“Policy” means this Policy and includes the Schedules and Procedures incorporated by reference;“Schedule” means a Schedule to this Policy.Further definitions appear in the relevant Schedules.
The University of Ballarat provides students and staff with access to computing and communications services in support of its teaching, learning, research and administrative activities. These facilities include: -
- Access to a data communications network, which links the majority of University computers on campus. The University Network is connected to an external network linking the University with external people, organisations and data that is commonly referred to as the Internet.
- Access to a range of Internet based services such as eMail, the World Wide Web andnewsgroups.
- Access to external High Performance Computing facilities.
- Access to various printing facilities.
- An after hours access card system, allowing students access to some laboratories after business hours, upon purchase of an access card.
- An integrated data network across all campuses, with individual logins for staff and students providing access to personal and shared storage space on the network and individual eMail accounts.
- Information Help Desk ext. 9579
- Student computer laboratories located across all campuses offering PC Windows based workstations and Apple Macintosh laboratories at Camp St and SMB Campuses.
Set out below are the terms governing the use of these facilities. The University may revise these terms from time to time.
These terms apply to all users and apply to use of all information technology and communication systems. Users will be required to sign or indicate their acceptance of the terms prior to obtaining access to information technology and communications systems. Regardless use of any such facilities indicates acceptance of these terms. If unsure of the meaning of any of these terms, seek advice from the Information Help Desk prior to use – phone ext 9579.
Who Can Use The Facilities?
The following categories of people are permitted access to the computing and communication facilities:
-
Students of the University for learning and research activities
-
Academic, teaching and general staff who require access to the Internet as part of their duties
-
Associated individuals (visiting fellows, honorary research associates)
-
University based student and staff associations and
-
Participants in Cooperative Research Centres and other collaborative bodies.
These categories are governed by University policy and legislation and may alter over time.
The University provides access to standalone or networked personal computers, to multi-user computers and to other IT resources accessible via the on-campus networks.
It is expected that all users will make use of University computing and communications facilities in a manner, which is ethical, lawful, effective, efficient, and not to the detriment of others.
In some cases external conditions of use apply. For example, the University must ensure all of its Internet traffic relates to its teaching, learning, research and administrative activities as per Australian Academic & Research Network (AARNet) usage policy.
Some services are provided on a cost recovery basis. Laser printing and colour printing are available on a fee-for-service basis, with a University funded quota given to students at the beginning of each semester. Students are required to pay for any printing in excess of the quota. Similarly, in the future, a quota for Internet access will be allocated to all users. Administrative/School cost centres or individuals will be required to pay for any use in excess of the quota.
Use of University facilities for external (non-University) work must be negotiated with the Head, Academic Support Services and will be on a fee-for-service basis.
All students are entitled to an eMail, computing and web account. Accounts are automatically created upon successful enrolment and are accessed via a user id and password. Access to any other computing and communications facilities requires authorisation.
Staff of the University are entitled to an eMail, computing and web account. Access to this account is created when the appropriate application has been authorised and lodged. Access to any other facilities is provided on a needs basis and must be authorised
The University expects all users to exercise responsible and ethical behaviour when using the computing and communications facilities. Please assist the University to keep the network available and accessible by observing the following guidelines:
- Take responsibility for using University computing and communications system in accordance with their appropriate authorised purposesUnauthorised software must not be installed on the computers. For the purposes of this Policy, “unauthorised software” includes games, instant messaging programs and chat programs.
- Intentionally downloading unauthorised software, lengthy files containing picture images, live pictures or graphics is prohibited. This includes computer games, music files, feature films and accessing of radio or television stations broadcasting via the Internet. Downloading of such files increases the load on the network and could degrade the service to other staff and students with genuine need to use the Internet. Such files should not be eMailed to others.
- The University network should not be used for private gain. Nor should it be used to store or collect personal information about others.
- Connection of non-University hardware to, or interference with, the University network is not permitted without express authorisation by the Head, Academic Support Services.
- Abide by any relevant instructions given by the Vice-Chancellor or delegated officer. Such instructions may be issued by notice displayed in the vicinity of computing facilities, by letter, by electronic communication, in person or otherwise.
- The use of computing facilities is controlled through a “user id” and access rights governed by a personal password.
- • Passwords must remain confidential. Users will be held responsible for unauthorised use of their privileges. To help keep access secure: -
- Keep passwords confidential and change them frequently;
- Do not use common words or names as a password; and
- Log out of the network whenever not using it or leaving the workstation.
Respect security measures and the integrity of University systems and files. Do not attempt to adversely interfere with the operation of the University’s computing, communications or any other facilities using the University’s network.
Care should be exercised when providing access to personal files. Protection has been put in place to prevent access to personal files to ensure privacy. Incorrectly set protection will put files at risk of deletion, manipulation, plagiarism or inappropriate use. Staff should be especially careful if the data they have responsibility for is of a corporate nature.
Provide identification (for example by student card) when using University computing facilities, on request of a University staff member.
No form of computer hacking (illegally accessing other computers or accounts) is allowed.
- Access to the Internet should be via officially approved mechanisms only. The connection of standalone modems to individual personal computers must be authorised on a case-by-case basis by the Head, Academic Support Services.
- Staff must exercise caution when entering into on-line University related purchasing arrangements. As with telephone orders, proper authorisation for purchases must be first obtained. On-line purchases normally involve the use of credit or charge cards, and due regard must be had to conditions regulating their use. Refer to Purchasing Card Policy.
