JWU Help Desk : Policies

This Technology Use Policy covers the proper usage of J&W technology which includes telephone and fax equipment as well as computers, peripheral devices, and networks. The University provides and maintains this technology to support the mission of the institution and this policy applies to all J&W technology owned or maintained by the University and to all users of or users connected to this technology, whether on campus or off campus.

Definitions

The J&W Technology The University’s telecommunications systems (including telephone, cell phone, fax, and radio equipment, lines, transmitters, and receivers) and data communications and processing systems (including wired and wireless networks, e-mail, public folders, Internet access, University web sites, security devices, uconnect, computers, workstations, laptops, PDAs, printers, servers) and other computer hardware and equipment, computer labs, software, data files, and internal and external computer and communications networks that can be accessed directly from the University’s computer network.

Users All members of the University community, including students, faculty, staff, independent contractors, consultants, temporary workers, and others who use or connect to J&W technology.

IT The University’s Information Technology Department.

Ownership and Access
J&W technology is the property of the University and is made available to several user groups: students in support of their academic and student life objectives and requirements; faculty in support of their teaching and administrative activities; staff in support of their assigned responsibilities; and other authorized users in support of authorized use of J&W technology.

Anyone using J&W technology does so at his or her own risk. Johnson & Wales University, including its employees and agents, is not responsible for any equipment damage or data corruption or loss that may be suffered by users of J&W technology.

As a condition of using J&W technology, all users of J&W technology agree to comply with this policy as well as with all other applicable laws, rules, policies, and regulations. Access to J&W technology is a privilege which the University can suspend or revoke at any time.

No Expectation of Privacy
While the University does not routinely monitor communications sent or received by users or their use of the internet, the University does reserve the right, in accordance with applicable laws, to monitor the activities of users. The University may monitor the activities and communications of employees, independent contractors, consultants, volunteers, and temporary workers using J&W technology at any time and for any reason. The University may monitor the activities of students when needed to investigate a possible violation of law or the University’s Student Code of Conduct or to help insure the proper operation of J&W technology. All users agree to such monitoring through their use of J&W technology. If monitoring shows possible evidence of improper or illegal activity, such evidence may be turned over to University authorities and/or law enforcement officials. The University is not obliged to inform a user that it has reviewed the user’s communications or technology use.

Prohibited Activities
Users shall not use J&W technology, directly or indirectly, to do or attempt any of the following:

Create, facilitate, or perform any illegal activity or violate the legal rights of others;
Circumvent the user authentication or security of any device, host, network, application, or account (including hacking, breaking in, or stealing files or data) or use, disclose, or change another’s password, account number, or PIN without the express consent of such person or University authorities;
Post, transmit, communicate, or disseminate content which violates the rights of others or which is unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, slanderous, harassing, defamatory, or offensive or objectionable to a reasonable person;
Upload, download, post, publish, transmit, retain, reproduce, share, or distribute in any way information, software, movies, music, books, articles, or any other material which is protected by copyright or other proprietary right, without obtaining permission of the owner;
Use any University-owned computer to access, post, transmit, or disseminate obscene or pornographic content;
Copy, utilize, or share software in violation of a software license;
Restrict, inhibit, or otherwise interfere with the ability of others to use or enjoy J&W technology, including generating levels of traffic sufficient to impede others’ ability to send or retrieve information, create or release computer viruses, or engage in other destructive or potentially destructive programming activities, or wasting technology resources;
Engage in fraud, misrepresentation, “phishing,” or falsifying addressing information to conceal, spoof, or mask a sender or recipient’s identity;
Use the J&W technology for commercial purposes (other than University business) or unauthorized financial gain.
Violate the policies or disrupt the activities in any computer lab;
Misuse, tamper with, alter, steal, vandalize, deface, or intentionally damage any J&W technology;
Fail to abide by this policy or the rules, regulations, and instructions of IT, including failure to install anti-virus and other software as directed by IT;
isseminate “SPAM” or initiate or participate in the promulgation of chain letters, unauthorized automated or mass postings, or other types of unauthorized large-scale distributions;
Invade the privacy or inappropriately distribute the phone numbers, e-mail addresses, or other personal information of another person.

Use and Operation of J&W Technology
Passwords and PIN Numbers Users must safeguard their passwords, account numbers, and PINs, and must not print, display, save locally, store online, or give out their passwords or PINs. Users are responsible for all transactions made using their passwords and PINs. No user may use J&W technology with another user’s password or account. Users should choose appropriate and “strong” password(s) and guard their security. “Strong” passwords consist of an 8-character minimum with at least one number and one special character. “Strong” passwords do not contain words that can be found in the dictionary or parts of the user’s own name. Users should change their passwords frequently and must change them when required by IT.

Data Security Users are responsible for the security and integrity of applications, information, and data stored on their workstations, laptops, or other technology used by them. Users should control and secure physical and network access to data and to J&W technology and should monitor access to their accounts and data. If a user suspects that his or her computer has been compromised or that there has been unauthorized activity, the user must report it immediately to the IT Help Desk. The University is not responsible for lost/corrupt data or work. Users must properly log out of computer sessions or lock their computers when they leave the area. It is the responsibility of users to make backup copies of their work and University employees must make such back-ups on IT-approved servers (e.g. shared [:H] or personal [:G] drives).

Anti-virus and Operating System Patches All computers that are a part of or connect to J&W technology must have an active subscription to anti-virus software which has been properly installed. In addition, these computers must be configured for automatic operating system patches and must have the latest operating system patches applied, as well as any other applications required by IT. Current virus and patch requirements are available on this website or by contacting the Help Desk.

Personal and Recreational Use Use of J&W technology for educational purposes and University business has priority over other (i.e. personal or recreational) uses. Students may use their personally-owned computers, devices, and residence hall telephones for personal purposes. Employees should not use J&W technology for personal purposes except in emergencies or when extenuating circumstances may occasionally warrant such use. When personal use is unavoidable, such use must not interfere materially with the performance of the employee’s job and employees must properly log any user charges and reimburse the University for them. Whenever possible, personal communications that incur user charges should be placed on a collect basis or charged directly to the employee's personal credit card or account. Employees must insure that no personal communication appears to be an official communication of the University. Online internet games are banned from all academic and administrative areas, including the computer labs, classrooms, libraries, and office locations.

IT Authority Computer settings such as network configuration or applications required or provided by IT may not be changed without express authorization from IT. Routers, DHCP servers, and wireless access points are not allowed unless provided by the University. Only people authorized by IT may repair or adjust University hardware, software, or other J&W technology. Users should not attempt repairs on their own. All problems with J&W technology must be referred to the IT Help Desk.

Help Desk Contact 401-598-HELP (401-598-4357) or toll free 1-866-598-4357 or helpdesk@jwu.edu

Policy issues or concerns should be directed to General Counsel or his/her designee.