Student Guide

Overview

The following is an abridged guide to the UC Electronic Communications Policy (ECP) which governs use of campus electronic resources including, but not limited to, computer labs, Webmail, iLearn, wireless network, and virtual private network (VPN). By using UCR campus electronic resources you are agreeing to abide by the ECP. The complete version of the ECP, as well as the ECP Overview and Implementation at UCR, is available online at http://cnc.ucr.edu/policies.html

Acceptable Use of UCR Electronic Resources:

Allowed:

• Instructional and research related purposes
• Sending and receiving e-mail
• Accessing the Internet
• Creating web sites

Not Allowed:

• Illegal activities
• Violations of University policies
• Use of electronic communications resources for commercial benefit or personal financial gain
• Utilizing the University’s name and/or seal without appropriate approvals
• Giving the impression that you are representing or otherwise making statements on behalf of UCR or any department, unit, or sub-unit of the university unless appropriately authorized to do so
• Causing excessive strain on any campus electronic communications resource or unwarranted or unsolicited interference with others’ use of electronic communications

What you can expect as an Electronic Communications user at UCR

• Access and access restrictions
• Policy enforcement
• Security, confidentiality, and privacy

What is considered acceptable use

1. Instructional and Research related purposes

   
   UCR electronic resources are primarily intended for instructional and research purposes, including class-related activities, academic research, and administrative tasks that support instruction and research. For example, students may use iLearn to obtain class materials, complete coursework, and interact with classmates and instructors on class-related topics for academic purposes. Students may, and are expected to, use resources such as GROWL and Webmail for administrative tasks such as financial aid and managing enrollment.

2. Sending and receiving e-mail

   
   UCR students may use campus electronic resources for sending and receiving e-mail. This includes the use of Webmail, and the use of the campus network to access Webmail or other e-mail accounts. Use of campus resources for sending and receiving e-mail is limited by federal, state and local laws, as well as other University policies. E-mail activities that are prohibited include using UCR e-mail accounts or servers to send spam, for harassment, or for commercial purposes such as selling textbooks and other items or operating a business.

3. Accessing the Internet

   
   UCR students may use campus Internet resources, including the wireless network, Internet access provided by the campus computer labs, and residential Internet connections provided in the residence halls and some off-campus housing. Access to the Internet is subject to individual departmental policies of the department providing the service, as well as federal, state or local laws, other parts of the ECP, or other University policies. Internet activities that are prohibited include using the UCR network to illegally download copyrighted materials such as movies or music, excessive bandwidth usage that is significant enough to adversely affect campus network performance, and deliberately or unknowingly spreading computers worms or viruses over the Internet.

4. Creating web sites

   
   Students may post websites on campus servers. For example, students may post personal websites on their student accounts. Student groups may post websites on departmental web servers with the permission of the hosting department. Use of campus web servers is limited by the policies of the individual departmental owners of any specific web server, as well as other sections of the ECP. Web sites hosted on campus servers may not be operated for commercial purposes or financial gain, such as operating a business or offering services for profit. Furthermore, student or student organization web sites may not imply that they represent UCR without appropriate authorization.

Uses that are prohibited

1. Illegal activities

   
   All relevant federal, state and local laws apply when using University electronic communications. This includes laws that prohibit cyberstalking, digital copyright infringement, disrupting Internet and UCR intranet networks and systems (for example by transmitting viruses, sending spam, or hacking into others’ transmissions or files), and tapping telephones.

2. Activities that violate University policies

   
   All relevant University policies apply when using UCR electronic resources. This includes policies on sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, and intellectual property. For example, campus resources may not be used to obtain or re-distribute the intellectual property of others without authorization, including research, presentations, etc. Campus e-mail and iLearn may not be used to send spam or other harassing e-mails. In addition, individual departmental resources may only be used accordance with departmental policies and with appropriate authorization.

3. Commercial benefit or personal financial gain

   
   Campus electronic resources may not be used for commercial benefit or personal financial gain. For example, student websites may not be used to sell products or services. iLearn may not be used to sell textbooks or to post notices advertising rooms for rent.

4. Activities that utilize the University’s name and/or seal without appropriate approvals

   
   Users of UCR electronic resources must abide University policies regarding the use of the University's name, seal, or trademarks. The University's name, seal, or trademarks may not be used without appropriate authorization. For example, students may not include the University seal on their web sites without authorization.

5. Activities that imply representation on behalf of UCR

   
   Users of campus electronic resources may not give the impression that they are representing or otherwise making statements on behalf of UCR or any department, unit, or sub-unit of the university unless appropriately authorized to do so. For example, the University name may not be included in advertisements for products or services without authorization to imply University affiliation or endorsement.

6. Activities that cause excessive strain on campus electronic communication

   
   University electronic communications resources shall not be used in a manner that could reasonably be expected to cause excessive strain on any campus electronic communications resource or unwarranted or unsolicited interference with others’ use of electronic communications resources. For example, campus electronic resources may not be used to send spam, or engage in denial of service attacks. In addition, excessive bandwidth usage that adversely affects campus network services is prohibited and may result in restrictions on access.

7. Operation of personal web servers

   
   Students may not operate personal web servers on campus, or using campus resources. This includes, but is not limited to, the establishment of web servers for commercial purposes, personal websites, or student organization websites.

What you can expect as an Electronic Communications user at UCR

1. Access and Access Restrictions

   
   Duration of Access – In general, students' access to electronic communication services will remain active for three academic quarters after graduation (or the last quarter of enrollment).
   
   Accessibility – All electronic communications resources intended to accomplish the academic and administrative tasks of the university shall be accessible to allowable users with disabilities in compliance with law and UC policies
   
   Access Restrictions – Access to campus electronic resources may be restricted when there is substantial reason to believe that violations of law or University policies have taken place, or when time-dependent, critical operational circumstances exist. Violations of law or University policies include, but are not limited to, excessive bandwidth use, enough to cause network performance degradation, continued off-campus complaints with no response from on-campus responsible parties, verified open proxy or open mail servers, attacks observed by Computing & Communications’ network monitoring systems, and verified DMCA violations. 
   
   Backups and Data Retrieval – Electronic communications are routinely backed-up. However, this is only for purposes of system integrity and reliability, to support data restoration in cases of disk failure, and is not designed to provide for future information retrieval.

2. Policy Enforcement

   
   Violations of the ECP may result in revocation of access to a single resource, a combination of resources, or all campus electronic resources, depending upon the violation. 
   
   UCR in general cannot be the arbiter of the contents of electronic communications. Moreover, the University cannot always protect users from receiving electronic communications they might find undesirable or offensive.

3. Security, Confidentiality and Privacy

   
   UCR does not routinely collect information about an individual’s web use or sites visited. Except when tracking a reported crime, the monitoring of web sites visited, or web use in general, is not permitted under U.C. policy. UCR does not routinely inspect, monitor, or disclose electronic communications without the holder’s consent. UCR only permits the inspection, monitoring, or disclosure of electronic communications records without the consent of the holder of such records when one or more of the following apply AND when appropriate campus approvals have been obtained: 
   
   • When required by and consistent with law.
   • When there is substantiated reason to believe that violations of law or of University policies have taken place.
   • When there are compelling circumstances for which failure to act might result in significant bodily harm, significant property loss or damage, loss of significant evidence relating to violations of law or UC policies, or significant liability to the UCR or to members of the university community
   • When there are time-dependent, critical operational circumstances and when failure to act could seriously hamper the university’s ability to function administratively or to meets its teaching or research obligations.

References:

UCR Overview and Implementation of the Electronic Communications Policy
UC Electronic Communications Policy
Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)