Computing and Network Policy

Access to information technology is an essential component in Lawrence Technological University's mission of linking theory and practice with advanced learning technologies in order to provide superior undergraduate, graduate, and lifelong learning experiences for students. The pursuit and achievement of the University's mission requires that the privilege of using computing systems and software, laptops, tablets, personal computers, University telephones, internal and external data networks, as well as accessing the World Wide Web, be made available to all members of the Lawrence Technological University community. The preservation of that privilege by the full community requires that each faculty member, staff member, student, and other authorized user comply with institutional and external standards for appropriate use. To assist and ensure such compliance, Lawrence Technological University establishes the following policy, which supplements all applicable Lawrence Tech policies, including the Student Code of Conduct and employee disciplinary policies, as well as applicable federal and state laws.

Acceptable Use

1. Authorized use of Lawrence Technological University-owned or operated computing and network resources shall be consistent with the mission and values of the University and consistent with this policy. 

2. Authorized users of Lawrence Technological University's computing and network resources are defined as those individuals who have been provided a username and password, for their own use, through legitimate Lawrence Technological University processes for assignment of such identification, from Lawrence Tech IT Services. Authorized use of Lawrence Technological University's computing and network resources is initiated by entering that individual's username and password. Using another individual's username and password is an unauthorized use.

3. This policy applies to all Lawrence Technological University computing and network resources, University telephones, University-distributed laptop and tablet computers, and external computing and network resources accessed via Lawrence Technological University's computing and network resources.

4. The University reserves the right to limit access to its networks and any posted materials when applicable campus or University policies or codes, contractual obligations, or state or federal laws are violated.

5. Non-University-owned computers which house materials that violate the University's policies and/or are used in a manner inconsistent with University policies are subject to network disconnection without notice.

6. Although the University does not generally monitor or restrict the content of material transported across networks, it reserves the right to access and review all aspects of its computing systems and networks, including individual login sessions and account files, to investigate performance or system problems, search for viruses and other harmful programs, or upon reasonable cause to determine if a user is violating this policy or state or federal laws. The University further reserves the right to inspect non-University owned computers that are connected to the University's resources upon reasonable cause to determine if a user is violating this policy or state or federal laws.

7. This policy may be supplemented with additional guidelines by campus units that operate their own computers or networks, provided such guidelines are consistent with this policy. In addition, users are responsible for abiding by the acceptable use policies of Lawrence Tech authorized network and software providers.

8. Lawrence Technological University will comply with requests from law enforcement agencies for access to information contained anywhere within the University's computer system. The University is not responsible for notification to the account holder of such a request.

Account Creation and Account Termination

All Students, Faculty, and Staff will have computer access and email accounts created and maintained for their individual use while they are enrolled at or employed by the University.

Creation of Computer Access and Email Account:

Faculty/Staff:  Upon notification from Human Resources, IT Services will create a computer access account and an email account.  The account will be maintained as long as the user is employed by the University. 

Students:  New student computer access and email accounts are created after registration and will be maintained as long as the student is enrolled at the University.

Termination of Computer Access and Email Account:

Faculty/Staff: Upon notification by Human Resources that a user has separated from the University, IT Services will delete the user's computer access account.  All files saved on University storage devices may be removed at the discretion of the department head or immediate supervisor.  The Email account and all stored email messages will be deleted at the time the user's computer access account is deleted.  

Students:  upon separation from the University, appropriate security restrictions will be placed on the account to limit access to the University's network and computing resources.

Password Policy

All passwords used to access Lawrence Tech computer and network resources must be kept private. They must not be shared with others.

Passwords must be changed regularly according to a schedule determined by IT Services.

Account Access Rights and Restrictions

Granting Access Rights to IT Resources: Users are only given access to those specific resources needed in the performance of their job duties as requested by their Dept. Head or immediate supervisor. Users are prohibited from accessing any computer resources unless they are explicitly authorized to use them.

Modification of Access Rights:  If a user is assigned a new position and/or responsibilities within the University, the user's access authorization must be reviewed. Users must not use facilities, accounts, access codes, privileges, or information for which they are not authorized in their new circumstances.

Sharing of Access: Computer accounts, passwords, telephone authorization codes, and other types of authorization are assigned to individual users and are not to be shared with others. The assigned user is responsible for any use of the account. Sharing of a computer account constitutes an inappropriate use and may lead to termination of that account and any accounts associated with the person making improper use of that account. Users with University-owned computers are responsible for any actions performed using that computer.

