Academic Computing Policies

Computing Policies - User Responsibilities

Users of Genesee computing resources have the following responsibilities:

1. Users are expected to comply with all hardware and software licensing agreements. Software is licensed by the College for users and may be subject to limitations.
2. Users are expected to make no unauthorized attempts to gain access to any account not belonging to the user on any Genesee system. Any suspected unauthorized use of a user account should be reported immediately to the Director of Academic Computing or the Director of Computer Services.
3. Users are expected not to use any Genesee system as a staging ground to crack (or break into) other computer systems.
4. Users are expected not to use any Genesee system through unauthorized dial-up access.
5. Users are expected not to use any Genesee system for illegal or criminal purposes.
6. All users are responsible for their own telecommunications access charges, if any.
7. Any user who finds a possible security hole on any Genesee system is obliged to report it to the Director of Academic Computing or the Director of Computer Services.
8. Users are responsible for all use of their accounts, including choosing safe passwords and ensuring file protections are set correctly.
9. Access is granted to individuals, not groups of individuals; passwords are not to be shared under any circumstances.
10. Keep in mind that many people use the Genesee system for day to day work. Obstructing this work by consuming large amounts of system resources (disk space, CPU time) or be deliberately crashing the machine(s) will not be tolerated. Users are asked to clean up disk space and/or stop processes except in emergencies.
11. Genesee computer technology facilities and resources are not to be used for commercial purposes or non-College related activities.
12. Users are responsible for the integrity of their own data. Where appropriate, users need to make back-up copies of their data files.
13. Genesee computing resources are not to be used to transmit any communication where the meaning of the message, or its transmission or distribution, would violate any applicable law or regulation or be obscene, abusive or highly offensive or objectionable to the recipient or recipients thereof.
14. Users are expected to avoid offensive of inflammatory speech. Users must respect the rights of others in the local user community and the Internet at large. Personal attacks are an unacceptable use of the network. If you are a victim of a "flame," take the time to respond rationally; seek assistance from Computer Services staff, if necessary.
15. Users are expected to avoid the knowing or inadvertent spread of computer viruses. Do not import files from unknown sources. If you do obtain software from remote sources, follow proper procedure to check for viruses before use. Virus scanning software is available from the Computer Services department.
16. Impersonation is not permitted. Real names must be used; pseudonyms are not allowed. Anonymity is not allowed; individuals must take responsibility for their action and words.
17. Users are not allowed to run "sniffers;" these are computer programs that search computer networks for information such as users ids and passwords.
18. Users are not to share their passwords with anyone under any circumstances. Users who are asked for their passwords are to report the request immediately to the Director of Academic Computing or the Director of Computer Services.