Policy Statement

Access to and use of CU-Denver's computing resources is a privilege granted to members of the CU-Denver community for scholarly, research, academic, and administrative purposes. Computing resources are defined as facilities, equipment, systems, and personnel. Use of these resources includes World Wide Web pages, listservs, email, application software, and any other electronic communication. Members of the CU-Denver community who use computing resources are expected to do so in an effective, efficient, appropriate, ethical, and legal manner. Use of CU-Denver's computing resources, depends upon mutual respect and cooperation to ensure that all members of the CU-Denver community have equal access, privileges, privacy, and protection from interference and harassment.

CU-Denver computing resources shall be used in a manner consistent with the instructional, research, and administrative objectives of the academic community in general and with the purpose for which such use of resources and facilities is intended. All activities inconsistent with these objectives are considered to be inappropriate and may jeopardize continued use of CU-Denver's computing resources.

CU-Denver computing resources are for the use of authorized individuals only and for use only in a manner consistent with each individual's authority. CU-Denver's computing resources may not be used in any manner inconsistent with an individual's authority, prohibited by licenses, contracts, University policies, or local, state, or federal law. No one may grant permission for inappropriate use of computing resources, nor does the ability to perform inappropriate actions constitute permission to do so.

User Agreement

CU-Denver reserves the right to monitor, record, and store computing activities of anyone using computing resources. If such monitoring, recording, and storage reveals possible evidence of inappropriate, unethical, or illegal activity, computing system personnel may provide the evidence obtained from monitoring to appropriate university and civic authorities.

A. Each user agrees to make appropriate use of computing resources including, but not limited to:

1. Respecting the intended purposes of computing resources, facilities, and equipment (for scholarly, research, academic, administrative and CU-Denver-sponsored community service purposes).

2. Respecting the stated purpose of computer accounts (for scholarly, research, academic, administrative, and CU-Denver-sponsored community service purposes) and to use computer accounts only for the specified purposes.

3. Respecting the dignity and privacy of other users.

4. Respecting the integrity of the systems.

5. Respecting the resource controls of the systems and managing appropriately use of disk space.

6. Respecting the privileges associated with having network connectivity.

7. Respecting the copyright protection of licensed software and documentation.

8. Following all University of Colorado and CU-Denver policies, and local, state, and Federal laws related to computing.

B. Each user agrees to refrain from inappropriate uses of computing resources, including, but not limited to:

1. Using any other individual's computer account or password.

2. Inappropriate, unethical, or illegal use of another individual's computer.

3. Using computing resources, facilities, and equipment for personal commercial gain.

4. Intentionally seeking information on, obtaining copies of, modifying, or tampering with files, tapes, passwords, or any type of data belonging to other users unless specifically authorized to do so by those other users.

5. Using resources to develop or execute programs that could harass other users, infiltrate the systems, damage or alter the software components of the systems, or disrupt CU-Denver activities.

6. Violating any network-related policy, whether set by the University of Colorado, CU-Denver, or a network governing body.

7. Altering or avoiding accounting for the use of computing resources, facilities, and equipment.

8. Making excessive use of resources, controlled or otherwise.

9. Misrepresenting oneself or others through email or other electronic communication.

10. Using, duplicating, or distributing licensed software and documentation without the express written permission of the original copyright owner.

11. Using unauthorized copies of licensed software.

12. Abusing, harassing, intimidating, threatening, stalking, or discriminating against others through the use of computing resources.

13. Sending obscene, abusive, harassing, or threatening messages to any other individual.

14. Engaging in vandalism or mischief that incapacitates, compromises, or destroys CU-Denver resources.

World Wide Web Policy

Access to the World Wide Web (WWW) and the ability to create web pages on CU-Denver computing systems are privileges provided to members of the CU-Denver community. CU-Denver users must conduct their activities in a courteous and professional manner.

I. Servers

Computing, Information, and Network Services (CINS) supports and maintains designated WWW servers for general campus usage. All web servers connected to the Internet through CU-Denver networking are to be registered with the CU-Denver Webmaster, webmaster@carbon.cudenver.edu. This includes all web servers located outside of the CINS department. The WWW Policy applies to all web servers using CU-Denver as the Internet Service Provider (ISP).

II. Individual WWW Pages

Appropriate Use Policies for CU-Denver computer accounts also apply to individual home pages. Individuals who create home pages are responsible for adhering to the following guidelines:

A. Individual home pages are encouraged for the following purposes:

1. Presenting personal non-commercial information (resumes, family, etc.)

2. Experimenting with available Web technologies and authoring tools;

3. Publishing and disseminating academic work;

4. Linking to cultural, scientific, or historical sites;

5. Posting announcements, news bulletins, and other general information.

B. Individual home pages may not be put to inappropriate uses which include, but are not limited to:

1. Use of copyrighted materials in any form without the express written permission of the original copyright owner.

2. Personal, commercial uses which could result in a financial benefit for the page owner or his/her associates.

3. Use of audio, images (i.e., photographs, paintings, or derivatives thereof), videos, or movies of individuals without their express written consent.

