Computer and Network Use Policy

Below, the University sets forth terms and conditions for the use of Computing Resources. Listings of specific acceptable and unacceptable uses are illustrative examples and are not meant to be exhaustive. The University is the sole and conclusive authority on questions relating to acceptable uses of its resources. If a question about use arises, the use should be considered "prohibited" until the University directs otherwise.

Acceptable Uses
Computing Resources are available for use only by University faculty, staff, students, administrators and other authorized users. Moreover, use of such resources, other than laptop computers provided pursuant to the Academic Computing Initiative or personally owned devices, is restricted for tasks related to the educational, research and administrative objectives of the University and the University's mission.

Prohibited Uses
Computing Resources may be used only for purposes that are legal, ethical and consistent with the University's mission. The following activities are examples of prohibited behaviors with respect to the use of Computing Resources:

• Altering system software or hardware configurations, or disrupting or interfering with the delivery or administration of computer resources. 
• Tampering with the anti-virus software installed on University owned or provided devices or networks or failure to use updated anti-virus software when accessing a University network.
• Attempting to access or accessing the University's or another user's account, private files, or e-mail without the owner's permission.
• Attempting to access or accessing systems outside of the University without authorization of that system's owner.
• Misrepresenting one's identity in electronic communication.
• Infringing upon the intellectual property rights of others in computer programs or electronic information, including plagiarism and unauthorized use or reproduction in violation of patents, trademarks and copyrights and/or software and other licensing agreements. (See "Copyrighted Material" provision, infra)
• Circumventing or attempting to circumvent software or hardware security systems.
• Installing software (including games) on University-provided computing equipment (other than laptops provide in accordance with the Academic Computing Initiative) without obtaining authorization in advance. The University reserves the right to remove software that violates this policy without advance notice to the user.
• Using computing resources to engage in conduct which intentionally interferes with others' use of shared computing resources. This includes consuming gratuitously large amounts of system resources (e.g. Internet bandwidth, disk space, CPU time) and exceeding time limits where they have been established in University facilities such as microlabs and libraries.
• Using computing and/or electronic mail resources for commercial or personal profit-making purposes or for solicitation or for activities which violate local, state or federal law.
• Allowing or assisting unauthorized users to gain access to computing resources.
• Failing to comply with all applicable laws concerning the transmission, receipt or monitoring of wireless and wired communications. 
• Intercepting or monitoring, or attempting to intercept or monitor, network communications or other communications not intended for that user's access without prior authorization.
• Creating programs that secretly collect information about users.
• Using computing resources, including electronic mail, to send nuisance messages such as chain letters, junk mail and profane, obscene, threatening, libelous or harassing messages.
• Using the University's logos or insignias without written permission from the appropriate University authority.
• Displaying, posting, printing or sending material that is contrary to the mission or values of the University, including obscene, pornographic, sexually explicit or offensive material. The information distributed through  the University's computing and networking facilities is a form of publishing and is subject to some of the same standards as other types of publications.
• Intentionally or negligently distributing malicious software, such as computer worms, viruses or Trojan horses.
• Engaging in acts of academic dishonesty.

Using the University's Networks and Internet Access with Personal Devices

The University makes networks and the Internet available to users for their personal devices via wireless connections. Personal devices such as gaming systems, computing devices, printers, TVs, etc, are not permitted to connect to the network via wired connection. The University does not guarantee the privacy of wireless transmissions, and does not guarantee that the WLAN will provide uninterrupted and/or error-free wireless communications. Use of networks and Internet access is subject to the following additional terms and conditions. 

Authorized users are permitted to connect their own computing devices to the University's network or Internet connection after contacting the Department of Information Technology to arrange such access. A user's computer hardware must meet certain specification prerequisites and may require that certain software or operating system security updates to be installed (particularly with respect to connection to a wireless network). These specifications are subject to change. The University does not guarantee that all computers, even those that meet the specification prerequisites, will be able to access WLAN (except computing devices provided by the University). No device will be granted access to a network unless it has current anti-virus software properly installed. 

Users are prohibited from accessing any portion of a network that they have not been authorized to access, and may not provide access to any network to anyone who does not have University authorization for such access. Users are prohibited from circumventing or attempting to circumvent network security systems. Network privileges may be revoked at any time, temporarily or permanently, at the discretion of the University for violation of the Computer and Network Use Policy.

Users are prohibited from utilizing personal routers, hubs, servers, or any similar devices while connected to the University's network. Connecting a personal wireless printer on the network is not currently supported. 

The use of Computing Resources in violation of international and federal copyright laws is strictly prohibited.  These federal laws provide to the author of an original work, whether that work is a video, a sound recording, software, or printed material, the exclusive rights to reproduce, adapt, publish, perform and display that work.  Anyone other than the copyright holder is required to obtain the express permission of the copyright holder to use the work for any of these purposes.

