Miscellaneous Issues
Responsible Use of Computing
Mason provides and maintains general computing services including web and Internet resources, as well as telecommunication technology, to support the education, research, and work of its faculty, staff, and students. At the same time, Mason wishes to protect all users' rights to an open exchange of ideas and information. The Responsible Use of Computing policy sets forth the responsibilities of each member of the Mason community in preserving the security, confidentiality, availability, and integrity of Mason computing resources. To accomplish these ends, this policy supports investigations of complaints involving Mason computing abuse, including sexual harassment, honor code, federal, state, applicable industry, and local law violations.
Mason faculty and staff, as state employees, are subject to the Freedom of Information Act, 2.2-3700, et seq., of the Code of Virginia, and all applicable state and federal rules and regulations. While this policy endeavors to maintain user confidentiality it cannot create, nor should faculty or staff members presume, any expectation of privacy.
Violations of this policy may result in revocation of access, suspension of accounts, disciplinary action, or prosecution. Evidence of illegal activity will be turned over to the appropriate authorities. It is the responsibility of all users of Mason computing resources to read and follow this policy and all applicable laws and procedures (user sign-on agreement).
Access to Mason's computing resources are a privilege granted on a presumption that every member of the Mason community will exercise that privilege responsibly. Because it is impossible to anticipate all the ways in which individuals can damage, interrupt, or misuse Mason's computing resources, the policy focuses on a few simple rules. These rules describe actions that users should avoid and the principles behind them. Each rule is followed by a non-exhaustive list of examples of actions that would violate the rule.
RULE 1: Use Mason Computing Resources consistently with the following intended purposes:
Educational, research and administrative purposes of Mason.
Uses indirectly related to Mason purposes that have an educational or research benefit, such as news reading, web browsing, chat sessions, and personal communications.
Employees and contractors of the Commonwealth of Virginia may not use Mason's computing resources for recreation or entertainment.
RULE 2: Do not use computer accounts for illegitimate purposes.
Account usernames identify individuals to the entire international Internet user community. Users may be held responsible for actions in the account. If that person violates any policies, his or her actions will be traced back to the username and the account holder may be held responsible.
FORBIDDEN:
- Selling access to Mason's computing resources;
- Engaging in commercial activity not sanctioned by Mason;
- Intentionally denying or interfering with any network resources;
- Using or accessing any Mason computing resource, or reading or modifying files, without proper authorization;
- Using the technology to in any way misrepresent or impersonate someone else;
- Sending chain letters;
- Violating copyright laws and licenses;
- Violating federal or state law, or university policy.
RULE 3: Honor the privacy of other users.
Mason respects the desire for privacy, and voluntarily chooses to refrain from inspecting users' files, except as described below in Section V. System administrators who carry out standard administrative practices, such as backing up files, cleaning up trash or temporary files, or searching for rogue programs, do not violate privacy. Some examples of privacy violations are:
- Accessing the contents of files of another user without explicit authorization from that user.
- Intercepting or monitoring any network communications meant for another person.
- Transmitting or distributing personal or private information about individuals without explicit authorization from the individuals affected.
- Creating or using programs (e.g., keyloggers), that secretly collect information about users. Note that most systems keep audit trails and usage logs; these are not secret and are considered normal parts of system administration.
RULE 4: Do not use any account except the one you have been authorized to use.
If a user has a legitimate reason to give someone else access, it should be strictly temporary. The account holder should change the password after another user finishes using the account.
RULE 5: Do not use Mason's computing resources to violate other policies or laws.
The list below is not comprehensive. In case of doubt, ask the Security Review Panel (SRP), or e-mail stopit@gmu.edu.
- Using Mason's computing resources to violate harassment laws or policies. Various types of harassment, including sexual or racial, are proscribed by Mason policies.
- Using Mason's computing resources to violate the Honor Code.
- Extending the Mason network without explicit permission from ITU Network Engineering. The unauthorized use of routers, switches, modems and other devices can impact the security and stability of the network.
- Running vulnerability scans on systems are considered hostile. If required for academic reasons, written permission from the system owner is required.
- Using Mason's computing resources to transmit, store, display, download, print or intentionally receive obscene material, or to distribute pornographic material. All users of Mason computing resources are subject to all federal and state obscenity laws. State employees should also be aware of state laws prohibiting the use of state equipment to access, store, print or download sexually explicit material.
- Further details of the policy are contained in Adminstrative Policy #1301, Responsible Use of Computing.