Computer use by faculty, staff and students at Waldorf University is encouraged to support the educational goals of the university. This use should be consistent with the mission statement of the university, which states, "The University's mission is to educate the whole person in the spirit of Jesus Christ, enabling the individual to experience fulfillment through a life of service." As a result, Waldorf computer resources are to be used for educational purposes in an ethical and courteous manner. In addition, students and staff of Waldorf  are bound to adhere to the acceptable use policy of the National Science Foundation for Internet use.

Regulations

Priority of open computing resources

i.e. network connections in the computing labs, library & AACE

  • Academic assignments requiring computer resources
  • Academic research and investigation
  • Administrative projects
  • Email and accessing unassigned resources on the Internet

Respect for Others

  • Computer resources will not be used to threaten or harass another person.
  • Messages, email, wallpaper and screen savers must be in good taste.
  • Messages and email are to be sent under the name of the sender.
  • Users will make every effort not to disrupt network service for other users.
  • Student-initiated campus wide emails are permitted only with departmental approval.

Responsibilities

  • Users will be responsible for any activity associated with their user id.
  • Non-warranty damage and theft will be billed to the student for the cost of repair/replacement.
  • Users are expected to secure insurance coverage for user caused repairs/theft.
  • Users will request authorization by Information Technologies professional staff for all software added to their hard drive.
  • Users will be charged an hourly rate for repairs of unauthorized system software modifications.

Legal Issues

  • Engaging in illegal or criminal activities using Waldorf computing facilities is not permitted. It is illegal to install and/or operate unlicensed software on campus-owned computers.
  • Copying or distributing software/files which violates copyright laws, license agreements, and intellectual property is illegal. This is outlined in the Copyright Law of the United States of America, revised March 1, 1989 in Title 17 of the United States Code, Section 117 and according to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). http://www.loc.gov/copyright/title17/. Downloading and sharing of copyrighted MP3’s, movies, etc. is prohibited. This includes the laws of libel, privacy, copyright, trademark, obscenity and child pornography. Knowingly distributing or actively developing a computer virus, worm or Trojan horse is prohibited.
  • Installation and or use of software to circumvent Waldorf's Computer Use Policy is considered a violation of regulations. (Example: tunneling software).

Ethical Issues

  • Users may utilize only the user-id assigned to them.
  • It is expected that users will access only the software that has been preinstalled by Institutional Technologies Department personnel.
  • Users are expected to respect the security and integrity of other users' files and email.
  • Users are expected not to attempt to break into or crack the security of computer systems for which they lack authorized access.
  • Users are expected not to develop or distribute software that disrupts computer services.

Efficient Use of Resources

  • Use of Waldorf's network resources for recreational game playing is not permitted.
  • Use of computing resources to post or receive offensive or obscene material is not permitted.
  • Use of computing resources for-profit activities is not permitted.
  • System software and hardware should be modified only by authorized personnel.
  • Users are expected to avoid using excessive amounts of system resources. Email sent to all students must meet at least one of the following purposes:

    • Promotion of college sponsored activities.

    • Sales promotions (approved by the Dean of Students)

    • Communications from university offices and organizations.

  • It is suggested that lost and found, items for sale and ride requests be submitted for daily campus announcements.

    • Originating or forwarding chain letters or sending unapproved campus wide emails is not permitted.

       

    • Unauthorized use of personal equipment is not permitted. Only university issued equipment is authorized to connect to the campus network.

Violation of Regulations

Computer resource abuse by employees of the university will be handled through appropriate administrative channels. Computer resource abuse by students will result in charges filed and processed according to Student Services procedures. Network ports and/or user accounts may be disabled immediately by the Institutional Technologies Department pending due process by Student Services when it appears necessary to protect the security, functionality and legal obligations of the university. Computer resource abuse is considered a level 2 (subject to review) violation of the university's Living Guidelines. Computer resource abuse could result in limited access, temporary or permanent loss of access, a record of the violation placed in the student's permanent file, dismissal from Waldorf, and/or charges filed with legal authorities. Waldorf University reserves the right to use software to monitor computer and Internet activities at any time without notice.

Computer System Access

Use of Waldorf computing facilities for Internet access is restricted to current directors, trustees, officers, employees and students to ensure compliance with our Internet provider contract. System use other than Internet may be granted to individuals outside the Waldorf community in special cases. Requests for outside use can be made to the Information Technologies Department. The Technology Committee will review all requests and recommend action. Public access is available in Luise V. Hanson Library. System Resource Management System resources such as processor performance and disk space are routinely monitored by Institutional Technologies Department personnel to ensure efficient system operation. Use of Waldorf computing facilities implies consent to such monitoring by authorized personnel.

Security

Reasonably dependable security exists on the campus computer systems. However, it is recommended that highly sensitive or personal documents be stored on personal disks and not be sent using email. Users need to be aware that computer resources are not completely private. Waldorf treats all contents of electronic files as confidential and private, but is governed by all U.S. and Iowa and applicable international laws.

Waldorf has the right to change this policy as necessary.