Permitting Unauthorized Access: Users may not run or otherwise configure software or hardware to intentionally allow access by unauthorized users. Failure to configure hardware or software in a way that reasonably prevents access by unauthorized users is a violation of acceptable use.

Violation of these policies may result in the immediate loss of the computer account, disciplinary action or other sanctions up to and including dismissal from the University.

Privacy and Security

Privacy: No user should access, view, copy, alter, or destroy another's personal electronic files without permission. If another user has failed to close out their session, a new user must close that session and enter their own username and password to use that computer.

Circumventing Security: Users are prohibited from attempting to circumvent or subvert any system's security measures. Users are prohibited from using any computer program or device to intercept or decode passwords or similar access control information.

Breaching Security: Activities which degrade the performance of a computer system or network, use of a system or network for which the user is not authorized, or deprive authorized users of resources or access to computers or networks is prohibited. 

Unauthorized Monitoring: A user may not monitor the electronic communications of others. This includes the use of "sniffing" technology for any element of the University network, including wireless connections.

Email Accounts

Email accounts are provided to students, faculty, and staff in support of the University's mission.  Email is the University's official means of communication.  Failure to read email messages sent from Lawrence Tech to its users does not absolve the user of responsibility for knowing the content of these messages.  It is the user's responsibility to monitor the content of their Lawrence Tech email account.

Email messages are neither personal nor private. While IT Services will not routinely monitor individual email and will take reasonable precautions to protect the privacy of email, program managers and technical staff may access a student's or employee's email:

• For a legitimate business purpose (e.g., the need to access information when an employee is absent).
• To diagnose and resolve technical problems involving the system.
• To investigate possible misuse of email when a reasonable suspicion of abuse exists or in conjunction with an approved investigation.
• Under the provisions of the USA Patriot Act in order to provide requested information to authorized personnel.

University email and voice communications systems and their content are the property of the Lawrence Tech and are subject to its review and control.  Email and voice messaging systems may be subject to discovery proceedings in legal actions.

On appropriate administrative approval, IT Services may monitor any official communications including email and voice communications if there is a reasonable suspicion of abuse or violation of University policies.

Email messages sent from a Lawrence Tech email account must have the user's name associated with the message.  Anonymous email messages may not be sent from University email addresses and are prohibited.

Data Security

The University provides reasonable security against intrusion and damage to files stored on central storage facilities, and provides for archiving of files based upon the operational needs of the University.   

All individual users have access to a limited amount of protected storage on University servers.  Data files stored on protected central storage facilities are regularly archived may be restored on request of the user to the most recent version available. 

However, the University is not responsible for the loss of users' files or data when stored on desktop PCs, laptops, or any other non-centrally located and/or unprotected storage media. Users should take their own steps to back up and protect important information.

All computer systems accessing the Lawrence Tech network must have up to date anti-virus software installed and running. IT Services will install University approved anti-virus software on all University systems currently in production and on new systems prior to delivery to the end user.

Encrypted files, documents, and messages may be accessed by the University if suspected of breaching Acceptable Use guidelines. Under the provisions of the USA Patriot Act, the University is under no obligation to notify any user who may be the subject of an investigation.

Acceptable and Unacceptable Uses of the Internet and University Computing Resources

University computing resources and the Internet may be used only for authorized purposes in support of the research, education, and administrative functions of the University.  Users are responsible for ensuring that the Internet is used in an effective, ethical, and lawful manner. 

Examples of acceptable use include:

• Searching the Internet to obtain information from commercial and/or educational web sites
• Accessing databases for information as needed
• Using Lawrence Tech supported systems for business and research contacts
• Using collaboration sites and blogs in support of a research project

Users are responsible for:

• Ensuring that their activities do not disrupt their own productivity nor the productivity of others
• Making sure they do not transmit any copyrighted materials without permission and to be in compliance with all copyright laws.
• Avoiding transmission of non-public or confidential information without encryption.
• Keeping their operating systems current with updates & patches, and running up to date anti-virus software on their laptops or desktop computers.
• Backing up data stored on laptops, desktops and any other non-central unprotected storage device.

University network and computer resources should be used in support of Lawrence Tech's research and educational mission.  The following activities are examples of prohibited use:

Harassment, Libel, and Slander: No user may use the University's computers, telephones, or networks to libel, slander, or harass any other person.