One prohibited use of the University's computing resources is the use of the Internet to download and share copyrighted music and video in violation of copyright laws.  In addition to violating University policy and the law, file-sharing programs that permit these activities also may impair the University's broadband system because their use causes a strain on the University's broadband capabilities and other network resources.  For these reasons, the downloading, or making available for others to download, a copyrighted movie, television show or sound recording without permission of the copyright holder is a violation of University policy.  In furtherance of this policy, the University has, and will continue, to create technologies to identify and disable access to file-sharing websites that facilitate the violation of applicable law and University policy.  A listing of such sites will be published on MYSJU.  In the event that you desire to legally download any file that may strain the University's broadband capabilities, please contact the Department of Information Technology to arrange for a time and place to do so.

Fair Use of Copyrighted Material
Creation of web pages and other materials for educational and research purposes may involve incorporation of original works of third parties (e.g., printed material, video and sound recordings, multimedia presentations, software) that are covered by copyright laws. Copyright owners are granted five exclusive rights by the copyright law: reproduction, adaption, publication, performance and display.

These exclusive rights, however, are subject to the "Fair Use" doctrine. "Fair Use" is a privilege of persons other than the copyright owner to use the copyrighted material in a reasonable manner without his/her consent notwithstanding the monopoly granted to the owner by the copyright.

A finding of fair use is not easily determined. However, there are four nonexclusive statutory factors to be considered in determining whether a use is fair. They are:

1. The purpose and character of the use, including whether the use is for commercial purposes or for non-profit educational purposes.
2. The nature of the work, including whether the work is creative or informational and published or unpublished.
3. The amount used in relation to the work as a whole, considering both quantitative and qualitative substantiality. No quantification of use limits exists by statute.
4. The effect of the use on the potential market for or the value of the work.  (The greater the effect on market or value, the less the likelihood that the use will be fair.)

Developers of web pages are especially cautioned to recognize that access to their pages by individuals from outside the University community may impact one or more of the above factors. Consistent with principles of fair use, authors are responsible for obtaining all permissions that may be necessary to incorporate works of third parties into their own work.  The University rules governing attribution require that all users of University computing networks acknowledge any usage of ideas or materials produced by others by identifying the source and nature/extent of indebtedness.

Consistent with the purposes for which the University's Computing Resources are intended, Web pages may be created and posted only in support of the instructional, research and administrative objectives of the University. Web pages may not include any advertising, nor may they be used in support of any commercial or business activities. The content of Web pages and their compliance with this policy is the sole responsibility of the author.

The University reserves the right to restrict the content of or remove Web pages for violation of these or any University policies, including for causing excessive traffic to the University's Web servers.

St. John's University is pleased to have undertaken the Academic Computing Initiative Program (the “ACI Program”), which offers portable computing devices (currently laptop computers) to eligible students for use during their studies at the University. Eligible students have the option to opt-into the Academic Computing Initiative Program (the “ACI Program”), which provides them with a laptop to use until they graduate from the University, subject to certain terms and conditions.  A laptop usage fee will be applied to the student’s bill every semester until they graduate.

Students eligible to participate in the Academic Computing Initiative will receive a portable computing device ("Computer"). (“Computer” refers to the portable computing device and any other peripherals, software, or attachments furnished with the Computer. ) The Computer remains the property of the University until the student graduates from a University program with a bachelor's degree, or fulfills 8 Laptop Usage Fee payments, whichever comes first.  After which time title and certain licenses will be transferred to the student without any warranty, including any and all implied warranties, provided that s/he has met all financial responsibilities to the University. After title is transferred, the University will have no responsibility for the Computer whatsoever, including with respect to warranties, support, software, repairs or disposal.

Students are required to return the Laptop to the University if enrollment at the University is terminated either by them or by the University prior to graduation. A student must return the Laptop upon informing the University of the intention to withdraw from all classes or if the student breaches any term of this Academic Computing Initiative policy.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the University may, in its sole discretion, opt to return the laptop to a student, when they are registered for 12 or more credits for a subsequent Fall or Spring semester and meets financial responsibilities for such credits, or cures their breach of this policy, whichever is applicable.  If the student does not return the Laptop within three business days after any of the above triggering events, the University will put a hold on the student's record (which will prevent future registration with the University and the release of transcripts), and place a $800 non-return charge on the student's University account. The hold and charge will be removed when the Laptop is returned to the University in good working condition, or if the student pays the $800 non-return charge.

Students are responsible for the care of the Laptop.  Any repairs required as a result of negligence, misuse, or intentional damage will be subject to the full cost of repairs as well as a fee of $400 for a first loss and $1000 for a second loss. Theft claims that are denied after submission will be charged a $400 stolen fee. These fees must be paid in full prior to issuing a refurbished functionally equivalent replacement laptop.

