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Computer Ethics Policy
Union Graduate College’s Computer Ethics Policy provides for access to information technology resources and communications networks within a culture of openness, trust, and integrity. In addition, the Graduate College is committed to protecting itself and its students, faculty, and staff from unethical, illegal, or damaging actions by individuals using these systems. The Graduate College endorses the following statement of Software and Intellectual Rights that was developed through EDUCOM, a non-profit consortium of colleges and universities committed to the use and management of information technology in higher education:
"Respect for intellectual labor and creativity is vital to academic discourse and enterprise. This principle applies to works of all authors and publishers in all media. It encompasses respect for the right to acknowledgment, right to privacy, and right to determine the form, manner, and terms of publication and distribution. Because electronic information is volatile and easily reproduced, respect for the work and personal expression of others is especially critical in computer environments. Violations of authorial integrity, including plagiarism, invasion of privacy, unauthorized access, and trade secret and copyright violations, may be grounds for sanctions against members of the academic community."
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to outline the ethical and acceptable use of information systems at the Graduate College. These rules are in place to protect students, faculty, and staff, i.e., to ensure that members of the Graduate School community have access to reliable, robust IT resources that are safe from unauthorized or malicious use. Insecure practices and malicious acts expose the Graduate College and individual students, faculty, and staff to risks including virus attacks, compromising of network systems and services, and loss of data or confidential information. Security breaches could result in legal action for individuals or the College. In addition, security breaches damage the College's reputation and could result in loss of services. Other misuses, such as excessive use by an individual, can substantially diminish resources available for other users. The computing resources of the Graduate College include but are not limited to the College's network, its internet connection, and computing systems. In addition, this policy also applies to the use of personally owned computers that are connected to the College's network. The Graduate College and Union College reserve the right for authorized personnel to monitor use of computing and software problems, preventing system misuse, assuring compliance with Internet Access Service Agreements and this policy, and complying with legal and regulatory requests for information.
The computing equipment and facilities at Union Graduate College are a resource of Union Graduate College with access given for administrative, academic and research use. In order to continue to provide information technology services to students and faculty at Union Graduate College and Union College, it is expected that all individuals who are given access to the computing equipment and facilities will conduct themselves responsibly and professionally. Such access is a privilege and not a right. Every user of the College's IT resources is required to know this policy and to conduct their activities within the scope of this policy. Failure to comply with this policy may result in loss of computing privileges and/or disciplinary action.
Responsibilities of Graduate Students
Students are expected to act responsibly and maintain the integrity of computer resources, by observing the following:
- Sharing user passwords with anyone is prohibited. If students choose to do so, they are responsible for that person's actions.
- Prior written consent is required for opening, examining, copying, modifying or deleting any files belonging to another user.
- Copying or altering any licensed software is prohibited.
- Damaging or modifying any computer hardware or software to cause it to malfunction or "crash" is prohibited.
- Hardware or software must not be used for commercial purposes other than related to Graduate College coursework or activities.
- Students must not bypass accounting mechanisms (e.g., passwords, anti-virus programs) by decryption or an intentional introduction of a virus.
- Violating copyright or licensing agreements regarding software or software documentation is prohibited.
- Students must not deliberately waste computer resources (e.g., printing blank pages, unnecessary copies, toner, etc.).
- It is prohibited to knowingly harass, intimidate, defame or threaten other members of the Graduate College or Union College community by electronic mail (also see the Graduate College's Harassment Policy).
- Students must not download recreational software that could adversely affect the performance of the College's network.
- Students must not engage in activities that would knowingly cause excessive traffic on Union's or the Graduate College’s network. One example would be the use of multiple, concurrent downloads/uploads from/to the network/Internet. The Graduate College prohibits the use of computing and networking facilities and resources for creating, transmitting, distributing or storing any information, data or material that: (a) infringes any copyright, trademark, trade secret, or other intellectual property right; (b) constitutes child pornography; or (c) is libelous, defamatory, or constitutes an illegal threat or abuse or encourages conduct that would constitute a criminal offense or give rise to civil liability.
The unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material may subject an individual to civil and criminal penalties, in addition to Graduate College sanctions. Any student alleged to have violated this Computer Ethics Policy will be subject to the Student Disciplinary Code.
for the most up to date information visit the student handbook
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© 2011 Union Graduate College,
Full, part time and accelerated Graduate Masters Degree Study Programs.
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Union Graduate College
80 Nott Terrace, Schenectady, NY 12308 US
Phone: (518) 631-9900 Fax: (518) 631-9901
