Prohibited Behavior

Behaviors considered to violate University policy with respect to computer systems and use include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Sending harassing, intimidating and/or threatening messages through electronic mail or other means;
• Intentionally intercepting, disclosing or using any electronic communication to which authorized access is not explicitly provided. Authorized access includes mail directed to or from an individual, and those messages intended for public consumption (news groups, bulletin boards, broadcast messages);
• Initiating or encouraging the promulgation of chain letters, unauthorized automated or mass postings, or other types of unauthorized large-scale distributions;
• Providing others with access to one's personal computer account(s), or gaining or attempting to gain access to the personal computer accounts, files, or electronic information of others or to accounts, files or systems to which authorized access has not been granted;
• "Hacking" or related behavior attempting to compromise university computer security or the security of remote systems accessed through university equipment or systems;
• Creating or releasing computer viruses or engaging in other destructive or potentially destructive programming activities;
• Disruption of timeshare functions or network traffic by recklessly or intentionally overloading the system or otherwise denying or restricting the access of others; otherwise interfering with the normal operations of computers, systems or peripherals;
• Modifying, altering or otherwise tampering with systems hardware or software unless explicitly authorized to do so;
• Copying for oneself or distributing to others commercial or other copyrighted software or proprietary data which has not been placed in the public domain or been distributed as freeware;
• Use of University computers, systems and/or services to perpetrate fraud, misrepresentation or illegal activity;
• Use of University computers, systems and/or services for commercial purposes or unauthorized financial gain;
• Violation of user room policies, disruption of user room activities, or misuse of computer hardware, software or computing time; and
• Any act chargeable as a violation of local, state or federal law, whether or not charges are brought by civil authorities.

Any of the above behaviors, as well as any other act which violates the Student Computer Use Policy or other university policies or standards, is subject to disciplinary action including, but not limited to, loss or restriction of computing privileges.