A. Introduction

1. The university prohibits members of the university community from engaging in any activity that damages data, software or university information technology belonging to the university or to someone else, compromises another individual's ability to use computer-related resources, or disrupts or damages university computer-related resources. When any use of information technology at the university presents an imminent threat to other users or to the university's technology infrastructure, the university may take whatever steps are necessary to isolate the threat.

B. Prohibited Uses

1. Prohibited uses of university information technology include those:

a. that are illegal;
b. that are against university policies;
c. that are disrespectful of St. Edward's mission;
d. that are inconsistent with current Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rulings, that threaten the university's tax exempt or other status, e.g. political use, web advertisement, private commercial use, etc.;
e. that interfere with reasonable use by other members of the university community, e.g. sending e-mail purporting to come from someone else (e.g., by using someone's logged-in machine);
f. that interfere with the security, privacy, or responsiveness of networks and systems, e.g. denial of service attacks, hacking, or radio interference from wireless devices, etc..

C. Sanctions

1. Use of information technology that violates this policy and rules based on it may result in disciplinary proceedings and, in some cases in legal action. Disciplinary proceedings involving information technology are the same as those for violations of other University Policies, and may be cause for suspension of computing privileges and/or employment disciplinary actions up to and including termination.

2. The university will cooperate with all branches of law enforcement with the identification and prosecution of individuals who act contrary to university policy and the law. SEU cooperates fully with law enforcement agencies, yet there must still be a court order before SEU surrenders user information to external agencies. Information Technology will cooperate with Human Resources and the Dean of Students in the investigation of alleged violations of this policy.