Cheating: Students are not permitted to use software or other learning technologies such as Instant Messenger or blogging for the purpose of academic dishonesty in the classroom. Sanctions will be imposed as stated in the Student Code of Conduct. 

Chain Letters: The propagation of chain letters is an unacceptable practice and is prohibited.

Activities which disrupt or disable network or computer performance: Examples include: Distributing computer viruses (users must not knowingly distribute or launch viruses, worms, Trojan horses, or other rogue programs.) Rogue Access Points (users are not allowed to install access points without written authorization from Lawrence Tech IT Services.) Port Scanning (users are prohibited from systematically scanning University computer ports by use of scanner software or any other device.)  Flooding (generating excessive network traffic, including spamming and denial-of-service, is prohibited.)

Private Commercial Purposes: The computing resources of Lawrence Technological University shall not be used for private commercial purposes or for financial gain.

Modifying Software or Software Installation: A user may not modify the software configuration on any computer provided for general access.

This list is not inclusive.  The University reserves the right to take any disciplinary action deemed appropriate if network or computer use violates the University's mission or policies.

Copyright

In support of Lawrence Tech's mission, the University adheres to all U.S. Copyright Laws (Title 17, United States Code) and other Congressional Copyright Acts and Amendments (see http://www.copyright.gov/title17/index.html).

Software and databases that reside on the University's computing network are owned by the University or third parties. These works are protected by copyright and other laws, together with licenses and other contractual agreements. Users are required to respect and abide by the terms and conditions of software use and redistribution licenses. Such restrictions may include prohibitions against copying programs or data for use on the University's network or for distribution outside the University, against the resale of data or programs, or against the use of software for non-educational purposes, or for financial gain, and against public disclosure of information about programs (e.g., source code) or data without the owner's authorization.

The University will actively cooperate with any authorized organization to identify users who violate copyright law. Users found to be in violation copyright law will be subject to the University sanctions and possible legal action.

The Laptop Program

The University provides laptops to registered undergraduate students, full-time faculty, and teaching adjunct faculty in support of the University's mission.  Graduate and doctoral students are charged $95 per credit hour per semester for a laptop.  Availability is not guaranteed to graduate and doctoral students.  Laptops are not generally available to University staff.

Before users can be assigned a Lawrence Tech laptop, they must agree to the terms and conditions contained in the Lawrence Tech Laptop Lease Agreement.    

The term of the lease agreement is up to one year.

Complete information about the Laptop Program is contained in the Laptop Lease Agreement.  A copy of the Student Laptop Lease Agreement is available on Lawrence Tech's website: http://www.ltu.edu/computer_center/handbook1.asp

Printed copies of the Laptop Lease Agreement for full time and adjunct faculty are available at the Help Desk.

Laptops are only assigned to individuals only.  There are no departmental laptop assignments.

Users picking up a laptop must have fulfilled the requirements for laptop distribution and have a valid Lawrence Tech Photo ID.

Students and faculty must pick up their laptops in person. Laptops will not be distributed to anyone other than the person to whom it is assigned. Parents, relatives, or friends may not pick up a laptop for a Lawrence Tech student or faculty member.

Users agree to use the LTU Laptop within its normal capacity, without abuse, and in a manner contemplated by the University.

All laptops come with pre-installed software designed to meet the instructional goals of each college.  Users may install any software on their assigned laptops which was legally obtained and licensed.  University IT Services is not responsible for support and troubleshooting of personally obtained software installed on University laptops.

The Laptop Program is under continuous review.  Laptop Program policies and procedures may change at any time.

Residence Hall Access

As members of the Lawrence Tech community, residents of University Housing must abide by this Computing and Network Policy.

Residence hall access to the campus network is granted to individuals. Each individual is responsible for assuring that his/her personal residence hall room connection is not misused.  Each individual is also responsible for assuring that the residence hall room connection is not misused by guests in the room.

Incident Reporting

Incidents of misuse of University computing resources should be reported to Tim Chavis, Executive Director, Information Technology Service Delivery.  Appropriate action will be taken upon completion of any investigation 

Sanctions

Violations of this policy may be subject to immediate suspension of services by Computer Services, which may include temporary or permanent reduction of IT privileges, and to the existing Student Code of Conduct or employee disciplinary procedures of Lawrence Technological University. Sanctions may include the loss of network access and computing privileges. Illegal acts involving Lawrence Technological University's computing resources may also subject users to subpoena and prosecution by local, state, and/or federal authorities.