If the Laptop is lost or stolen, the student is required to immediately report it to the Department of Public Safety and comply with their procedures, including filing an official report with the appropriate police department within 10 days of the theft, and submitting a copy of the theft report to the University within 20 days. If the Laptop is damaged or malfunctioning, the student must bring the Laptop to the Information Technology Department Laptop Service Center for assessment and/or repair. The University will provide the student with a temporary replacement Laptop during the repair process, the terms and conditions for the use of which are identical to those set forth in this policy, except that the loaned Laptop must be returned to the University immediately upon the University's written request for such return; a $20 per day charge will be assessed for each day after the third business day following the University's request for return. The University shall take all reasonable efforts to enforce any manufacturer's warranty, provided that the University shall not be obligated to commence or resort to any litigation to enforce such warranty. If a student's Laptop is stolen, lost or damaged beyond repair, the student will receive a refurbished functionally equivalent replacement laptop, provided that all of the student's financial obligations under this policy are met; After thorough evaluation, students are only eligible for 2 replacements.

Students agree to the following terms and conditions for participating in the Academic Computing Initiative:

1. Upon the request of the University's Information Technology Department, the student agrees to deliver the Laptop to that department on the date specified to verify inventory/asset information; failure to do so will result in a fine of $50.
2. The student agrees to adhere to all of the provisions of this Laptop and Network Use Policy, and otherwise to use the Laptop in accordance with the University policies and procedures.
3. The Student agrees to comply with all applicable laws, including copyright and intellectual property laws pertaining to the use of software and the downloading of files from the Internet.
4. The student agrees that it is his/her responsibility to regularly backup all data from the Laptop onto an alternative storage media, including prior to bringing the Laptop for repair.
5. The student agrees not to assign, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of the Laptop, or any interest therein, or lend the Laptop or otherwise permit it to be possessed or used by anyone.
6. The student agrees not to remove or alter any identification labels, plaques, tags or mechanisms, or security devices, displayed or installed on the Laptop; doing so will result in a fine of $100.
7. The student agrees not to make any alterations in, make improvements to, or add attachments, peripherals or hardware to, the Laptop, other than attaching peripherals to established ports.
8. The student agrees not to install on the Laptop or otherwise use software for which you have no license.
9. The student agrees not to alter, disable or otherwise interfere with the anti-virus software pre-loaded on the Laptop.
10. The University has arranged for certain software updates, including for anti-virus software, to be downloaded to your Laptop through the University network. The student agrees that when such updates are available, the student will permit them to be downloaded.
11. The student agrees that the Information Technology Department will be the sole determiner of whether you have breached any of these conditions, or any other material term of this Academic Computing Initiative policy. Any such breach will permit the University, at its sole discretion, to terminate the student's participation in the Academic Computing Initiative program, in which case the student agrees to immediately return the Laptop to the Information Technology Department.

The University is not responsible for any losses, injuries, damages, claims, and expenses (including legal expenses), incurred by the student caused by the transportation, possession, ownership, maintenance, and use of the Laptop. The student agrees to indemnify and hold the University harmless against any claims for such losses, injuries, damages, claims and expenses. This indemnity shall survive the expiration of this policy.

Each user is responsible for his or her own activities in using the University's Computing Resources, and will indemnify and hold harmless the University from any liability to the user or any third party arising out of the use of the computing resources by the user or any loss of information existing or stored on the University's computing equipment or resources, including all files and electronic mail.

Ownership of intellectual property (with the exception of traditional works of scholarship of creativity, such as textbooks and instructional material) produced through significant use of the University's computing equipment, networks and information resources shall reside with St. John's University. In instances where such materials are sold, licensed or otherwise marketed, royalties on revenue shall be shared between the University and the authors of such materials in accordance with the University's patent and intellectual property policies.

Unless otherwise specified, access to Computing Resources at St. John's University will be through a control mechanism that provides for identification of authorized users. In addition, this mechanism will specify the location where authorized users can store or access data files. Users are expected to access only those resources that have been explicitly made available to them through this control mechanism. Users of computing resources are fully responsible for the protection of their user account including system ID codes and passwords.

• Users must not share computer accounts, passwords or other types of authorization.
• Users are afforded exclusive use of all data files, information files and messages stored in their accounts and may expect that their data files and e-mail will remain private. This, however, does not imply that users are necessarily the owners of these data.
• The University may take all reasonable actions to ensure the integrity of its Computing Resources, including prevention of damage to data and equipment, irrespective of any asserted privacy interests.

The Department of Information Technology as the business unit that operates and manages Computing Resources at the University, has instituted commercially acceptable and reasonable internal mechanisms and controls to safeguard the privacy of data stored in our systems although no system is impenetrable to security breaches. These mechanisms require that specific privileges be given to personnel responsible for the maintenance of computer systems. These rights are afforded to ensure proper operation of the systems and will not be used as a method for accessing private information, except as necessary for maintenance of the systems or for investigation of policy violations, or as directed by appropriate legal authorities.

