NSU Acceptable Use Policy
The information, computing, and instructional technology resources provided by NSU are intended to assist members of the NSU community faculty, students, and staff in the fulfillment of their educational responsibilities. These resources and their effective use, contingent upon first amendment and academic freedom principles that demand the free flow of information and a free and open atmosphere, are vital to the mission of NSU. Such use is encouraged; however, since these resources are state property, their use is a privilege. For all to benefit, proper and fair use is necessary. This document attempts to outline the rights and responsibilities of both NSU and the users of these resources.
NSU responsibilities:
• NSU has the responsibility to maintain a
reasonably stable and secure network
environment. Scheduled downtime will be limited
and well announced.
• NSU has the responsibility to backup files and
data stored on the campus on a regular basis.
Users should be aware, however, that no system
configuration, backup process or security setup
is 100% effective.
• Network and computing equipment (hardware and
software) provided by NSU will be legally
obtained, up-to-date and sufficient for the
needs of users.
• NSU has the responsibility to treat data
(including users’ files and e-mail) as
confidential. However, ownership does reside
with the University and data in the system may
be subject to discovery during litigation and
disclosed in court proceedings.
• NSU will provide training.
User responsibilities:
• Users have a responsibility to treat other
users and the staff with consideration and
respect. Abuse or harassment of others will not
be tolerated. Users should be sensitive to the
diverse and public nature of facilities.
• Since users have a right to resources
sufficient to their needs, they have a
responsibility not to use excessive resources.
This would necessarily inhibit chain letters,
spam, mass mailings, and excessive printing,
game playing, or otherwise unnecessary network
traffic.
• Users should obey the law. Under state and
federal laws, the following activities are
illegal: distribution or retrieval of child
pornography, distribution of pornography to
minors, obscenity, scams and pyramid schemes,
copyright infringement, and unauthorized
duplication of software. Users have the
responsibility not to use illegally obtained or
pirated software. Copyright and intellectual
property laws should be obeyed (for additional
information on copyright and intellectual
property law, see the library home page). Staff
may ask for proof of ownership before installing
or helping with software.
• Users have a responsibility not to abuse or
mistreat equipment or data or to use networks
and accounts or access data for which they do
not have authorization. This precludes any form
of computer hacking. Users should keep their
passwords private. Users are responsible for the
safety and integrity of their data and should
back-up their work frequently.
• Northern State University treats policy
violations of computing facilities, equipment,
software, information resources, networks or
privileges seriously. Problems should be
reported to NSU staff. Disciplinary action
resulting from such abuse may include the loss
of computing privileges and other sanctions
including non-renewal, discharge, and dismissal.
Alleged violations of the policy shall be
processed according to the judicial processes
outlined in the SDBOR/COHE Higher Education
Contract, the Faculty Handbook, and the Student
Handbook. Northern State University may also
prosecute abuse under the Computer Fraud and
Abuse Act of 1986, or other appropriate laws.
THE ACT OF LOGGING ON THE NETWORK INDICATES YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THE ABOVE TERMS AND CONDITIONS.