Purpose.

To define what use staff and students may make of the department's computer systems.

Scope.

All staff, students and visitors using the departments computers or network.

Review.

By ITC on request from ISM or other staff.

Definitions.

ISM

Information Systems Manager.

 

Policy Summary.

The Department provides computers and network for the use of its staff and students whilst they are studying, doing research or working for the department. Access to these computer systems is provided for conducting Departmental related duties or studies, they are not to be used for other activities.

Policy Details.

Access.

The Department provides computers and network for the use of its staff and students whilst they are studying, doing research or working for the department. These conditions cover any use of these systems and are in addition to the University's "Computer and Software Use Regulations" and "The AARNET acceptable use policy"and apply to any person using the Department's network or computers (these computer systems). Access to the Internet is also bound by the Department's "Conditions of Student Access to the Internet".

1. The use of these computer systems is restricted to authorised people. Authorised people may be:
• Students enrolled in an Electrical and Electronic Engineering unit for the current session.
• Members of the Department's staff.
• Visitors to the Department.
• Other persons or groups approved by the Head of Department.
2. Users of these systems are required to produce their Departmental access card when requested by Departmental staff.
3. Restrictions may be put on access to computer Labs. A lab is not available for general usage when a class is being run in it.
4. Restrictions or quotas may be put on the use of resources such as disk space. A charge may be levied to cover the cost of supplying a resource.

Conditions of Use

1. Access to these computer systems is provided for conducting Departmental related duties or studies, they are not to be used for other activities.
2. Where access to these systems is restricted by use of a user name and password or other authentication system, users must not:
• attempt to bypass the authentication system or access material they are not authorised to access;
• allow others to access the system using their authentication;
• use or attempt to use someone else's user name and password or other authentication.
3. Users shall not infringe any copyright or licence agreements.
4. Users of these computer systems shall not access, display, put on their WWW page or print any material which could reasonably cause offence to others, is defamatory, or which is prohibited by law.
5. When accessing computer systems outside the Department users must abide by the policies of those systems.
6. Users shall not attempt to tamper with the computer systems in any way, physically or by software, which might alter or impede its use by others.
7. Users shall not use these systems in a way which interferes with other users of these or other systems or which is otherwise unacceptable.
8. The connection of computing equipment to, or the installation, copying, running or removal of software on these computer systems is forbidden except by permission of the Information Systems Manager or Head of Department.
9. Users who enter into financial or other transactions whilst using these systems do so at their own risk and cost.

Additional conditions for Computer Laboratories and Students

1. No food, drinks are to be brought into any computer lab. No fluids of any description shall be placed on or near the computer systems.
2. Computer laboratory users must not:
• use more than one computer at a time, unless otherwise directed by an authorised person;
• monopolise a computer to the exclusion of others if they are not actively working on it.
• leave a computer locked if they are going to be out of the room or not using it for more than 15 minutes.
3. The computer systems shall not be used for purposes other than the options provided on the systems.
4. Users are required to read and comply with the notices posted in the computer laboratories. They are also to read their email and check the departments network news and WWW at regular intervals, not less than once per week.

The Department reserves the right to:

• modify these conditions at any time;
• collect payment for the use of the computer systems;
• deny access to the computer systems if any of these conditions are breached;
• restrict access to certain sites and or material;
• provide various levels of access for users the computer systems;
• log all usage of these systems using video cameras or other means;
• retain rights, including possible copyright, for information contained on these computer systems;
• deny responsibility for the contents of any off site files accessed from these computer systems;
• deny responsibility for any damage which may result from the use of information accessed through the use of these computer systems;
• disclaim all warranties included in any material accessed through the use of these systems.