COMPUTER USE POLICIES
Computer Services and Information Technology

INTRODUCTION

All computer use at the University of South Carolina Lancaster, hereafter referred to as USCL, must conform to the "Computer and Network Access and Use" statement issued by the Office of the Provost of the University of South Carolina. No policies set forth here may be interpreted as contradicting or superceding that statement of policy. This statement of use policies for USCL is provided in addition to those issued by the Office of the Provost ( ACAF 1.39, ACAF 7.01, ACAF 7.02, ACAF 7.04, ACAF 7.05 ).

Access to computers is a privilege based on the responsible use of computer and network resources. All policies included here are intended to insure a continued tradition of academic freedom, freedom of expression, and freedom to access information in a considerate and responsible manner. In keeping with the mission of the University of South Carolina and USCL, all policies are intended to provide the widest possible academic and scholarly access to computer resources and information technology.

The policies included here are applicable to student computer labs, library stations and individual faculty and staff workstations at USCL. These policies must be adhered to by faculty, staff, and students on the USCL campus. Failure to comply with these policies may lead to loss of computer privileges, campus disciplinary action or legal action.
 

The Computer Coordinator is the individual designated by the USCL administration as having primary responsibility for maintaining the integrity of the campus network and the maintenance of individual faculty and staff workstations.

The Laboratory Supervisor is the responsible party who has been designated by the USCL administration as having primary responsibility for the maintenance of hardware and software on individual workstations.
 

POLICIES

2) No software may be loaded onto student laboratory computers without the knowledge and prior approval of the laboratory supervisors, at library stations without the knowledge and prior approval of the library staff, or at clinic stations without the knowledge and prior approval of the clinic director for the John Morrison White Clinic. Only with the permission of a laboratory supervisor, library staff, computer coordinator, or the clinic director for the John Morrison White Clinic, may programs downloaded from the Internet be run on student laboratory computers, library stations or clinic stations.

3) Academic work takes precedence over all other uses of the computer. No computer use for recreation or other personal interest will be permitted in USCL student computer labs, library workstations, or John Morrison White Clinic workstations when students are waiting to work on course assignments or course related research. Recreational use includes but is not limited to, personal E-mail, chat lines, computer games, and web surfing not related to academic or research activities.

4) All computer users are reminded that their activities are subject to the civil and criminal laws of the state of South Carolina and of the federal government. Possible illegal activities include but are not limited to: sexual or other harassment, threats, obscenity, child pornography, libel, unauthorized access to or attempting to access computers, networks, or student records, and copyright violation. Copyright violations include the use of unlicensed software.

5) Only currently enrolled students of USCL with proper ID (and on a space available basis students currently enrolled in the USC system with proper ID) may use computer laboratory facilities on the USCL campus. Student computer laboratory use is limited to classes meetings in the laboratories or when designated faculty or staff monitors are present in the laboratories. Other use of the computer laboratories must be arranged by the permission of the USCL Administration.

6) No conduct in student laboratories, at library stations, or at the John Morrison White Clinic stations will be permitted which in any way interferes with the ability of others to make use of the computer resources or which could cause damage to the facilities. All student computer lab users, library station users, and clinic station users are expected to show sensitivity to others when viewing or downloading material which others working there could find offensive. Conduct which is not permitted includes but is not limited to, shouting, loud conversation, playing recreational music over computer or other speaker systems without headphones, and consumption of food and drink.

7) No computer use for commercial purposes is permitted. These activities include but are not limited to, typing services, bookkeeping, commercial Internet activity and commercial database production. Faculty research and document preparation for publication and university approved consulting agreements are not included in this category.

8) No student files should be saved on campus computer lab computers.  All students are expected to bring their own 3½ inch floppy discs so that they may save files when using the campus computer labs.
 

EXAMPLES OF POLICY VIOLATIONS

Modifying the computer’s operating system files.

Installing, copying, distributing or using software in violation of copyright and/or software agreements.

Failing to surrender a terminal used for game playing when requested for academic use.

Using computer resources for illegal activities. Examples: sexual or other harassment, threats, obscenity, child pornography, and libel.

Accessing or attempting to access information that is private or protected without permission.

Sending anonymous or repeated messages designed to annoy, abuse or torment.

Copying a file from another computer user’s account or floppy disk without permission.

Using computing resources for commercial or profit-making purposes without written authorization from the University.

Failing to present current USCL or USC system identification.

Modifying existing passwords or setting additional passwords which prevent others from making use of the system.

Unplugging and moving devices.

Talking loudly and playing recreational music without headphones.

Eating or drinking.
 

DISCIPLINARY ACTION