1.6 Computer Usage Policy

The purpose of the computer usage policy is to state faculty and staff responsibilities in their use of University computers to comply with University policy, legal and ethical requirements. The usage policy covers communication deportment, confidentiality of stored data, files, computers and networks as well as protecting the proprietary rights of third parties and of the University in commercial software. This policy also provides the general guidelines on how computer and electronic resources may be used.

To have access to and use of a University computer employees must agree to comply with the following:

• Employees can only access computers, data and programs for which the individual user is authorized. Each employee must abide by assigned channels of authorization and security provisions.

• Employees are prohibited from the unauthorized access to any other employee’s or student’s data or programs. Unauthorized access means to read, browse, modify, move, or delete files or directories. This policy prohibition does not apply to supervisors of employees who in an extraordinary situation need access to data and programs on a subordinate’s computer, however such access will be only be allowed on a time limited basis pursuant to a procedure administered by Computer and Information Services (CIS).

• Employees are prohibited from making illegal copies of commercial software on or off campus. Copying of commercial software for legal purposes may be made, but only with the approval of CIS.

• Employees are prohibited from using University computers or networks to compromise other computers or networks or to commit crimes or other unethical acts.

• Employees are required to keep passwords and accounts confidential. An employee’s access to computer resources is for the employee’s use only. It is not to be shared with others. Employees are expected to take the appropriate safety measures with regard to account access, including the following:

  • use of complex and long guess passwords;

  • not leaving their terminals unattended without locking their screens or logging out.

• Employees are expected to handle confidential data responsibly in an effort to protect the University information and the private information of individuals.

• Employees are prohibited from installing software on any University computer without the prior approval of CIS.

The following statements describe how computer resources (including network and peripherals) at SPU may be used.

• All uses of computer resources should foster the goals and objectives of Seattle Pacific University. Computing and network resources, and user accounts, are owned by the University and are to be used for University-related activities only. Computer equipment and accounts at Seattle Pacific University should be used for legitimate instructional, research, administrative, or other approved purposes.

• All digital content on University computer resources is owned by the University and may be accessed by authorized University personnel under CIS guidelines. While the University does not prohibit the storing of personally owned information (e.g., music files, pictures, documents), employees doing so do so at their own risk, meaning the University has no responsibility to store, backup or protect such content.

• The University encourages sharing of information, comprehensive access to local and national services to create and disseminate information, and free expression of ideas. There is an obligation on the part of all employees who use these services to respect the intellectual and access-rights of others who use the resources. Therefore all employees are prohibited from using University computer and network services for plagiarism, making false or misleading statements or entering into uncivil discourse.

• Computer resources are to be used in an ethical manner and care should be used to use communication software and systems in a manner consistent the University’s commitment to being a grace-filled community and treating each person with respect. The following lists a number of specific prohibitions:

• Use of expletives, scatological references, and other types of offensive language is prohibited.

• Threats, actual or implied, against another individual are prohibited

• Forwarding of marked confidential communications without the consent of the message originator is to be avoided. This would including forwarding of any emails originated in University provided email distribution lists (e.g., Facnet and Staffnet) to parties outside of these limited use networks without the consent of all the originators and responders to the email.

• Electronic Mail (e-mail) facilities, Web pages, and other electronic resources are for university related activities. Fraudulent, harassing or obscene messages and/or materials are not to be sent or stored. E-mail should not be used for conducting of other business, advertising, broadcasting unsolicited messages or annoying other users. While the University does not prohibit employees from using its email system and software to send and receive occasional personal email messages, employees must understand that in certain circumstances their personal messages may become known to other University employees who have a legitimate business reason to access their email accounts, under CIS guidelines (e.g., prolonged illness of an employee, termination of employment). Employees are encouraged to keep personal messages in separate folders in the email systems. The University does not accept any responsibility for the loss or disclosure of personally identifiable information stored in the email system (e.g., should such system be breached or hacked).

• No one should deliberately attempt to degrade the performance of any of the University computer systems. Be considerate in your use of shared resources. Refrain from monopolizing systems, overloading networks with excessive data, wasting computer time, connect time, disk space, printed paper or other resources.

• Employees must comply with all computer resource management policies of the University as promulgated by CIS and the Administration.

• University computer resources should not be used to access gaming, gambling or pornographic websites

Any violation of the stated responsibilities regarding system access, security or use should be reported to Computer and Information Systems. Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.

See Computer and Information Services Acceptable Use Policy for further information.