Policy: 238

Subject: Use of Computer Facilities

Approved By: Board of Governors

Contact: Vice-President (Administration)
Group: All
Approved: 25 March 1993
Revised:

I. Application of Policy

This policy applies to the use of the University's computer facilities by all staff and students at the University of Manitoba. It applies to the mainframe computer facilities, mini-computers, micro-computers, data network facilities and University owned software, regardless of the source of funding. These hardware devices and associated software are subsequently referred to in this document as the "Facilities".

II. Facilities are to be used for University Purposes Only

Authorized use shall only be for University purposes associated with the following:

  1. administrative;

  2. instructional;

  3. research including graduate theses;

  4. community services in furtherance of or related to 1-3 above inclusive;

  5. outside professional activity, provided that in the case of substantial use of the Facilities prior written authorization from the Comptroller for appropriate financial arrangements is obtained.

Use of the Facilities and of the information stored on them for any purpose other than those identified above will be considered as unauthorized, whether or not the use resulted in indirect or direct personal gain.

III. Unauthorized Use of Facilities

Without limiting the generality of the above, the following are some examples of the unauthorized use of facilities.

  1. Attempting to circumvent security systems on any facility, or the use of a computer account without authorization;

  2. Developing or using programs that harass other users of the Facilities or that damage the software or hardware components of the Facility and placing any destructive or nuisance programs such as a virus in the Facilities;

  3. Using the Facilities, particularly electronic mail and bulletin boards, to send fraudulent, harassing or obscene messages;

  4. Transmitting commercial or personal advertisements, solicitations or promotions using the Facilities;

  5. Unless authorized by the Vice-President (Administration), reading, obtaining copies of or modifying data files, programs or passwords belonging to other computer users without the permission of those other computer users;

  6. Breaching the terms and conditions of a software licensing agreement to which the University is a party. (Terms and conditions of such software licensing agreements may be obtained from Computer Services.)

IV. Penalties

Persons found to have used the Facilities for unauthorized purposes (Section II) or who have misused the Facilities (Section III) are subject to University discipline and/or legal action in accordance with applicable University policies and collective agreements.