6.6 Electronic Media (E-mail, Voicemail, and the Internet)

All electronic media systems, including voicemail, e-mail, the Internet, fax machines, hardware, software, local area networks, files, and all information composed, transmitted, accessed, received, or stored in these systems, are the property of the University of South Alabama. The systems are to be used for conducting University business. The use of this equipment for personal commercial purposes, for personal financial gain or for soliciting outside business ventures for non-University related purposes is strictly prohibited.

Personal use of University computer resources is permitted only when such use is limited, does not consume a significant amount of computing resources, does not interfere with the performance of the user’s job or other University responsibilities or with the work of other employees, does not interfere with the computing activity of other users, and does not violate applicable laws, rules, policies, contracts or licenses.

Certain uses of University computer resources are never permitted. These include the following:

• Interfering with or otherwise inappropriately or illegally intruding on the operation of the University’s computer and telecommunications system, including but not limited to, “hacking” or “cracking.”
• Altering or damaging computer hardware or software.
• Transmitting obscene communications.
• Using unauthorized passwords or circumventing systems security.
• Broadcasting unsolicited messages (“spamming”).
• Invading the privacy of another person.
• Using University resources for personal, commercial, or financial purposes, including the sales of lecture notes or the intellectual property of others.
• Intentionally viewing, downloading, printing, or sending unlawful material, including but not limited to, pornography, threats, or harassing communications.

Employees should never use another employee’s password to access a file or retrieve any stored communication unless authorized to do so.

The University may exercise the right to review, audit, intercept, access and disclose all activities on its systems at any time, with or without employee notice, whether they occur during or after working hours. Employees should have no expectation of personal privacy in connection with the use of these systems. Further limits (including an absolute prohibition of all personal uses of University-provided computing resources) may be imposed upon personal use in accordance with normal departmental supervisory procedures.

Abuse of any aspect or part of the electronic media systems may be grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including termination.