Appendix
A Model Ethics Code for Computer Usage
Computer systems are part of the educational and research facilities provided by the college, and the general principles governing use of these facilities also apply to computer systems. In particular, respect for the privacy and property of others, and for standards of academic honesty, apply to uses of computer systems as to all other areas of the college.
Purpose
The computer systems are provided to support the educational and research activities of the college. Use for other activities, especially for commercial purposes, is forbidden.
Privacy and Property
Each user’s files are his or her own private property, subject to the constraints detailed in the college intellectual property policy, and private files are not to be read by another user without explicit permission. Copying of programs or data files without permission is considered theft and is liable to disciplinary action appropriate for any other theft. This also applies to software or data copyrighted or licensed by an individual or organization. System administrators may have to examine users’ files in order to maintain normal system operation, but they must have approval from the college provost or designee.
Security
Each user has the right to work undisturbed by unwanted
communication or interference from others. Public messages or other communications
that will be seen by general users of the system must respect the dignity
and sensitivity of all users.
No user may interfere with, or attempt to interfere
with, the normal operation of the system, either to degrade system operation,
to acquire unauthorized resources, or for any other purpose.
Authorization
Each user receives an allocation of system resources; but waste
of resources, even within a user’s allocation, wastes college resources
and deprives others of their use. Examples of wasteful use include printing
blank paper and playing games except at times when usage is very light. Use
of college computers is limited to college faculty, staff and students. Use
of some systems is further limited and requires specific authorization. This
is particularly true of the time-shared computer systems, where every user must
have an authorized identification code. Unauthorized use of any computer system
will be considered theft of college resources.
Use of networks connecting to computers outside of
the college is regulated by the rules and policies set by those networks.
Violation of network rules will result in revocation of network access
and the possibility of other disciplinary action by the college and legal
action by the operators of the network.
Enforcement
Violation of these rules is a violation of college
disciplinary policy, and violators are subject to the normal college disciplinary
procedures. Some violations may also be liable to prosecution under state
or federal laws.
Note: See (Augustine, 1989) for discussion of the
content of a code.
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