Tags: academic freedom, atmosphere, background purposes, board of governors, circumstances, communications facilities, communications services, executive vice, faculties, faculty staff, implementation procedures, information technology facilities, mutual respect, open inquiry, provost, public discourse, scholarship, university of british columbia, use of information technology, vice president academic,
Policy No.: Approval Date:
November 2000
The University of British Columbia 104 Last Revision:
Board of Governors June 2005
Responsible Executive:
Vice-President, Academic and Provost
Vice-President, Learning & Research
(UBC Okanagan)
Title:
Responsible Use of Information Technology Facilities and Services
Background & Purposes:
This policy applies to faculty, staff and students and is intended for the general support of and to provide a foundation for
responsible use of UBC's information technology facilities. The Responsible Executive may adopt guidelines and procedures
consistent with this policy. In addition, faculties and departments may adopt implementation procedures that reflect local
circumstances, provided they too are consistent with this Policy.
1. General
1.1. The University of British Columbia (the "University") encourages research and scholarship to increase
knowledge and understanding. It upholds the academic freedom of all members of the University to engage
in open inquiry and public discourse in an atmosphere of mutual respect.
1.2. Computing and communications facilities (including any University owned or University leased
computing, telephone and communications services, equipment and facilities) shall be used in a manner
which is consistent with the requirements of the University.
1.3. Computer IDs, accounts, and other communications facilities are to be used for authorized purposes.
Incidental personal use is acceptable as long as it does not interfere with use of the facility for its intended
purpose and, in the case of employees, as long as it does not interfere with his or her job performance.
1.4. Users are prohibited from accessing other users' computer IDs or accounts and communications, without
specific prior authorization from the appropriate administrative head of unit.
1.5. Users are responsible for the uses to which their computing accounts are put. Users must not share the
passwords to any accounts to which they have access.
1.6. Users must not misrepresent their identity as senders of messages nor the content of such messages.
1.7. Breaches of this Policy may be subject to the full range of disciplinary and other formal actions. In addition
to any other sanctions that the University may levy in the event of a violation, UBC may withdraw
computing privileges and network access.
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1.8. All users must adhere to University policies and all laws that govern the use of the University's computing
and communication facilities. Applicable legislation includes, but is not limited to, the Criminal Code of
Canada, the B.C. Civil Rights Protection Act, the B.C. Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy
Act, and the B.C. Human Rights Code.
2. Privacy and Security
2.1. Users must
2.1.1. preserve the privacy of data to which they have access;
2.1.2. respect the privacy of others by not tampering with e-mail, files, or accounts they use; and
2.1.3. respect the integrity of computing systems and data.
2.2. For example, users must not: intentionally develop programs or make use of already existing programs to
harass other users, infiltrate a computer or computing system, damage or alter the components of a
computer or computing system, gain unauthorized access to other facilities accessible via the network, or
inappropriately use the telephone system.
2.3. The University reserves the right to limit, restrict or extend computing privileges and access to its
computing and communications resources, including all information stored therein.
2.4. No guarantees can be given for the privacy of files but the user community can be assured that system
administrators will not examine personal files without the individual's knowledge, except in emergencies
or under unusual circumstances.
2.5. The University will comply with all applicable legislation including the B.C. Freedom of Information and
Protection of Privacy Act especially with respect to the sale of personal information (such as names and
addresses) to third parties.
3. Intellectual Property
3.1. Users must respect the legal protection provided by copyright laws for computer programs and data
compilations and for all other works (literary, dramatic, artistic or musical). Also, users must respect the
legal protection provided by trademark law and the common law for names, marks, logos, and other
representations that serve to distinguish the goods or services of one person from another.
3.2. Users must respect the rights of others by complying with all University policies regarding intellectual
property regardless of medium (i.e. paper or electronic).
4. Freedom of Expression
4.1. The University does not and will not act as a censor of information available on our campus network but
will comply with applicable legislation. To the extent that the latter requires specifically identified
information to be banned pursuant to a court order, the University will comply.
5. Discrimination and Harassment
5.1. Users must recognize that the University, as a community sharing a commitment to study and learning,
upholds the principles of academic freedom, mutual respect and equality of opportunity for all. The
University's Policy on Discrimination and Harassment specifically prohibits discrimination and harassment
on any of the protected grounds as identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including but not limited
to, age, ancestry, colour, family status, marital status, physical or mental disability, political belief, place of
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origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and unrelated criminal conviction. With respect to penalties
and sanctions, related documents include, but are not limited to, the student discipline policy, collective
agreements with faculty and staff, and the terms of employment applicable to non-unionized staff.
6. Examples of Illegal Uses
6.1. The following are representative examples only and do not comprise a comprehensive list of illegal uses:
6.1.1. uttering threats (by computer or telephone);
6.1.2. distribution of pornographic materials to minors;
6.1.3. child pornography;
6.1.4. pyramid schemes; and
6.1.5. copyright infringement.
7. Examples of Unacceptable Uses
7.1. The following are representative examples only and do not comprise a comprehensive list of unacceptable
uses:
7.1.1. seeking information on passwords or data belonging to another user;
7.1.2. making unauthorized copies of proprietary software, or offering unauthorized copies of proprietary
software to others;
7.1.3. copying someone else's files, or programs, or examining such information unless authorized;
7.1.4. attempting to circumvent computer security methods or operating systems (e.g. subverting or
obstructing a computer or network by introducing a worm or virus);
7.1.5. using University-provided computer accounts for commercial purposes such as promoting by
broadcast non-educational profit-driven products or services;
7.1.6. intercepting or examining the content of messages, files, or communications in transit on a voice or
data network;
7.1.7. interfering with the work of other users of a network or with their host systems, seriously
disrupting the network (e.g. chain letters or spamming), or engaging in any uses that result in the
loss of another user's files or system; and
7.1.8. harassing or discriminatory telephone messages.
8. System Administrators
8.1. This policy shall not be construed as preventing or restricting duly authorized system administrators or
other technical personnel from carrying out their duties. Complaints under this policy may be directed to
the administrative head of a unit or to the Associate Vice President, Information Technology.
9. Note
9.1. This Policy is not intended to set forth an exhaustive list relating to the use of University computing
resources. All users continue to be subject to all applicable laws and university policies (see UBC Policy
Website http://www.universitycounsel.ubc.ca/policies).
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