This policy applies to the use of all Vanderbilt University computing resources, including computer data networks and the resources they make available, as well as stand-alone computers that are owned and/or administered by Vanderbilt. Computer privileges are granted with the understanding that Vanderbilt computing resources will be used for university purposes.
Faculty, staff, and students may access and use these resources only for purposes related to their studies, their responsibilities for providing instruction, the discharge of their duties as employees, their official business within the university, and other university-sanctioned activities. Incidental personal use for non-commercial purposes may also be appropriate.
The use of Vanderbilt computing resources for commercial purposes is permitted only with the approval of appropriate university officials and when in accord with other Vanderbilt policies, including conflict of interest policies. System administrators at Vanderbilt may publish more restrictive policies respecting use of particular computer systems. Users must also observe those policies where applicable.
Secure Use
Users of Vanderbilt computer resources are responsible for the correct and sufficient use of the tools available for maintaining the security of information stored on each computer system. While ultimate responsibility for resolution of problems related to the invasion of the user's privacy or loss of data rests with the user, a reasonable effort will be made by Vanderbilt to lessen the impact of such loss or damage. Users are responsible for observing the following precautions:
- Computer accounts, passwords and other types of authorization that are assigned to individual users should not be shared with others.
- The user should assign an obscure account password and change it frequently.
- The user should understand the level of protection each computer system automatically applies to files and supplement it, if necessary, for sensitive information.
- The user should be aware of computer viruses and other destructive programs, and take steps to avoid being a victim or unwitting distributor of these processes.
- The user should be aware that Vanderbilt computing resources, including software such as electronic mail, are not necessarily secure or private.
Respectful Use
Vanderbilt computing resources should be used in a manner that is protective of the use privileges and property rights of others. Users must therefore:
- Abide by all local, state, and federal laws, including copyright laws.
- Abide by all applicable software license agreements.
- Use only the accounts, access codes, or network identification numbers assigned to them.
- Access only those files or data which they are authorized to use.
- Refrain from using computing resources in ways that unnecessarily impede the activities of others.
- Refrain from using computing resources in ways that are unlawfully harassing to others.
Cooperative Use
Vanderbilt expects that computer users are willing to cooperate so that all users may make maximum use of facilities in a shared environment. Users are expected to:
- Regularly delete unneeded files from accounts on shared computing resources.
- Refrain from unneeded use of connect time, information storage space, printing facilities, or processing capacity.
- Refrain from unneeded use of interactive network utilities.
- Refrain from using sounds or visuals that are disruptive to others.
Sanctions
Violations of this policy may be grounds for discipline. Discipline may include loss of computing privileges or other sanctions as provided by disciplinary provisions applicable to students, faculty, or staff. In addition, Tennessee and federal law provide for civil and criminal penalties for violations of the law by means of computer use. Examples of unlawful actions include defamatory remarks, destruction of data or equipment belonging to the university or to others, unauthorized copying of copyrighted material, and the transportation of obscene materials across state lines.
This policy was adopted by the university on August 1, 1995.