Acceptable Use Guidelines
Ferris State University Policies & Guidelines
Ferris State University maintains access to local, state, national, and international networks for the purpose of supporting its fundamental activities of instruction, research, outreach, and administration. Users of the Ferris State University Network are to take necessary measures to safeguard the operational integrity of the systems they access. These guidelines cover all persons accessing computer or network resources through any Residence Hall or University Apartment:
Computer services and wiring may not be modified or extended beyond the area of their intended use. This applies to all network wiring, hardware, and in-room jacks.
The Ferris State University Network may not be used to provide unauthorized network or Internet access to anyone outside the University Community for any purposes.
The provision of network services from user computers (e.g., BBS, Chat, DHCP, DNS, FTP, IRC, NNTP, POP2/POP3, SMTP, WINS, Novell, Linux, Mac or NT servers, web servers etc.) is prohibited. Users who have valid academic need to provide such services from their personal computer must have prior written authorization from the Coordinator of Customer Support (Office: West Building, Ext. 3840) prior to activating any such service(s) on the Ferris State University Network.
University-specific network resources or network resources obtained commercially by the University may not be retransmitted outside the University Community (e.g., University site-licensed software, etc.)
The Ferris State University Network is a shared resource. Network use or applications that inhibit or interfere with the use of the network by others is not permitted. For example, applications that use an unusually large amount of network bandwidth for extended periods of time(e.g., network game servers such as Quake, QuakeII, etc.), and applications designed to send repeated e-mail messages, SPAM, and/or mass e-mail messages, ("e-mail bombs" or "bulk e-mailers") are not permitted.
To conserve network and server resources for all users, pop mail clients (e.g., Eudora, Netscape Messenger, Outlook Express, etc.), if set to automatically retrieve mail from the server, must be set to retrieve mail not more than every thirty (30) minutes. Users may manually retrieve mail as frequently as they wish.
Users are responsible for the security and integrity of their systems. In the case where a computer is "hacked into" it is recommended that the system be either shut down or removed from the network in order to localize any potential damage and to stop the attack from spreading. In such cases, if the owner cannot be contacted in a reasonable amount of time, the Student Technology Services administrators reserve the right to disable the network connection. Once the owner is made aware of the situation and agrees to take reasonable steps to ensure that the computer is not compromised, network privileges may be restored.
Any computer with shared drives or directories that are password protected are considered private, even if others that do not own the computer know the password. Accessing password-protected directories without the express permission of the owner is considered "hacking", and may result in permanent loss of network privileges.
Any unauthorized attempt to access another computer is considered hacking. Any reports received by Student Technology Services that a computer in a Residence Hall or University Apartment attempted to hack into another computer either on or off campus will result in the immediate disabling of the network connection pending an investigation, and may result in disciplinary action. Some examples of hacking are: password cracking programs, port scanning of any computer that is not owned by the person doing the scanning, gaining access or attempting to gain access to another computer without the users permission. Student Technology Services administrators reserve the right to use any and all tools necessary to maintain the integrity of the Ferris State University Network.
The Ferris State University Network may be used only for legal purposes that include: access only to those systems, software, and data for which the user is authorized. Sharing access to copyrighted software or other copyrighted material (including MP3 files from copyrighted music media and movie files) on the network is prohibited.
Respecting the rights of other users (including their rights as set forth in other University policies for faculty, staff, and students) is required at all times on the network. These rights include, but are not limited to privacy, freedom from harrassment, and freedom of expression.
Users are required to know and obey the specific policies established for the systems and networks they access.
Under no circumstances may users give others access to University systems.
The Ferris State University Network is provided for uses consistent with Ferris academic mission. The network may not be used for commercial purposes or for originating unsolicited advertising. Users may not provide open access to file/folders on their computers that contain anything that is protected by copyright (this includes but is not limited to MP3 files from copyrighted music media, movie files, pornographic pictures or movie files), or anything, which would be in violation of the University and or Residential Life's Community Standards.
Forgery or other misrepresentation of one's identity via electronic or any other form of communications, or a violation of these guidelines is a violation of the Student Handbook and may be referred to Student Judicial Services for disciplinary action. Prosecution under state and federal laws may also apply. This includes the use of a forged or false identity when using certain e-mail programs (i.e., pop mail clients such as Eudora, Netscape, Outlook, Outlook Express, etc.)
Administrators of Student Technology Services have the responsibility to protect the rights of other users, to set policies and guidelines consistent with those rights, and to publicize those policies/guidelines to their users. They have the authority to remove network access to anyone who violates these guidelines or who threatens the rights of other users. Student Technology Services administrators have the authority to temporarily suspend user/computer network access if the user/computer has been the source of an alleged violation, pending the investigation of the violation, and satisfactory resolution of the investigation.
Using or traversing the Ferris State University Network constitutes full agreement and understanding of this Acceptable Use Guidelines and any future Acceptable Use Guidelines modifications.
Student Technology Services reserves the right to modify, change, and reformat this document, as it deems necessary without permission or consent of its network users. As updates or a new version of the guidelines is written it will be posted.
330 Oak Street, West 100, Big Rapids, MI 49307-2031
Phone: 231.591.2556 | Fax: 231.591.3880
