COMPUTER USER POLICY

Northwestern University Information Technology (NUIT)
NUIT provides access to the Northwestern computer network for Northwestern students and faculty and staff members. The network consists of a campus-wide network, local area networks, shared computers, and personal desktop computers. NUIT ensures that network rights and responsibilities are not violated and provides set rights to its network and service users.

Privacy
Data files and messages traversing the University network are not regarded as private or secure communications. The University reserves its right, as owner of the network, to examine, capture, and archive any messages transmitted over the University network and to review any data stored on University-owned computers. Furthermore, if a specific user is suspected of violating the regulations as stated within this handbook, the University’s requirement to maintain the network’s integrity and protect the rights of its users may supersede the individual user’s privacy. If the security of the network is threatened, user files and messages may be examined under the direction of the vice president for information technology, associate vice president for information technology, or a director of information technology.

Safety from Threats
While unwanted or unsolicited contact cannot be controlled within the network, users who receive threatening communications should notify University Police. Electronic threats are not tolerated and are subject to University policy.

Intellectual Freedom
The University network, similar to the University itself, is an open forum for the expression of all ideas, including viewpoints that may be viewed by other parties as strange, unorthodox, or unpopular. Network administrators place no official sanctions upon the expression of personal opinion within the network, and such opinions may not be regarded as representative of the views of Northwestern University.

Responsibilities
Responsibilities are a part of the privilege of network access. Users are expected to adhere to these responsibilities. Violators may have their network access suspended and, depending upon the seriousness of the violation, may be referred to the Student Promotions Committee (SPC). Actions that violate federal or state laws, furthermore may result in referral to the appropriate legal authority.

• Users are responsible for their network ID ("NetID") and all assigned computer accounts. Access to NetIDs, passwords or computer accounts may not be given to or obtained by any other party. The NetID and its associated password are the property of NUIT. Applications and services by unauthorized parties must be approved by the Office of the Vice President for Information Technology or by a NUIT director.
• Users may not misrepresent themselves or their data on the network.
• Users are responsible for maintaining the security of their passwords by changing them on a regular basis to ensure their protection.
• Users may not use NU’s network resources to gain or attempt to gain unauthorized access to remote computers.
• Users may not deliberately perform an act which will seriously impair the operation of computers, terminals, peripherals, or networks. Such acts include, but are not limited to, tampering with components of a local area network or the high-speed network, blocking communication lines, or interfering with the operational readiness of any computer.
• Users may not run or install a program that could result in the eventual damage to a file or computer system, including but not limited to, the classes of programs known as computer viruses, Trojan horses, and worms.
• Users may not attempt to circumvent data protection or exploit security loopholes.
• Users must abide by the terms of all software licensing agreements and copyright laws. Users may not duplicate or post another party's copyrighted material (such as music, movies software, written materials), unless permitted by a license or within the fair use doctrine. A more complete discussion of software copyright protections is available on NUInfo.
• Users may not deliberately perform acts that are wasteful of computing resources or that unfairly monopolize resources to the exclusion of others. Any person operating a network-intensive application or a defective computer that overloads University networks will be notified, and steps will be taken to protect the overall University network. This may include disconnecting the offending computer system from the University network until the problem is resolved. If the condition is an imminent hazard to the University network or disrupts the activities of others, the offending computer system or the subnet to which it is attached may be disconnected without advance notice.
• The following types of information or software cannot be placed on any University-owned computer system: that which infringes upon the rights of another person and that which gives unauthorized access to another computer account or system.
• Users may not attempt to monitor another’s data communications, nor may they read, copy, change, or delete another user’s files or software without permission of the owner.
• Computing and networking resources are provided to support the mission of the University and may not be used for commercial purposes.
• Any network traffic exiting the University is subject to the policies of the network through which it flows, as well as to all University policies.
• All University computing and networking facilities are provided for use by the faculty, staff, and students for relevant academic, research, or administrative pursuits. Like all other University facilities, private use must be approved in advance as stated in the NU Employee Handbook and the NU Student Handbook.
• The content of any information made available to others via the University’s network is the sole responsibility of the person who created that information. It is their responsibility to be aware of all applicable federal laws, state laws, and University policies. That person is liable for any violations of federal laws, state laws, or University policies.
• The IT security coordinator and the relevant authorities should be notified about violations of computer laws and policies and potential loopholes in or breaches of the security of its computer systems and networks.

University and External Policies
These policies supplement the Northwestern University Policy for Use of Computers and Networks and the Rules and Regulations of Student Conduct, both of which can be found in the NU Student Handbook. These cover such acts as theft of computer services (including copyrighted computer programs), theft or mutilation of University property such as equipment, and the unacknowledged or unauthorized appropriation of another’s computer program, or the results of that program, in whole or in part, for a computer-related exercise or assignment. Northwestern University abides by EDUCOM’s guidelines regarding the ethical and legal use of software.

Further information of University IT policies may be found on the Web at www.it.northwestern.edu/policies/index.html.