Internet/Intranet Access Policies

Dear SLU Internet/Intranet/Email User:

We are pleased to offer Internet/Intranet access to the faculty, staff and students as part of the university's mission of providing materials and services to meet your research, educational and professional needs. Our Internet/Intranet workstations allow users to utilize information resources from other computers around the world via the World Wide Web. In order to offer quality Internet/Intranet service to all, potential users must demonstrate adequate computer skills and agree to follow the policy guidelines outlined below.

While many persons think of reference materials primarily in terms of the books contained in our collections, the truth is that there exist many other types of information resources. A natural evolution from the early media forms has been the provision of periodicals, movies, videotapes, compact discs and now computer software and information provided through a combination of on-site and off-site data providers. Now as always, the printed word remains a central way of providing information to the public. Electronic databases and networks such as the Internet/Intranet are supplementing and sometimes taking the place of the printed resources which have been traditionally made available. In addition, electronic information research skills are becoming increasingly important to the student, worker, or ordinary citizen. Access to the Internet/Intranet enables these persons to explore thousands of libraries, databases, bulletin boards, and other resources while exchanging messages with people around the world. For these reasons, it is obvious that it would be to the benefit of the faculty, staff and students to have access to these resources, through the SLU Internet and/or Intranet facilities.

The purpose of Internet/Intranet access facilities, is to provide the user with educational, informational, and professional materials. Access is a privilege, not a right. Access entails the exercise of responsibility. To remain eligible as an Internet/Intranet user, one must make use of the network in ways consistent with the mission statement of the University.

Policy Guidelines:

1. Use the SLU computer network appropriately. The purpose of SLU computer network is to support research, education, and administrative activities of students, faculty, and staff of Saint Louis University by providing access to computing resources and the opportunity for collaborative work. All use of the network must be consistent with this purpose.

2. The SLU Internet/Intranet access facilities offer access to informational resources on the Internet/Intranet, through the World Wide Web browser Netscape and/or Microsoft Explorer, as well as access to email services. The Internet/Intranet workstations are intended to be used as research and educational tools, not devices for entertainment and personal communication. In addition, the workstations can not be used, in any capacity, for commercial or for-profit ventures. Compliance with these restrictions is a requirement for all users.

3. In offering Internet/Intranet access, SLU cannot control sites which often change rapidly and unpredictably. Users are hereby notified that they are responsible for the sites they reach.

4. Internet/Intranet Access stations have been configured with software which has been found to be both useful and stable. Please do not attempt to reconfigure these stations, load new software, or run your own software. Such attempts may lead to the loss of your privilege to use university owned computers. If there is software which you feel is needed, please send us a comment and this will be considered.

5. Responsible, ethical use of such resources includes the following:

• Using resources for research, educational, and informational purposes only: not for unauthorized, illegal or unethical purposes.
• Respecting the privacy of others by not misrepresenting oneself as another user; by not attempting to modify or gain access to files, passwords, or data belonging to others; by not seeking unauthorized access to any computer system, or damaging or altering software components of any network or database.
• Abstaining from the deliberate propagation of computer worms and viruses.
  Making only authorized copies of copyrighted or licensed software or data. Abstaining from altering or damaging software or data residing on the Internet/Intranet.
• Not sending, receiving, or displaying, text or graphics which may reasonably be construed as obscene.
• Abstaining from the display of threatening, harassing or abusive language and images

6. The Internet/Intranet Access facilities are available during hours when the university is open, subject to periodic maintenance.

7. To help prevent computer viruses, personal software programs may not be used at the Internet/Intranet access computer.

8. Internet/Intranet sites you wish to visit may not always be available. There may be too many Internet/Intranet visitors and the host computer may be closed or have limited access. The database or resource may be licensed to a particular institution. The host computer may have changed its address or closed down. The university's Internet/Intranet connection may be periodically and temporarily inoperable due to technical difficulties.

9. All users must have paid in advance the required access fees, before using the system. Appropriate ID will be required for users entering any Internet/Intranet access facility of the university.

10. All users must demonstrate adequate computer ability before using an Internet/Intranet workstation for the first time. An Internet/Intranet access facility staff will conduct a brief orientation with each user before permission is granted to use a workstation. Staff will not provide any further instruction or perform searches for users. Internet/Intranet training opportunities shall be made available when deemed necessary, and schedules shall be announced appropriately. Users may be required to attend this training before permission to use the system may be granted. It is the responsibility of the user to learn how to navigate the Internet/Intranet. It is not possible for staff to offer extensive explanations about the Internet/Intranet or personal computer use or provide in-depth training. The workstations are designed and intended for users with prior knowledge and some experience in using the Internet/Intranet. Internet/Intranet access facility staff cannot be expected to be familiar with all the resources on the Internet/Intranet.

11. Use of any Internet/Intranet workstation will be limited to one-hour time increments if other users are waiting, and only one Internet/Intranet user at a time may be seated at the computer. Users may use the Internet/Intranet workstations for a time slot on a first-come, first-served basis.