- Where a genuine reason exists (i.e. to support teaching, learning or research activities) that requires access to sites that would be normally regarded as inappropriate, the authorisation of the Head of School or Section is required.
Refer Internet Usage Schedule
- Inappropriate use includes, but is not limited to, use of University equipment or services for intentionally transmitting, communicating or accessing pornographic or sexually explicit material, images, text or other offensive material.
- It is not acceptable to intentionally create, send or access information (including pornography) that could damage the University’s reputation, be misleading or deceptive, result in victimisation or harassment, lead to criminal penalty or civil liability, or be reasonably found to be offensive, obscene, threatening, abusive or defamatory.
- It is inappropriate and potentially unlawful to transmit, communicate or access any material which may discriminate against, harass, bully or vilify colleagues or fellow students or any member of the public on the grounds of: -
- Age;
- Breast feeding;
- Disability;
- Gender identity;
- HIV/AIDS;
- Industrial activity;
- Marital status;
- Parenthood;
- Physical features;
- Pregnancy;
- Race (including colour), nationality descent or ethnic background;
- Religious background;
- Sex;
- Sexual orientation.
Refer to Harassment Policy and Equal Opportunity and Valuing Diversity Policy
Staff or Students may not intentionally create, transmit, distribute, or store any offensive information, data or material that violates Australian or State regulations or laws. The University reserves the right to audit and remove any illegal material from its computer resources without notice.
Respect others’ sensibilities and handle potentially offensive material with discretion.
-
Materials and works accessible on the Internet are covered by copyright, unless there is an express statement to the contrary. Every employee and student has a responsibility to respect the rights of copyright owners and authors in works they access on the Internet, to the extent and for purposes expressed in the Copyright Act 1968. See
the following University Guidelines
: Audiovisual Copying & Communication,
and
Print & Graphic Electronic Copying & Communication.
-
Acknowledge copyright obligations on electronic information, including computer software. Documents and other information accessed or used, should be cited with a proper bibliographic reference. Software and related materials protected by copyright law, licences or other contracts may not be pirated, resold or otherwise infringed.
-
Staff and students are encouraged to report breaches of these guidelines to their supervisor, lecturer, teacher or an appropriate senior officer. Inform the University of any suspected breach of these terms (for example, if aware that someone has used another’s personal account).
- The University keeps and may monitor logs of Internet usage which may reveal information such as which Internet servers have been accessed by employees, and the eMail addresses of those with whom they have communicated. Subject to this section, the University will not, however, engage in real time surveillance of Internet usage, will not monitor the content of email messages sent or received by its employees, and will not disclose any of the logged, or otherwise collected, information to a third party except under compulsion of law.
- On authority of the Vice-Chancellor or delegated officer and if the University reasonably believes that inappropriate use of computing or communication facilities has occurred, the University may review all data sent or received via its electronic communications infrastructure or placed into its storage.
- It is important to remember that electronic messages may be deemed official documents that are subject to the same laws as any other form of correspondence. They are subject to statutory record keeping requirements and can be subpoenaed or “discovered” during legal processes.
- Messages conveyed by eMail and through the Internet are capable of being intercepted,traced or recorded by others. Although such practices may be illegal, there should not be anexpectation of privacy and care must be taken with confidential documents.
See Information Privacy Policy
-
For safety reasons,
do not attempt to repair any computer equipment. Please report all faults to the Information Help Desk, especially if the fault appears hazardous. Equipment must remain in laboratories and cabling and equipment left alone.
-
In order to maintain the facilities at the best possible level eating or drinking in any of the computer laboratories is not permitted.
Health and Safety / Disability Access
-
The University will supply chairs, tables and/or computers in each laboratory specifically for the use of people with disabilities. Please make these accessible to these people at all times.
-
There is software made available in all laboratories for use by people with disabilities. If there are any problems with these facilities please contact the Information Help Desk.
-
Observe basic safety rules, such as wearing sensible footwear in the computer laboratories at all times, so that the possibility of accidents is minimised.
From time to time, new policies and policy updates relating to the use of the University’s computing and communication facilities are published on the University’s website. It is the users obligation to familiarise themselves with these policies.
Additional policy statements are included in the Schedules to this Policy, as follows -
- Email Addressing Scheme Schedule.
- End User Computing Application Schedule.
- Internet Usage Schedule.
- Electronic Data Backup Schedule.
- Electronic Data Ownership and Accountability Schedule.
- Electronic Mail Schedule.
For the above Schedules - Refer to Associated Documents.
Failure to abide by these terms will be treated as misconduct.
Minor infringements
For a first time offence of a minor infringement, a warning will be issued. A second time offence will result in automatic denial of access to one or all facilities for a period of three working days and up to two weeks.
Serious Infringements
A serious infringement includes, but is not limited to, a third and subsequent offence of a minor infringement and will result in automatic denial of access to one or all facilities and will be referred to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administrative & Academic Support). This may result in:
-
a prolonged denial of access to one or all facilities;
-
referral to the appropriate disciplinary procedures; and/or
-
referral to law enforcement agencies (where the misconduct constitutes a legal offence)
The University accepts no responsibility for any damage to or loss of data, hardware or software arising directly or indirectly from use of the University’s computing and communications facilities or for any consequential loss or damage. The University makes no warranty, express or implied regarding the facilities offered, or their fitness for any particular purpose.
Prev
Up
Next
Document Index
Policy Search