Current through all regulations passed and filed through September 16, 2024
(A)
Purpose. To ensure compliance with the university
policy on responsible use of information technology, Kent state university
establishes the following administrative policy which supplements university
policy and any guidelines or regulations developed by individual units of the
university, as well as applicable federal and state laws.
(B)
User
responsibilities.
(1)
University assigned accounts ("UserID"), computer and
network access accounts are for the personal use of that individual only.
Accounts are to be used for the university-related activities for which they
are assigned.
(2)
Sharing of access. Computer accounts, passwords, and
other types of authorization are assigned to individual users and should not be
shared with others. Individual users are responsible for the use of their
accounts. If an account is shared or the password divulged, the holder of the
account may lose all account privileges and be held personally responsible for
any actions that arise from the misuse of the account.
(3)
Unauthorized
access. Individual users may not run or otherwise configure software or
hardware to intentionally allow access by unauthorized users.
(4)
Termination of
access. When individual users cease being a member of the campus community
(i.e., withdraw, graduate, or terminate employment or otherwise leave the
university), or if an individual user is assigned a new position and/ or
responsibilities within Kent state university, access authorization may be
reviewed. Users must not use facilities, accounts, access codes, privileges or
information for which they are not authorized.
(5)
Circumventing
security. Users are prohibited from attempting to circumvent or subvert any
system's security measures. Users are prohibited from using any computer
program or device to intercept or decode passwords or similar access control
information.
(6)
Breaching security. Deliberate attempts to degrade the
performance of a computer system or network or to deprive authorized personnel
of resources or access to any Kent state university computer or network is
prohibited. Breach of security includes, but is not limited to, the
following:
(a)
Creating or knowingly propagating viruses;
(b)
Hacking;
(c)
Password cracking;
(d)
Unauthorized
viewing of others' files;
(e)
Willful modification of hardware and software
installations.
(7)
Abuse of campus computer resources is prohibited and
includes, but is not limited to:
(a)
Unauthorized monitoring. A user may not use computer
resources for unauthorized monitoring of electronic
communications.
(b)
Spamming. Posting a personal or private commercial
message to multiple list servers, distribution lists or news groups with the
intention of reaching as many users as possible is prohibited.
(c)
Private
commercial purposes. The computing and networking resources of campus shall not
be used for personal or private commercial purposes or for financial
gain
(C)
Enforcement.
Users who violate this policy may be denied access to university computing
resources and may be subject to other penalties and disciplinary action, both
within and outside of the university. Violations will normally be handled
through the university disciplinary procedures applicable to the relevant user.
The university may temporarily suspend or block access to an account, prior to
the initiation or completion of such procedures, when it reasonably appears
necessary to do so in order to protect the integrity, security or functionality
of university or other computing resources or to protect the university from
liability. The university may also refer suspected violations of applicable law
to appropriate law enforcement agencies.
(D)
Reporting. Anyone
who learns of misuse of software, hardware, or networks may report the activity
by contacting the helpdesk at 330-672-HELP (4357) or helpdesk@kent.edu. The
call will be referred to the appropriate unit.
Replaces: 3341-9- 01.1
