Guide to Student Life - Campus Life - Adelphi University

INFORMATION SYSTEMS: ACCEPTABLE
USE POLICY
The information systems (including computers, computer accounts, microcomputers, printers,
networks, software, electronic mail, video, telephones and telephone long distance and
voicemail accounts) and all communications and information transmitted by, received from
or stored in these systems are property of the University and are provided for the use of
Adelphi students, faculty and staff, as approved, in support of the programs of the University.
All students, faculty and staff are responsible for seeing that these information systems are
used in an effective, efficient, ethical and lawful manner. The use of information systems is a
privilege, not a right, which may be revoked at any time for misuse, including, but not limited
to, violation(s) of this policy. Adelphi University will routinely exercise its right to examine the
contents of its information systems and/or monitor its usage from time to time. Their contents
may be accessed only by authorized University personnel. The following policies relate to their
use and the University reserves the right to modify this policy at any time:
The information systems are owned by the University and are to be used for University-related
activities only. All access to central information systems, including the issuing of accounts, must
be approved through the Office of Information Technology (OIT). All access to school, institute,
college or departmental information systems must be approved by authorized personnel.
Information systems are to be used in accordance with all federal, state and local laws, only for
the purpose for which they are assigned and are not to be used for commercial purposes or
non-University, personal, solicitous or union-related activities.
Computer programs, electronic mail, voicemail and electronic files are presumed to be private
and confidential unless there is suspected misuse or they have explicitly been made available to
other authorized individuals. Authorized OIT personnel may access others’ files when necessary
for the maintenance and security of information systems. When performing maintenance, every
effort will be made to ensure the privacy of a user’s files; however, if violations of policies are
discovered, they will be reported to the appropriate vice president and either the assistant vice
president for human resources and labor relations for employee accounts or the dean of student
affairs for student accounts.
Fraudulent, harassing, illegal or obscene messages and/or materials are not to be sent, printed,
requested or stored. Chain letters and other forms of Internet mass mailings are also not
allowed.
A computer account, electronic mail account or voicemail account assigned to an individual
must not be used by others without explicit permission from the instructor or administrator
requesting the account. The individual is responsible for the proper use of the account,
including proper password protection.
Information system accounts that expire, along with the files in the expired accounts, will be
deleted. Accounts expire in accordance with the terms of the account. Email and voicemail
messages that are older than the limit set by the system administrator will be deleted. For active
employees and others who have an ongoing relationship with the University, such as emeritus
professors, the account will not be closed and files will not be deleted without every effort
being made to contact the account holder. The Office of Information Technology will assist in
whatever way possible to its best ability and practices to help account holders archive their
files.
Software systems that allow access through the network to the contents of microcomputer
files will not be installed on a microcomputer without the approval of the faculty or staff
140