12. The user is liable for any damage done to an Internet/Intranet workstation's hardware or software and for any illegal or unethical acts performed through our system. This is not limited to physical damage or vandalism. Tampering with local or remote computer files and/or committing legal or ethical violations of acceptable Internet/Intranet use, will result in permanent loss of Internet/Intranet privileges and could also result in financial liability and/or criminal charges.

13. Users will have access to millions of Internet/Intranet sites available via the World Wide Web; the Internet/Intranet access facilities do not have any control over the rapidly and continuously changing information in the Internet/Intranet other than those from the servers of the SLUNET; the Internet/Intranet access facilities do not utilize any methods of blocking access to materials based on content. In addition, Internet/Intranet Access facilities staff will not monitor an individual's use of any sites except when material displayed on the screen is not appropriate in a public environment. As all Internet/Intranet workstations are in view of other users and staff, users are not permitted to display any visual images containing nudity, obscenity, or graphic violence. Users will receive one warning regarding this rule; another violation will result in permanent loss of Internet/Intranet privileges at the Internet/Intranet Access facilities. Acceptability of screen displays will be left to the discretion of supervising Internet/Intranet Access facilities staff.

14. Information available through the Internet/Intranet is not warranted by SLU to be accurate, authoritative, factual or complete. The availability of information via the Internet/Intranet does not constitute any endorsement or ratification of that information. Users must be responsible for verifying the accuracy of any material.

15. Users may print information from the Internet/Intranet workstation screens at the cost of P5.00 per page. Some documents, such as World Wide Web sites, may be numerous pages in length; users are financially responsible for all printouts.

16. Downloading or file transfer of data over the Internet/Intranet to a floppy disk is allowed, however downloading to a workstation's hard drive is strictly prohibited and may be blocked by security procedures. All files much be downloaded directly onto your own disk, not on the hard drive of the Internet/Intranet Access facilities computers.

WARNING: Although we utilize virus checking software, this is not a guarantee that you will be completely protected from viruses. Software downloaded from the Internet/Intranet may contain a virus and you need to have virus-checking software on your computer.

17. The university's Internet/Intranet service is provided by SLUNET. The SLUNET services are normally available; however, technical difficulties can occur which may render the Internet/Intranet access unavailable. In addition, SLUNET can not ensure access to all resources at any given time from remote computer systems.

18. The inability of the system to block the use of unpermitted software or access to a particular site that is inconsistent with the policies in place does not imply the endorsement of such.

19. This Internet/Intranet Policy for User Access is subject to revision at any time. All previous Internet/Intranet users must abide by current policy in place. The university's Internet/Intranet service and policies are all subject to change based on the administration of SLU. SLU Internet/Intranet access guidelines and policies are available at SLU's website ( http://www.slu.edu.ph/SLUNET/policies/accesspolicy.htm )

The following uses of SLU-provided Internet/Intranet access facilities are not permitted. Any such use may constitute reason for revocation of one's access privileges:

Users may not:

20. Use the workstations to gain unauthorized access to the Internet/Intranet Access facility's network or computer systems or to any other network or computer system.

21. Obstruct other people's work by consuming large amounts of system resources or by deliberately crashing any Internet/Intranet Access facilities computer system.

22. Make any attempt to damage computer equipment or software.

23. Make any attempt to alter software configurations or install any software.

24. Make any attempt to cause degradation of system performance.

25. Violate copyright laws or software licensing agreements.

26. Engage in any activity which is disruptive to other Internet/Intranet Access facilities users.

27. Use any Internet/Intranet Access facilities workstation for any illegal or criminal purpose.

28. Add, delete, examine, copy or modify files and/or data belonging to the Internet/Intranet Access facilities or to other users without prior consent. Unauthorized data will be deleted on a regular basis.

29. Use computer accounts, access codes, or network identification numbers assigned to others.

30. Make any attempt to violate another person's or party's privacy.

31. Make any attempt to create, transmit, print, or otherwise distribute: pornographic, obscene, or sexually explicit materials; or racist, sexist, or homophobic materials.

Privileges may also be revoked if a user refuses to abide by instructions or requests made by Internet/Intranet Access facilities staff members in the performance of their duties. Since Internet/Intranet Access facilities are public places, users should be mindful of the sensibilities of those around them and take reasonable precaution not to display or use files in a way which is unavoidably offensive to other users or staff members. The Internet/Intranet Access facilities staff reserves the right to inspect and/or observe the use made of its equipment and resources for purposes of enforcement of these policies. The SLU Internet/Intranet Access facilities makes no warranties of any kind, neither expressed nor implied, for the Internet/Intranet access it is providing. The Internet/Intranet Access facilities will not be responsible for any damages users suffer, including, but not limited to, loss of data resulting from delays or interruptions in service. The Internet/Intranet Access facilities will not be responsible for the accuracy, nature, or quality of information stored on the Internet/Intranet Access facilities' diskettes, hard drives, or servers; nor for the accuracy, nature, or quality of information gathered through university-provided Internet/Intranet access. The Internet/Intranet Access facilities will not be responsible for personal property used to access Internet/Intranet Access facilities computers or networks or for university-provided Internet/Intranet access. The Internet/Intranet Access facilities will not be responsible for unauthorized financial obligations resulting from university-provided access to the Internet/Intranet.

