Acceptable Use Policy

1.0 Purpose of Information Technology Resources
Primary audience: All
Last modified or reviewed: August 2000 

The primary purpose of East Tennessee State University's information technology resources is to enhance and support the educational mission of the university. Access to ETSU's technology resources is a privilege granted to university students, faculty, staff, and approved guests. These resources include hardware, software, computer accounts and local area networks, as well as connections to other computer networks via the Internet. Everyone using these resources is responsible for using them in an effective, ethical and lawful manner. 

All users must refrain from the following activities:

Using computing facilities to violate any university policy or regulation, or federal, state or local law;

Entering, without authorization, any account to use, read, transfer or change the contents in any way;

Impersonating or misrepresenting another individual's computer account or e-mail username; 

Granting another individual access to your computer account;

Using computing resources to interfere with the work of other students, faculty or university officials;

Using computing facilities to send obscene, abusive, threatening, defamatory, or harassing messages;

Using computing resources to interfere with the normal operation of university computing systems and connected networks including, but not limited to, introducing viruses, flooding the network with messages, sending chain letters, or unfairly monopolizing resources that results in the exclusion of others;

Using university computing resources for profit or commercial purposes. 

Intentional failure to comply with this policy will result in disciplinary action, which may include suspension of user privileges, suspension or expulsion from ETSU, or termination of university employment. In addition, violations may result in referral for prosecution by local, state or federal authorities.