| Doña Ana Branch General Use Policy |
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| Doña Ana Branch General Use Policy |
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I have read the Doña Ana Branch General Use Policy, and I understand and agree to abide by the terms of the policy. I also understand that the continued use of my account must be in accordance with the policy, as amended in the future. Further, I recognize that violations of this policy may be cause for restriction or elimination of my access to DABCC and NMSU computer resources or other disciplinary action, and that civil or criminal penalties may be sought by the Branch/University if applicable.
This Computing and Networking Policy is derived from the NMSU Personnel and Benefits Policy Manual and the Student Code of Conduct. If there is any conflict in interpretation between those two documents and the Doña Ana Branch General Use Policy, the policies in the NMSU Personnel and Benefits Policy Manual and the Student Code of Conduct will prevail.
The following topics are addressed:
To the greatest extent possible, access to all Doña Ana Branch computing and networking resources shall be available to all authorized users. Usage priorities may exist for some resources, depending on instructional, research and administrative needs. The NMSU-NET network is a primary communications tool for people in the field. The use of the network is encouraged as contributing to more effective communication to the benefit of all concerned.
The users of the computing resources are expected to take a responsible and professional approach to the use of those resources. Since the resources are shared, every client must accept the specific responsibility of minimizing the impact of one's actions on others. The use of any University resources for support of private enterprise such as outside consulting should only be in accordance with stated policies, and under explicit written agreements.
Clients are not to use or develop programs that harass other clients, modify the system or account, or cause damage to system resources. The transmission of destructive programs is likewise prohibited.
Use of the system to send fraudulent, harassing, obscene, indecent, intimidating or unlawful communications is prohibited.
Where possible, those computations which make heavy demands on shared resources should be run at off-hours or at low priority. It is never acceptable to run poorly-implemented or resource- intensive programs under circumstances where others computations or work might be damaged or made ineffective.
Disruptive behavior in computing and networking areas will result in immediate removal from the facilities.
Use of computer resources are provided primarily for academic activities. Other activities are considered secondary. During busy times, clients not using the facilities for primary activities will be asked to give up their access for others needing the services.
No client may place commercial software or any software or data which is illegal for any reason anywhere in the Doña Ana Branch's storage space. When software or data with a questionable legal status is found, the client will be given the opportunity to demonstrate that it is legal. If, in the judgement of Computing and Networking, the client fails to demonstrate its legality, it will be deleted and the user may lose access to Computing and Networking's resources; other disciplinary actions may be taken.
Respect for intellectual labor, creativity and property rights is vital to academic discourse and enterprise. This principle applies to works of all authors and publishers in all media.
Computing equipment and resources in the Doña Ana Branch is owned or administered by the Doña Ana Branch Community College. Access to this equipment and resources is a privilege granted to clients to facilitate instruction, learning, research and administration. File space or storage allocated to a client is referred to as being "owned" by that client's account or that client. The usage of this term is for convenience only and expressly does not imply legal ownership, but only permission to use these facilities under the policies and regulations of the College. This encompasses respect for the right to acknowledgment, 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 an author's integrity, including plagiarism, invasion of privacy, unauthorized access, and trade secrets and copyright violations, may be grounds for sanctions against those who violate these conditions.
Clients should never, under any circumstances, gain or attempt to gain unauthorized access to other accounts or file space. Any attempt to log onto an account for which you have not been authorized, regardless of its success, will be considered a security violation. Any evidence that such access has been gained will be investigated and will be subject to disciplinary action.
Some examples of items which will be considered as evidence of attempts to gain access to other clients' accounts are:
This list only gives examples, and is not exhaustive.
Clients should change passwords frequently, and should not reveal their passwords to anyone. (NOTE: if you are tempted to let another person use your account, consider carefully that you will be held responsible for anything that person does, including activities which may be subject to disciplinary action!) Passwords should not be written down, or be easily guessed, such as your first name, phone number or nick-name.
If a client has reason to believe that someone has gained unauthorized access to an account, the password should be changed and the suspicion should be reported to the Business and Information Systems Office or Computer Support Office immediately.
Notwithstanding clients' rights to privacy, and any rights under the Electronic Communication Privacy Act of 1986, clients grant specific permission to Computing and Networking to inspect clients' accounts and file space for investigation of suspected infractions of University policies or as needed for maintenance functions. Clients understand that without this permission, they will not be granted an account on Computing and Networking equipment.
A client's account has protections set so that only that account is able to view the directory and access the files it contains. Changing system protections to make file space accessible to other clients is considered to be equivalent to explicitly permitting other clients on the system this access. In cases involving plagiarism, the culpability of the person committing the plagiarizing is not lessened by the other party having made the information available. Moreover, the person who made the information available may be held to have assisted in the plagiarizing, and may also be subject to disciplinary action.
Computing and Networking prefers neither to act as a disciplinary agency nor to engage in policing activities. However, in cases of unauthorized, inappropriate, or illegal use of resources, Computing and Networking reserves the right to take any action deemed necessary. When investigating a possible abuse of the system, Computing and Networking, while respecting the rights of all clients, has the authority to examine files, passwords, accounting information, printouts, tapes or other material which may aid in the investigation. Examination of client files must follow University procedures and be authorized by the Executive VP or his designee. Clients, when requested, are expected to cooperate in such investigations. Failure to cooperate may be grounds for cancellation of access privileges.