Adopted by SLU : June 1997

SLU reserves the right to modify this policy at any time without prior consultation.

Access Rates:

Faculty and Employees

1. Offices and Academic departments are given official email and Internet access privileges. Please consult your Head of Office for details.

2. Any faculty member and/or administrative staff may open a personal Internet/Intranet account for purposes of accessing the Internet/Intranet and/or for e-mail purposes. Internet/Intranet access is through a system of username/password stub, which can be bought directly from the accounting office. Each username/password stub costs P100.00 and may be used till the credits run out. The user may use Internet/Intranet workstations in the different offices and in the Internet/Intranet Access facility ( basement of the Library building). The current denomination of the stubs are good for about 3-4 hours of Internet/Intranet use.

3. A separate individual email account may be opened after paying a fee of PhP100.00 per school year, valid for the current school year (June 1 to May 31 the following year). Payments should be made directly to any of the SLU accounting cashiers, after which the receipt is presented to the SLUNET Systems Administrator for the generation of the email account. Access to the email service may be done through any of the university computers connected to the network

4. Internet/Intranet and email access privileges shall be strictly non-transferable and/or non-assignable to relatives and/or friends.

Students

1. Any SLU student may open an Internet/Intranet account for purposes of accessing the Internet/Intranet and/or for e-mail purposes. Internet/Intranet access is through a system of username/password stub, which can be bought directly from the accounting office. Each username/password stub costs P100.00 and may be used till the credits run out. The user may use Internet/Intranet workstations in the Internet/Intranet Access facility ( basement of the library building). The current denomination of the stubs are good for about 3-4 hours of Internet/Intranet use.

2. A separate individual email account may be opened after paying a fee of PhP100.00 per semester. Payments should be made directly to any of the SLU accounting cashiers, after which the receipt is presented to the SLUNET Systems Administrator for the generation of the email account. Access to the email service may be done through any of the university computers connected to the network

Computer Science Students

1. Access to local Novell and Unix servers containing development programs such as C, C++, Pascal, RDBMS and the like shall be unlimited but within the scheduled laboratory periods.

COMPUTER LABORATORY FACILITIES

The SLUNET supervises the technical operation of the 7 computer laboratory rooms primarily being used by the College of Information and Computing Sciences, College of Engineering and Architecture, and the College of Accountancy and Commerce. Todate there are around 350 computers of various models and types in these laboratory rooms. Some of these laboratory rooms are connected to the SLUNET Internet/Intranet/intranet backbone. Access to both Novell and Unix servers is available in some of the laboratory rooms. The following guidelines regarding computer laboratory room use are to be adopted:

Basic Lab Policies

1. Users must stay at the terminal assigned to him by the Student Assistant on duty. Swapping of terminals is not allowed. Loitering inside the lab is also prohibited. Only students scheduled for the particular time shall be allowed to enter the laboratory room.

2. No user is allowed to alter the setting or configuration of the facilities inside the laboratory without due permission from the supervising laboratory custodian/technician.

3. No user is allowed to bring into the room his/her personal equipment ( hard disks, mouse, display monitors, printers, and the like) for connection to any computer, without prior approval from the instructor and the supervising custodian/technician.

4. Chewing gum, eating drinking, loitering, smoking, and vandalizing are prohibited inside the lab.

5. Playing of games is strictly not allowed inside the lab. Word games encompasses computer games and entertainment software, card games, and other games that can disturb those inside the lab.

6. For laboratories where terminals are networked, users are prohibited to access the Internet/Intranet unless specifically allowed by the instructor. Absolutely no online talk, chat, e-mail shall be allowed. These machines are intended for research and educational purposes and not devices for personal or business communications. The inability of the system to prevent access to specific sites and services does not constitute an implied endorsement for such.

7. No radio, cassette player, compact disk player, or any similar equipment may be used inside the lab. An exception would be some classroom laboratories which needs such equipment.

8. SILENCE must be observed by everyone.

9. For classroom laboratories, the faculty is responsible for controlling the behavior of his/her class.

10. The Student Assistant and/or the supervising laboratory custodian/technician has the right to advise any user to leave the lab when the user violates any policy.

Violation of any of these policies will be dealt with according to the rules in the SLU employee/staff/student handbooks and any other relevant rules/regulations.

Adopted by SLUNET : June 1997.

SLUNET reserves the right to modify these policies without prior consultation.