Violations of this policy constitute unacceptable use of Computing Resources.  Violations may result in a loss of computing privileges and may subject users to the University's regular disciplinary processes, including suspension or dismissal from the University.

Whether or not a violation of this policy has occurred, the University reserves the right to immediately suspend computing privileges when continued use of any Computing Resources may result in harm to or otherwise compromise that or any other Computing Resources.  Such privileges will be restored after the potential harm is eliminated (e.g., a virus on a personal computer is deleted), unless a material violation of this policy is alleged, in which case the matter will be referred to the regular disciplinary processes of the University.

In addition, illegal acts involving University Computing Resources may also subject violators to prosecution by local, state and/or federal authorities. Suspected or known violations should be reported to the appropriate University authority, in accordance with current disciplinary procedures. Violations will be processed in accordance with these procedures and/or law enforcement agencies.

Except as expressly provided herein, St. John's University makes no warranties, either express or implied, as to the merchantability, fitness, design or condition of, or the quality of the material or workmanship in any Computer Resource, including portable computing device computers provided through the University's Academic Computing Initiative and software for which licenses are granted to users, and does not warrant that the functionality of Computing Resources will meet a user's specific requirements.  The University expressly disclaims all warranties not stated herein.  St. John's University shall not be liable for any losses, injuries, damages, including incidental or consequential damages, claims, expenses (including legal expenses), lost profits, lost savings, including for loss of data, that is the result of the use, inability to use, interruption or error in any Computing Resource, including network and Internet service. 

The University, through its networks, provides access to a large number of conferences, lists, bulletin boards, and Internet information services. These materials are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or reviewed by the University. Therefore, the University takes no responsibility for the truth or accuracy of the content found within these information sources. Some of these sources may contain material that is offensive or objectionable to some users or would violate this policy if published by an authorized user. The University cannot protect individuals against the existence or receipt of material that may be offensive to them. Furthermore, those members of the University community who use e-mail or make information about themselves available on the Internet must recognize that the University cannot protect them from invasions of privacy and other possible dangers that could result from an individual user's distribution of personal information.

Depending on an individual's role, the University may provide ONE computing device, on a 4-year refresh cycle.  If employment status or job role changes, continued use of any assigned technology device may change. If employment ends, all technology equipment issued by Information Technology must be returned.

All SJU-Issued devices must be kept in compliance with hardware and software requirements, as detailed by the Information Security department. Failure to keep devices in compliance may result in loss of software support, hardware support, and/or network support.  To inquire about the latest compliance requirements, please submit a support request: https://ithelp.stjohns.edu

This device is to be used for all job functions, and the user must be in compliance with the above University Computer and Network Use Policy.  Any additional devices, adapters, peripherals, etc. would need to be purchased by your department. Information Technology can offer guidance for these items. 

The roles defined by the University and the device assignments are as follows:

FT Admin/Staff –  A university-standardized-spec Windows-OS laptop computer with one AC power adapter. Any additional devices, adapters, peripherals, or device upgrade requests, etc., would need to be purchased by your department. Information Technology can offer guidance for these items. 

FT Faculty – All FT faculty are covered by the University’s Academic Computing Initiative, which allows each faculty member to receive a laptop. Any additional devices, adapters, peripherals, etc., would need to be purchased by your department. Information Technology can offer guidance for these items. 

Adjunct Faculty – Are not eligible for computer hardware. 

Part-Time Staff – Are not eligible for computer hardware. Based on the department's needs, they may be assigned a shared desktop, and the request must come from the department manager.

Affiliate – Contract workers hired by a 3rd-party company and assigned to a department may receive a University computer based on the needs of the department and written justification submitted by the supervisor of the affiliate and department head.

Dual Role – Faculty that also serve as advising deans or have administrative functions are assigned only one computing device. Please select your primary role. 

Student-workers / Graduate Assistants – Not considered an FTE.  They are not eligible for computer hardware.  However, upon request, if a department has a large number of Student Workers, the IT department at its discretion, may provide a shared desktop based on the need and at a ratio of 2:1 (two student workers to every one PC).

Grant machines – If the faculty has grant funds to buy computer hardware, they may choose to purchase the University standard or forego all support. Machines that do not meet our standards will not be joined to the network domain or be eligible for University software or support.

**Please note: If an AC Power adapter that was provided with the device has acquired physical damage or has become missing (whether stolen or lost), it is NOT covered by the warranty or insurance. If a replacement is needed, it would have to be purchased by your department. Information Technology can provide guidance as to the specifics of the replacement. The warranty only provides replacement of the AC Power adapter when it has malfunctioned without physical damage present.