Policy

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Use of UW Computing and Networking Resources
Respecting Copyrights
Laws and Policies
Questions and Complaints
More Information

Messages to Faculty, Staff, and Students From the UW Administration

Use of Public Resources for Campaigning - October 10, 2008

Use of UW Computing and Networking Resources

Be aware of laws and policies

UW employees (faculty, staff, and student employees) are expected to be aware of laws and policies relating to their work. Carefully reviewing the resources on this site is strongly recommended as a valuable step in your professional development. In particular, employees should be aware that law and policy relating to the use of state resources prohibit the following:

Using UW computers or networks for personal gain. For example, to sell access to your account or to perform work for profit in a manner not authorized by the University.
Using UW resources for partisan political purposes, such as using email to circulate advertising for political candidates. An exception is students engaging in political activities as part of their educational work.

Protect your passwords

Your UW NetID gives you access to many UW services. While enjoying the many offerings it provides, please be aware that you are also responsible for any use of your UW NetID. So, choose your passwords carefully, change them regularly, and protect them from abuse.

Privacy is important

The UW is strongly committed to ensuring the privacy of personally identifiable information, including personal financial information, educational records, and health records.

Records management and release

Employees should keep in mind that all records (including email) relating to University business are the property of the University and should be maintained in accordance with records management policy and procedure.

Employee (faculty and staff) email correspondence, as well as other records, are covered by UW Guidelines for the Release of University Records. Contact the Office of Public Records and Open Public Meetings for more information.

Email use

Email services at the UW (including UW Email and UW Exchange) are provided to support you in your work and education, as well as to support communication from the UW administration. UW administrative email messages will be sent to faculty, staff, students, and affiliates of the UW.

Your use of email services at the UW should respect others and must not interfere with the operation of UW computers and networks.

Email sent to major groups of UW NetID holders (i.e., bulk email) requires the approval of a dean or vice president.

Free speech

The UW endeavors to respect the First Amendment free speech rights of its students and to provide an educational environment that fosters the free and open expression of many viewpoints to provide a rich, diverse learning experience.

Monitoring

The UW may monitor user activities and access any files or information in the course of performing normal system and network maintenance or while investigating policy or violations. Anyone using UW resources expressly consents to such monitoring and is advised that if such monitoring reveals possible evidence of criminal activity, the UW will provide the evidence to law enforcement officials.

Protecting the UW's infrastructure

As the computing and networking infrastructure of the University of Washington underlies many crucial activities for the entire University community, including hospitals and clinics, the UW's primary responsibility is to protect and sustain the operation of those facilities. As such, the UW may take whatever steps it feels appropriate to remedy or prevent activities that, in the UW's judgment, endanger the orderly operation of UW networks or systems, and/or that threaten the UW's network connections to the Internet and/or other institutions or networks.

Respecting Copyrights

Copyright laws apply to you

You may not copy or use any software, images, music, or other intellectual property (such as books or videos) unless you have the legal right to do so. More information about copyright is available on the UW Copyright Connection site.

Educational institutions are not exempt from the laws covering copyrights. Most software, images, music, and files available for use on computers at the University of Washington are protected by federal copyright laws. In addition, software, images, music, and files normally are protected by a license agreement between the purchaser and the software seller. It is University of Washington policy to respect federal copyright and license protections.

Software and information resources provided through the University for use by students, faculty, and staff may be used on computing equipment only as specified in the various software licenses. It is against University policy for you to copy or reproduce any licensed software on University computing equipment, except as expressly permitted by the software license.
You may not use unauthorized copies of software on University-owned computers or on personal computers housed in University facilities.

Unauthorized use of software, images, music, or files is regarded as a serious matter and any such use is without the consent of the University of Washington. If abuse of computer software, images, music, or files occurs, those responsible for such abuse will be held legally accountable.

Laws and Policies

Laws and policies apply to you

Your use of UW computing and networking resources is governed by:

Extensive federal and state law and policy
Internet acceptable use practices
University of Washington policy
UW Technology policy

All University of Washington policies regarding the appropriate use of University resources and responsible personal conduct apply to your use of UW computing and networking resources. In addition, your use of UW resources must comply with the restrictions and acceptable practices established specifically for these resources. Faculty and staff use of these systems is subject to Washington State law for employees of state agencies.

Evidence of illegal activities or policy violations will be turned over to the appropriate authorities as soon as possible after detection. Depending upon their nature, violations of law or policy will be met with responses including revocation of access, suspension of accounts, disciplinary actions, and prosecution.

Questions and Complaints

Whom to contact

If you have questions about these policies, you can contact the UW Technology Service Center by calling 206-221-5000, sending email to help@u.washington.edu, or using the online Send a Question to UW Technology form.

Allegations of copyright infringement can be sent to uwdmca@u.washington.edu

Private information

If your questions or complaints involve sensitive information or you have a need for privacy, please call 206-221-5000 and ask to speak to a supervisor. You will be directed to the most appropriate official. Do not assume that email is private.