UC Denver IT Services' Appropriate Use Policy (AUP)

The use of computing and networking resources at the University of Colorado Denver is a privilege, and, like any other privilege, carries with it the responsibility for making use of these resources in an efficient, ethical, and legal manner. UC Denver depends upon the spirit of mutual respect and cooperative attitudes to ensure that everyone has equal privileges, privacy, and protection from interference or harassment. The systems shall be used in a manner consistent with the instructional, research, and administrative objectives of the University community in general and with the purpose for which such use was intended. UC Denver reserves the right to examine users' stored information when investigating cases of computing abuse or misrouted electronic mail. In addition, UC Denver may withdraw computing privileges when violations have occurred.

As a condition of use of UC Denver computing facilities, the user agrees:

  1. To respect the stated purpose of accounts on the systems. Individuals shall use their accounts only for the purposes specified upon creation of the account and shall not use any other individual's account unless explicitly permitted to do so by the person authorized to use that account. Under no circumstances shall UC Denver resources (computers, software, networks, printers, plotters, scanners, etc.) be used for personal profit-making.

  2. To respect the privacy of other users. Users shall not intentionally seek information on, obtain copies of, or modify files, tapes, passwords or any type of data belonging to other users unless specifically authorized to do so.

  3. To respect the integrity of the systems. Individuals shall not use UC Denver resources to develop or execute programs that could harass other users, infiltrate the systems, or damage or alter the software components of the systems.

  4. To respect the resource controls of the systems. Users shall not attempt to alter or avoid accounting for computing services. Users should avoid excessive use of resources, controlled or otherwise. For example, personal computers, dial-in lines, graphics devices, printers, and data networks are resources that must be shared in an equitable manner.

  5. To respect the privileges of network connectivity. Membership in the wider community of network users carries with it responsibility for ethical conduct similar to what is required on UC Denver systems. Users should avoid violating others' privacy, tampering with security provisions, or attempting entry to non-public hosts. They should be mindful that they are often guests on other institutions' hosts.
 

Ethically responsible use of computing systems includes the efficient and productive use of the resources. For example, those who use large amounts of computing resources in production runs should use the appropriate machine for their applications; in a heavily loaded system, large, inefficient programs deny resources to other users. Keeping unnecessarily large files on shared systems causes unnecessary depletion of resources.

UC Denver provides access to computer systems and the Internet to allow employees, students and other individuals to carryout the mission of the university. Employees, students and individuals shall use UC Denver computer systems and networks solely for UC Denver business purposes and make no more than insubstantial use of UC Denver computer systems and networks for personal purposes.

Software programs are protected by Section 117 of the 1976 Copyright Act. Unless they have written the program themselves, users do not have the right to make and distribute copies of programs without specific permission of the copyright holder. UC Denver employees, students or individuals using UC Denver resources shall not store or otherwise make unauthorized copies of copyrighted material using UC Denver computer systems, networks or storage media. Unauthorized use or distribution of copyrighted materials by individuals can harm the entire University, subjecting it to legal liabilities, and making it more difficult to negotiate agreements for the use of copyrighted materials. Unauthorized use or distribution of copyrighted materials by individuals may result in the suspension of computing privileges; disciplinary review, which may include suspension or expulsion from the University; termination of employment; or legal action.

The physical abuse of any computing equipment or supplies will be reported to the UC Denver Police and to the appropriate administrative office.

Please read these other policies that affect your use of computer facilities here.

Last updated 07-11-2008