subpoena seeking the identity of an alleged infringer who is using a connection to the Drake network.


A complaint may result in the disputed material being removed from any web site or computer using Drake resources, until that complaint is resolved. The Campus Agent may deem it necessary to take such immediate action in order to protect the copyright of others. In the event that the Campus Agent finds that the material violates copyright, that material will be removed permanently, and disciplinary action may be taken against the offender.


If the matter cannot be resolved amicably between the alleged student violator, the Campus Agent and the complainant, then the Campus Agent will refer the matter to the Dean of Students, for possible disciplinary action.

Repeat copyright infringers may be barred from access to the University's computer network. See 17 USC Sec. 512 (i)(1)(A).


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Understanding the basics of copyright

Copyright is secured automatically upon creation: there is no need to add a copyright symbol. Notice that this means that material you find on the web is very likely to be the copyrighted property of its creator. Unless you have good grounds for believing that the material is in the public domain, or that its copyright holder intends it to be copied (for example, material posted by a professor for students) you should not copy any such material without obtaining permission.

A work is "created" when it is fixed in a copy or phonorecord for the first time. "Copies" are material objects from which a work can be read or visually perceived, either directly, or with the aid of a machine or device, such as books, manuscripts, sheet music, film, videotape, or microfilm. "Phonorecords" are material objects embodying fixations of sounds (excluding, by statutory definition, motion picture soundtracks are regarded as part of the film), such as cassette tapes, CDs, or DVD's. For example, a song (the "work") can be fixed in sheet music (" copies") or in compact disks (" phonorecords"), or both.

If a work is prepared over a period of time, the part of the work that is fixed on a particular date constitutes the created work as of that date.

If you believe that any material on the Drake Web site, or material crossing the Drake network, infringes your copyright, you should notify the Campus Agent for Copyright, specifying the nature of the alleged infringement, and demonstrating your claim. The Drake Campus Agent, registered with the Copyright Office, is: Sandra Smeltzer, Assistant to the Provost, 205 Old Main, telephone: 515-271-4985, e-mail: sandra.smeltzer@drake.edu

If you believe that your copyrighted material has been improperly used on a Web site, you should contact the Campus Agent for Copyright at the site. You can find the name of that person at: www.loc.gov/copyright/onlinesp/list/index.html. Contact that person and make your complaint, providing whatever information you can which establishes your copyright to the material.


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Student E-Mail Policy

In order to provide easy communication among students, faculty and staff, Drake aims to provide a convenient, fast, functional and reliable mail server, which students can access on- or off-campus using a web browser or an email client of their choice.

We wish to support academic needs at a reasonable cost in money and staff time. So we need email policies which support reasonable academic needs, but which place restrictions on inefficient email practices. There are many pressing academic needs for IT resources, and so it is not our priority to devote unlimited resources to provide email. The policies which follow are intended to meet the above goals. Students who use the system responsibly and with reasonable care should not be adversely affected at all.

  1. We do not permit forwarding of messages from Drake student accounts to other services such as Hotmail or Yahoo. It is a responsibility of students as members of the Drake community to check their Drake accounts regularly for messages from faculty and administrators. Students are of course welcome to continue using their Hotmail, etc. accounts for their own, non-academic purposes.
  2. Mass mailing announcements sent to all students from Drake faculty and staff are deleted after fourteen days (with an allowance for vacation periods).
  3. Messages will be retained on the server for an interval equal to one semester plus one week. Thereafter they will be deleted on a rolling basis. Students who use an email client are encouraged to download any messages they want to keep to their local machines, and delete them and any attachments from the server. Students who use a web browser should print their messages, download attachments and then delete both.
  4. A disk quota of 15 megabytes is allocated (enough room for hundreds of messages and some multimedia files). A warning will be sent to student when the limit is approached, and if necessary messages will be deleted to bring the account under the limit. Space being used can be checked at http://mail.drake.edu/duwebfiles/emailquota.html.
  5. If an e-mail account is being used in conjunction with a class project, a request for additional, temporary space may be sent to noc@drake.edu. Please include a one-sentence description of the project, the name of the course and the instructor. A special web site for this purpose will be developed in the near future.
  6. Accounts not accessed for 90 days that have grossly exceeded the disk space allocation will be given special treatment. Messages over 30 days old that have originated from outside of Drake will be deleted. In addition, accounts in this category that are subscribed to mailing lists will have their incoming messages rejected for two weeks to allow time for list senders to delete those accounts from their lists. Spam-based lists are the major concern. A student may request that the block on incoming messages be removed during the two-week period by sending a message to noc@drake.edu. Otherwise, the receipt of messages is resumed after the two weeks.

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Web Policies

The full Web policy is at www.drake.edu/it/policies/webpolicy. The Web Policy Committee has responsibility for monitoring compliance with policy when it receives reports or complaints about possible breaches.

  1. If the WPC believes the complaint is justified, and that a page is not in compliance, it will ask the page owner to make changes to bring it into compliance.
  2. If agreement cannot be reached, a complaint of alleged breaches of policy will be filed according to the Code of Student Conduct.
  3. If the Judicial Board agrees that the page is in violation, the page owner will be asked to correct the problem, and the WPC has the power to enforce the Board’s decision.
  4. If the WPC and the Board disagree, the matter will be referred to the Dean of Students for a decision.
  5. Complaints of alleged breaches of policy by officially recognized student publications will be referred to the Board of Student Communications.

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