4. Use of any personal information that is not public record pertaining to other individuals without their express written permission.

5. Use of any images or data that are abusive, obscene, harassing, threatening, or discriminatory.

6. Use of any images or data that violate other University of Colorado or CU-Denver policies (e.g., Sexual Harassment Policy) or local, state, or Federal laws.

7. Creation of direct hypertext links to abusive, obscene, harassing, threatening, or discriminatory material.

8. Use of materials whose nature or volume compromise the ability of the system to serve other users' documents and web pages.

9. Any use which constitutes academic dishonesty.

10. Use of individual home pages to engage in illegal activity

III. Departmental WWW Pages

Appropriate Use Policies for CU-Denver computer accounts also apply to departmental web pages. All departmental web pages are expected to adhere to the CU-Denver Authoring Standards.

A. Departmental pages are encouraged for the following purposes:

1. Disseminating general departmental information (goals, office hours, point of contact, etc.);

2. Highlighting departmental programs or activities;

3. Introducing faculty or staff and/or hyper-linking to their personal pages;

B. Departmental pages may not be put to inappropriate uses which include, but are not limited to:

1. Use of copyrighted materials in any form without the express written permission of the original copyright owner.

2. Personal, commercial uses which could result in a financial benefit for the page owner or his/her associates.

3. Use of audio, images (i.e., photographs, paintings, or derivatives thereof), videos, or movies of individuals without their express written consent.

4. Use of any personal information that is not public record pertaining to other individuals without their express written permission.

5. Use of any images or data that are abusive, obscene, harassing, threatening, or discriminatory.

6. Use of any images or data that violate other University of Colorado or CU-Denver policies (e.g., Sexual Harassment Policy) or local, state, or Federal laws.

7. Creation of direct hypertext links to abusive, obscene, harassing, threatening, or discriminatory material.

8. Use of materials whose nature or volume compromise the ability of the system to serve other users' documents and web pages.

9. Any use which constitutes academic dishonesty.

10. Use of departmental pages to engage in illegal activity.

 

Policy Violations

WWW Committee

The Chancellor shall appoint a WWW Committee to (1) manage the CU-Denver web site, (2) set policies for and oversee the use of electronic communication at CU-Denver, and, (3) in conjunction with Computing, Information, and Network Services (CINS), handle violations of CU-Denver Computing Policies.

Reporting

Any individuals who become aware of inappropriate, unethical, or illegal use of CU-Denver computing resources, inappropriate content of an individual home page, or any inappropriate electronic communication should notify the CU-Denver Webmaster, webmaster@carbon.cudenver.edu.

Child Pornography

Any material which appears to contain child pornography will be immediately referred to the Denver Police Department, and will also be subject to the procedures which follow.

Notification of Policy Violation

The CU-Denver Webmaster will notify the user who is alleged to have violated CU-Denver’s computing policies of the nature of the alleged violation and will provide the user with a copy of CU-Denver’s Computing Policies.

Suspension of Privileges during Investigation

During the investigation of an alleged policy violation, a user’s computing and network access may be suspended. CU-Denver reserves the right to examine a user’s recorded and stored information in the course of investigating an alleged policy violation.

Procedures

1. The CU-Denver Webmaster will review the material alleged to be in violation of CU-Denver’s Computing Policies. If the CU-Denver Webmaster believes that the material violates the policies, the CU-Denver Webmaster will request that the user remove the offending material.

2. If the alleged violator fails or refuses to comply with the CU-Denver Webmaster’s request, the CU-Denver Webmaster may refer the matter to the CU-Denver WWW Committee for action.

3. If the alleged violator disagrees with the CU-Denver Webmaster, the user may file a written petition requesting the WWW Committee to review the case.

4. The Chair of the CU-Denver WWW Committee will appoint a three-person subcommittee of the WWW Committee to review the case. Two members of the subcommittee must be selected from the membership of the WWW Committee. The Chair may select the third member from the WWW Committee or from Faculty Assembly, Staff Council, or the Associated Students.

5. After consulting with the alleged violator and with the Webmaster, the subcommittee will determine (a) if a policy violation has occurred and, (b) if a policy violation has been found, what action should be taken to remedy the policy violation.

Consequences of Policy Violations

Violations of CU-Denver Computing Policies may result in disciplinary action, including, but not limited to, suspension of access to the WWW, suspension of email privileges, suspension of computing privileges, suspension or expulsion from the University, suspension or termination of employment, imposition of fines, and referral for legal action.

The CU-Denver WWW Committee may recommend to the Director of Student Life that a student be suspended or expelled from the University and may recommend to the appropriate appointing authority that an employee be suspended or terminated. The WWW Committee may impose all other sanctions specified above.