UHCL AUTOMATED INFORMATION SYSTEMS ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY

The University's automated information systems, data processing equipment, information assets, and network systems are a valuable and unique resource dedicated to promoting educational excellence. To allow the University to provide quality, equitable, and cost effective information and communication resources to the educational community, system users must regard it as a shared resource and cooperate as a diverse community for common purposes. It is therefore imperative that users conduct themselves in a responsible, ethical, and polite manner while using these automated information systems. In accordance with the Texas Department of Information Resources and UHCL’s Information Resources Security Policies, all users are expected to abide by the following guidelines as an Automated Information Systems Agreement of Understanding

1. Use of UHCL's automated information systems is for authorized users engaged in educational or research pursuits. Unauthorized use is prohibited and subject to Federal, state, civil, and criminal laws.
2. Use of UHCL's automated information systems for any commercial purpose, including product advertisement, or political lobbying is prohibited. (TAC 201.13b; Vernon’s Annotated Texas Codes 556.004)
3. Users are expected to honor all software license agreements and abide by copyright laws. The University does not knowingly permit its equipment to be used in the violation of such conditions. Failure to honor these agreements and laws could have legal ramifications.
4. Users have their own logon accounts to UHCL's shared automated information systems to provide personal accountability for activities. Computer accounts, passwords and other types of authorization codes should not be shared with others.
5. Users shall not leave a terminal or microprocessor unsecured or unattended when it is logged on to a host computer or network.
6. Users of UHCL's shared automated information systems shall not disrupt other user’s use of the system. This includes distribution of computer viruses or other obstructive programs.
7. Users shall abide by the security procedures for UHCL automated information systems and have the responsibility to report security problems to the University Computing Help Desk at extension 2828 or in B2302.
8. Students are responsible for backing up stored work on their own disks.