Computer, networking and electronic mail facilities and services are offered by the Office of Information Technology in support of the teaching and learning, research and public service functions of the College. Access to the computer systems and networks owned and operated by SUNY Optometry is a privilege, not a right, and imposes certain responsibilities for appropriate use, in accordance with College policy. Users should recognize that the primary intention of providing network service is to support the educational mission of the College and the conduct of its daily business.
In general, appropriate use means respecting the rights of other computer users; the integrity of the physical facilities; all pertinent license, copyright and contractual agreements; as well as local, state and federal laws.
Users are expected to use SUNY Optometry computer and network services in a legal, effective, ethical, responsible and efficient manner, consistent with the instructional, research, public service and administrative goals of the College.
The following issues pertain to computer users at the College in general, but particularly to institutional settings such as faculty, staff and graduate student offices. Computer users are expected to attend to the following issues in a network and institutional context.
Campus network services, equipment, wiring, or jacks may not be altered, moved or extended beyond the location of their intended use without prior coordination with, and written approval of, the Office of Information Technology.
Consult the following listing for current versions of supported software and hardware.
A network account is a privilege, not a right, and the establishment of an account does not grant or guarantee unlimited or unrestricted access. While account holders may expect reasonable access to their network accounts, this cannot be guaranteed at all times and in all circumstances. In particular, there is no guarantee of round-the-clock, seven day a week (24×7) access.
Information Technology staff routinely monitor overall system usage in order to track system problems. This involves the monitoring of overall traffic levels and usage patterns; it does not involve examination of email or other actual content. It is not the practice of the Office of Information Technology to read nor to discuss the content of any files, with the following exceptions:
It may be occasionally necessary for the SUNY Optometry Post Master or other Information Technology staff to make an account inaccessible. This could be necessary for one of two reasons:
User accounts of graduating students will be closed in August following Commencement.
Accounts of faculty/staff who are no longer employed at the College, and students withdrawing from the program, will be closed following completion of the appropriate Separation Form returned to the Student Affairs or Personnel Offices, respectively. Messages sent to closed e-mail accounts will be bounced from the system and returned to sender with an error message.
Violations of this policy may result in the suspension or permanent closing of user accounts, campus disciplinary action, legal action and/or other action.
Adapted from the following documents: Acceptable Use Policy for Computer Facilities at Nassau Community College; Colby College E-mail Policy and Procedures; Computing and Network Facilities Access and Utilization, SUNY Geneseo; Computer Ethics Policy (Purchase College, SUNY); Conditions of Use: University Computing & Information Technology Resources (University at Buffalo); Electronic Mail (Email) Policy at SUNY Potsdam; Guidelines for Ethical Use of Computing Resources (Kansas State University); Information Technology Acceptable Use Policy, SUNY Potsdam; Oklahoma State University Policy on Use of Electronic Mail; SUNY Brockport Computing Code of Ethics; SUNY Oswego Network Acceptable Use Policy; Using Computer Resources at Brown University, and Revising Acceptable Use Policy” to Account for Cultural Developments on the Net” (Cause/Effect, Winter 1997-98).