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IT
Policies
Introduction
These
policies apply to the use of computers and networks
at the American University of Sharjah, and of computers
and networks elsewhere if you use American University
of Sharjah resources to gain access to those computers
or networks.
General
Policy
All
registered students, faculty and staff have computing
privileges free of charge. Each individual is assigned
a computer account code (their userID) that provides
access to computing resources to assist them in carrying
out the instructional, research, and administrative
goals of the University.
Access
to AUS's computer facilities (networks, laboratory computer
systems, residence hall systems, including software
licensed by the University or its agents for use on
University systems) is a privilege, not a right. Many
members of the University community use these facilities,
relying on their availability to accomplish their work
and assignments, and to store important and confidential
data, including software or computer programs. It is
prohibited, and ethically wrong, for individuals to
access or attempt to access or view any account for
which they do not have specific authorization; actions
which intentionally disrupt, delay, endanger or expose
another person's work or University operations are also
prohibited. Individuals engaging in such actions will
be prosecuted under the internal rules of the American
University of Sharjah and applicable criminal statutes
of the Emirate of Sharjah and the UAE. Individuals harmed
by such actions may also bring civil charges against
the person(s) responsible.
Computing
accounts are provided for AUS work only. No commercial
activity is permitted unless approved in writing in
advance by the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration.
Protect
Yourself!
Each
account is assigned to a single individual, who is responsible
for all computer usage under that account. When prohibited
activity is alleged or detected, the University will
pursue the owner of the account. To protect yourself,
prevent unauthorized access by keeping your password
a secret.
There
is always the possibility of a system crash, network
outage, or some other interruption of your work, which
may result in loss of your data, files, or software.
Please take steps to minimize your risk by frequently
backing up your work. If you have special needs, the
IT Department may be able to help you work out any necessary
extra procedures.
Privacy
In
an operational sense, the Network and Telecom Systems
unit generally regards files in your account and data
on the network as private; that is, employees of the
Network and Telecom Systems unit do not routinely look
at this information. However, the University reserves
the right to view or scan any file or software stored
on University systems or transmitted over University
networks, and will do so periodically to verify that
software and hardware are working correctly, to look
for particular kinds of data or software (such as computer
viruses), or to audit the use of University resources.
Violations of policy that come to the Network and Telecom
Systems unit's attention during these and other activities
will be acted upon.
You
should be aware that electronic mail and messages sent
through computer networks, including the Internet, may
not remain confidential while in transit or on the destination
computer system.
Your
data on University computing systems may be copied to
backup devices periodically. Network and Telecom Systems
makes reasonable efforts to maintain confidentiality,
but if you wish to take further steps, you are advised
to encrypt your data. Although you may use encryption
software, you are responsible for remembering your encryption
keys. Once your data is encrypted, the Network and Telecom
Systems unit will be unable to help you recover it should
you forget or lose the key.
Copyright
Software
available on computers and networks is not to be copied
except as permitted by the applicable software license.
"Respect
for intellectual labor and creativity is vital to academic
discourse and enterprise. This principal applies to
works of all authors and publishers in all media. It
encompasses respect for the right to acknowledgement,
right to privacy, and right to determine the form,
manner, and terms of publication and distribution.
Because
electronic information is volatile and easily reproduced,
respect
for the work and personal expression of others is especially
critical in computer environments. Violations of authorial
integrity, including plagiarism, invasion of privacy,
unauthorized access, and trade secret and copyright
violations, may be grounds for sanctions against members
of the academic community."
Quoted
from: Using Software: A Guide to the Ethical and Legal
Use of Software for Members of the Academic Community,
EDUCOM (January 1992), p.3.
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