Computer and Network Acceptable Use

SUNY Oswego campus network provides networking services in support of the educational mission of SUNY Oswego. It is the responsibility of each member of the campus community to use these services appropriately and in compliance with all campus, local, state and federal laws and regulations. Access is a privilege that can be revoked due to misuse. By connecting to the campus network system, the user agrees to the terms and conditions of this Acceptable Use Policy, related SUNY Oswego computer use policies, as well as the policies in the Faculty and Professional Staff Handbook and this handbook.

Users who administer computers on the campus network that are used as servers have the additional responsibility to respond to any use of their server that is in violation of this Acceptable Use Policy . Server administrators must take steps to prevent recurrence of such violations and report these violations to the campus Network Administrator. Additionally, server administrators must fully cooperate with campus, local, state and federal civil and criminal authorities investigating complaints of abuse of network services (e.g., by installing monitoring and tracking software, providing access to activity logs, etc).

Campus units and individuals who configure computing systems to provide information retrieval services to the public at large must do so in a manner consistent with SUNY Oswego mission. For any such services provided through the campus network SUNY Oswego name must not be used in ways that suggest or imply endorsement of other organizations, their products, or services.

The campus network is a shared resource. Excessive use of network resources which inhibits or interferes with the use of the network by others is not permitted. Any person operating a net-work-intensive application or a defective computer or other network-connected device, either of which overloads the network, will be notified and steps will be taken to protect the overall network. This may include disconnecting the offending system from the network until the problem is resolved. If the condition is an imminent hazard to the campus network or disrupts the activities of others, then the offending system or the section of the network to which it is attached may be disconnected without prior notice.

The following regulations define acceptable use of the campus network:

Use of the campus network for any illegal activities is strictly prohibited. Any receipt,  transmission or retransmission of software or data must observe copyright laws, license restrictions and SUNY Oswego policies. Illegal activities include, but are not limited to:

File-sharing in violation of the Federal Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), denial of service attacks, etc.
 

• Campus network resources may not be used to defame, harass, intimidate or threaten. SUNY Oswego harassment policies cover all uses of the campus network, including e-mail correspondence and newsgroups.
   
• Viewing, copying, altering or destroying any data, or connecting to a host on a network without permission of the owner is a violation of this policy.
   
• Campus network services, equipment, wiring or jacks may not be altered, removed, or extended beyond the location of their intended use.
   
• The campus network may not be used to provide access to campus information systems for purposes other than those that are in support of the mission of SUNY Oswego.
   
• Those with access to the campus network may not resell or otherwise provide access to anyone not formally affiliated with SUNY Oswego unless prior written permission is obtained from SUNY Oswego's Network Administrator.
   
• Oswego-specific or commercially obtained network resources may not be retransmitted outside of the SUNY Oswego community. Examples include: the ICC newsgroups and Penfield Library’s FirstSearch databases.
   
• Users may not forge or otherwise misrepresent another’s identity through any form of communication.
   
• Users may not use the campus network to attempt to circumvent protection schemes or exercise security loopholes in any computer or network component.
   
• The campus network may not be used for commercial or profit-making enterprise, except for those commercial activities officially sanctioned by SUNY Oswego.

JUDICIAL PROCEDURES

Violations of this Acceptable Use Policy will be adjudicated by the Network Administrator’s Office or other appropriate campus administrative process. Violations of local, state and federal law will be referred to the appropriate authorities. Violations of these regulations may result in judicial sanctions as prescribed by Codes of Student’s Rights, Responsibility and Conduct such as:

• Loss of access privileges;
• Monetary reimbursement to SUNY Oswego or other appropriate sources;
• Reassignment or removal from campus housing and/or SUNY Oswego;
• Prosecution under applicable civil or criminal laws.

Further information on the campus Acceptable Use Policy is available from the Network Administrator’s Office.