Charles Sturt University Handbook 2002

This Code of Conduct is to facilitate the efficient, effective, responsible and lawful use of the University's electronic facilities, thereby safeguarding the interests of all users and of the University.

The Code applies to all users of the University's electronic facilities including staff, students and other authorised users, wherever they may be using the facilities.

The Code applies to all of the University's electronic facilities, irrespective of the division, faculty or other unit providing the facilities, and whether the facilities are located on a campus or site of the University or elsewhere.

computer hardware (free standing computers, networked computers, time shared computers, terminals);
peripherals (for example, printers, scanners, mobile telephones when connecting to the network and electronic cameras when connecting to the network);
media (CD Roms, disks);
computer software;
network connections;
operating and user manuals;
provided by the University whether or not they are owned by the University.

Where this Code refers to written authorisation, that authority is vested in the Executive Director, Division of Information Technology

1. Use electronic facilities, files and information only for University-related activities.

3. Use only computer software or versions of software authorised for use on the University's electronic facilities by the Division of Information Technology. This will avoid problems of incompatibility with the University computing environment.

4. Use the facilities in the computer laboratories only for course related purposes. Use of the facilities for other purposes must be approved by the Computer Centre Manager.

In the Code, an attempt to perform a prohibited action will be considered a breach of the Code, whether or not the attempt was successful.

You will be accountable for breaches of this Code committed under your account, if it is established that you allowed your account to be used by another person or you did not take reasonable steps to safeguard the security of your account.

2. Do not use any other person's computer account even with the owner's permission unless it is an approved group account to which you are granted access.

3. Do not attempt to discover any other user's password by any means including the use of cracking programs.

4. Do not infringe the University's security systems (hack) or use the University's electronic facilities to breach the security of systems accessible via the networks provided by the University.

5. Do not, without written authorisation, copy, disclose or transfer any computer software provided to you by the University if such action violates software licences or copyright.

6. Do not introduce software (eg. viruses) designed to disrupt or destroy programs and/or data, or in other ways sabotage the University's electronic facilities.

obtain or attempt to obtain a higher level of privilege (for example, increased disk allocation or print quotas) on any electronic facility;
modify any equipment or software;
deliberately degrade the performance of any system;
alter any restrictions associated with any computer system, computer account, network system, or personal computer software protection;
hide directories or files on the central academic computing facilities.

8. Do not, without written authorisation, examine, copy, rename, change or delete the programs, files, data, messages or information belonging to other users, or the University.

9. Do not use the University's electronic facilities to harass or interfere with the work of other users. In particular, do not transfer, publish or display material or messages that are obscene, abusive, threatening, fraudulent or repetitive. Chain Letters and junk mail must not be sent on University facilities.

10. Do not, without written authorisation, use the University's electronic facilities for profit making or commercial activities on your own behalf or on behalf of others.

11. Do not abuse the electronic facilities or services provided by the University. In particular, do not:

smoke, eat or drink while using or near electronic equipment;
tamper with the equipment (report all faults and malfunctions to the appropriate authority);
leave workstations or their surrounds in an untidy or unsightly condition;
steal paper from printers;
collect or discard any output without the owner's permission;
play computer games or use the facilities for recreational purposes;
work in a noisy or other way which distracts other users;
remove, deface or corrupt notices placed by authorised staff regarding the use of the University's electronic facilities;
allow another user to benefit from your printing credit.

1. Students and other authorised users are advised to promptly report any breaches of this Code.

2. Breaches may be reported to either a Computer Centre Manager or the Executive Director, Division of Information Technology.

3. Reports may be made in person, in writing, by telephone or by email and they will be treated confidentially.

The Executive Director
Division of Information Technology
Locked Bag 588
WAGGA WAGGA 2678

For telephone or email contact details consult the University Communications Directory on the WWW - http://www.csu.edu.au/phonebook/.

1. Breaches of this Code by staff will be dealt with under the relevant industrial award or registered industrial agreement or, if no such award or agreement applies, under the University By-law.

2. Breaches of this Code by students and other authorised users will be dealt with under the Student General Misconduct Rule of the Council. Under the Rule, a student or other authorised user may be banned from using a facility for up to two weeks by the person in charge of the facility, and following an investigation of the alleged breach could be:

cautioned or reprimanded; or
required to pay for damages or expenses; or
fined; or
suspended from using a facility; or
suspended from the University for up to two years; or
given a combination of the above penalties; or
expelled for a period of at least two years without the automatic right of re-enrolment.