Confidential Reporting

Student Responsibilities

To protect the quality and reliability of computing and network resources, students must observe the following responsibilities. This list is not comprehensive, but it includes the responsibilities that students accept whenever they choose to use the University's computing resources and/or network, which the University provides:

• Student use of the campus network, the internet, and e-mail must be consistent with the mission and character of VU. VU's information technology resources may not be used for any unauthorized purpose or for any activity that is harmful, illegal, obscene, or harassing. • Students must not apply for a user-ID under false pretenses. Once a student has received a user-ID for access to the VU network, e-mail and computer systems on that network, he/she issolely responsible for all actions taken when thatuser-IDis used. • Students must not share or use another person's user-ID, password or e-mail account. Students should never leave a terminal or PC while logged on and leave it unattended for more than a few minutes. Students should never write down their user-ID and password. Students should also change passwords frequently. • Students must not intentionally seek information about, browse, copy, or modify a file belonging to another person, whether at VU or elsewhere, unless that student has been granted explicit permission by the owner of the file. • Students are authorized to use only computer resources and information to which they have been granted access. Students who encounter or observe a gap in system or network security should immediately report the gap to the manager of that system. Abuse of a discovered gap rather than reporting it can result in disciplinary action. • Students that are not certain they have permission to copy, compile or manipulate software or data should assume that they do not have permission. • The University's policies on harassment apply equally to electronic displays and communications as they do to more traditional means of display and communication. Students must not display or transmit images, sounds or messages that could create an atmosphere of discomfort or harassment for others. • Messages, sentiments, and declarations sent as electronic mail or postings must meet the same standards for distribution or display as printed documents. • Students are not permitted to send spam e-mail to faculty, staff, or students on campus. Email regarding official VU business or events must receive approval through the IT Department and be routed through the division or department sponsoring the event. • Use of the network folder is a privilege for academic purposes. Students are expected to stay within the space limits posted in the main lab. • Students must not degrade computing or network performance in any way that will prevent others from meeting their educational or university business goals. Academic work by students takes precedence over personal usage. • Students are not permitted to use or connect their personal network equipment to the Vanguard Network including wireless routers, network switchers or network hubs. VUIT will provide additional switches if necessary. • Students must not create or willfully disseminate computer viruses. All students should be sensitive to the ease of spreading viruses and should take steps to ensure all files are virus-free. • Students must not install any additional software on VU computer equipment. • Equipment and supplies for VU labs should be treated with care. Any student who abuses equipment or takes supplies from the labs will lose lab privileges and be charged the cost of repair or replacement. Any student who steals equipment will be prosecuted under the law. • Copyrighted programs, songs, movie files, and printed documentation may not be copied, downloaded, distributed to others, or used on any machine outside of the computer labs, unless permitted under the terms of the software licenses between VU and the software manufacturers. Unauthorized copying and downloading is theft. Moreover, students with personal computers on campus are expected to not participate in software pirating or use pirated software. This includes downloading copyrighted digital media (mp3’s, etc.). • The files and programs of other people are private property. It is unethical for students to read, alter, or copy such private programs or files, unless they have explicit permission to do so by the owner. • Members of the VU university community are expected to observe federal, state and local laws which govern computer and telecommunications use, as well as the University's own regulations and policies as outlined in the Student Handbook. Unlawful computer abuse may be prosecuted under California Penal Code Section 502. Penalties can range up to a $10,000 fine and up to three years in prison.

If a member of the community becomes aware of a violation of the community standards committed by a VU student, they are encouraged to report this information to the Office of Residence Life at: • https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?VanguardUniv&layout_id=1

27