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Responsible and Ethical Use of Computing Resources
The following are highlights of the University's
Policy on Responsible and Ethical Use of Computing Resources. This policy is available in
total at http://help.wfu.edu.
The information presented in the highlights below should not be construed
as all-inclusive. Consequently, all computer users should utilize
the Student Handbook or visit http://help.wfu.edu
and review all policies in detail. All users must comply fully with
these policies.
Highlights:
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University computing resources are for instructional and research
use by the faculty, staff, and students of Wake Forest University.
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All ethical standards that apply to other University activities
(Honor Code, Social Rules and Responsibilities, local, state,
and federal laws) apply equally to the use of computing resources.
Abusive activities, cheating, stealing, making false or deceiving
statements, disguising one's identity through e-mail, plagiarism,
vandalism, and harassment are violations of University codes of
conduct and will not be tolerated. In addition, violations of
copyright and intellectual property laws will not be tolerated.
All such activities will be prosecuted and discipline will be
applied using procedures and authorities as outlined in the Honor
Code, the Social Rules and Responsibilities, and Responsible and
Ethical Use of Computing Policies. All these documents are contained
in the Student Handbook. In addition, Information Systems staff
may, at their discretion, deny system and network access to violators
during the process of an investigation.
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All individuals, including members of the Information Systems
staff, should respect the privacy of other authorized users. Thus
all should respect the rights of other users to security of files,
confidentiality of data, and ownership of their own work. Nonetheless,
systems monitoring may occur during investigations. At such times
systems will be monitored in accordance with the Ethical Use of
Computing Policies in the Student Handbook.
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Information Systems may, in consultation with the Committee
on Information Technology, change or amend this policy from time
to time. As with matters of law and ethics, ignorance of the rules
does not excuse violations. Therefore, review policies periodically
by visiting and reading policy pages at http://help.wfu.edu.
To report problems or policy violations, contact the Help Desk at
758-HELP. Members of the University community have a responsibility,
under University codes of conduct (including the Honor Code and Social
Rules and Responsibilities), to report suspected violations to Information
Systems for immediate investigation.
Myths and Misconceptions
Computers and the Internet make various behaviors and actions possible
and even easy. This does not mean that such behaviors or actions are
necessarily legal or acceptable. Even things done in fun or with good
intentions can constitute violations of state and federal laws or
University policies.
Some common violations include:
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Sending harassing e-mail messages. Harassment is harassment,
whether or not it's done electronically.
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Misrepresenting your identity. Even if just for the sake
of a practical joke or to help a friend or colleague, posing as
someone else or intentionally hiding your identity is a violation
of state laws.
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Sharing your computing user name and password with someone
else. Your Wake Forest computing account provides access to
powerful resources that others-even friends-might try to use for
illegal activities. You are liable if you gave them
access to your account.
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Downloading or exchanging copyrighted material such as media
files (including MP3s). Though some media files may be shared
legally, much Internet traffic in media files consists of illegal
exchanges of copyrighted materials. The disclaimers you find on
many media file Internet sites will not necessarily protect you
from prosecution for copyright infringement. Copyright infringement
is a federal crime that carries penalties of up
to 5 years in prison and fines up to $250,000 in addition
to Wake Forest Honor Code charges.
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Plagiarism. The abundant resources available through the
Internet make it possible to do considerable research anywhere
you can be online. This does not mean that the information you
find is yours for the taking. Never use information from the Internet-whether
direct quotes, paraphrases, or ideas-without citing the source
appropriately. Don't jeopardize your future at Wake Forest by
attempting to pass off someone else's work as your own.
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