All members of the University of the Cumberlands community who use the University’s computing, information or communication resources must act responsibly. Every user is responsible for the integrity of these resources under their control. All users of University-owned or University-leased information technology systems must respect the rights of other users, respect the integrity of the physical facilities and controls, and comply with all pertinent licenses and contractual agreements. It is the policy of University of the Cumberlands that all members of its community act in accordance with these responsibilities, relevant laws and contractual obligations, and the highest standard of ethics.

Information technology provides important means of communication, both public and private. Users and system administrators will respect the privacy of person-to-person communication in all forms, including voice (telephone), text (electronic mail and file transfer), and image (graphics and video).

Access to the University’s information technology facilities, from both remote and campus sites, is a privilege granted to the University’s students, faculty, and staff. Access to University information resources may be granted, limited, or withdrawn by the University based on the following factors: observance of relevant guidelines, laws, and contractual obligations, the requester’s need to know, the information’s sensitivity, system load, availability of training, risk of damage to or loss by the University, and the person’s previous history of use. The University reserves the right to extend, limit, restrict, or deny privileges and access to its information resources.

University facilities and accounts are to be used for the activities or purposes for which they are assigned. University computing resources are not to be used for commercial purposes without written authorization from the University.

Users must guard against abuses that disrupt or threaten the viability of any system, including those at the University and those on networks to which the University’s systems are connected or accessible. Abuses include the use of equipment such as wireless access points, wireless routers, cable routers, etc.

Access to information resources without proper authorization from data owners, unauthorized use of University facilities, and intentional corruption or misuse of information resources are direct violations of the University’s standards for conduct as a Christian institution. Consequently, the system is continually monitored to evaluate system usage. Individuals using University systems without authority, or in excess of their authority, are subject to having all of their activities on the systems monitored and recorded by system personnel in conjunction with appropriate University personnel, or local, state, and/or federal authorities.

University of the Cumberlands is not responsible for user data lost or erased from University of the Cumberlands equipment. Any and all data stored on a University of the Cumberlands system is the property of University of the Cumberlands.

System drives will be cleaned periodically, and any data files erased at the discretion of the Computer Center Director/Network Administration. It is the responsibility of the user to make disk copies, or to download to his own equipment any data files he has created or stored on the University of the Cumberlands systems, including email messages and addresses stored in the user’s University of the Cumberlands webmail account.

University of the Cumberlands treats access and use violations of computing facilities, equipment, software, information resources, networks, or privileges seriously. University of the Cumberlands will pursue criminal and civil prosecution of violators when appropriate.

I have read and understand this agreement and will abide by its terms.