Student Code of Conduct

Retain Sanction Definition:

Information Technology Resource Suspension/Termination - A suspension or termination of part or all of a student's access to Information Technology resources. No refund of any fees charged and applied to Information Technology resources will be made.

Offenses Related to the Utilization of the University Information Technology Resources Users

Information Technology Resources includes, but is not limited to: campus computing facilities (labs and individual machines), University time-sharing services, residence hall network ports, wireless networks, World Wide Web pages and related resources, internal or external network connectivity and access to other services and machines.

The information technology resources of the University are available to faculty, staff, and students of this institution for the purpose of instruction, research, and other activities defined by the Chancellor or the Provost.

The Code addresses offenses related to the properties and operation of the University and therefore applies to information and technology use and resources as it applies to all other University resources. Specifically, an offense related to utilization of the University information technology resources is committed when a student:

1. Uses information technology resources for purposes other than research or instructional purposes. (Information technology resources may not be used for commercial purposes or personal gain).
2. Intentionally or recklessly abuses or misuses the information technology resources so as to cause damage, program disturbances, or harassment to other persons.
3. Repeatedly or purposefully engages in activities which can be reasonably expected to, or do, unreasonably tax information technology resources or go beyond the intended or acceptable use.
4. Borrows, lends, falsifies or misuses a computer account or information technology resource, or allows, or facilitates the unauthorized access to use of University information technology resources by a third party.
5. Obtains passwords(s) of other persons in order to use University or University-related information technology resources without proper authorization or impersonates another person or an information technology resource.
6. Uses electronic media to harass or threaten other persons, or to display, design, copy, draw, print, or publish obscene language or graphics. Submits or causes to be submitted to the University false, misleading, harassing or deceptive help requests or complaints. Uses university information technology resources to gain or attempt to gain unauthorized access to information technology resources either inside or outside of the University.
7. Intercepts, attempts to intercept or otherwise monitors any communications not explicitly intended for him or her.
8. Copies, reads, accesses, uses, misappropriates, alters, publishes or destroys the files, output data, documents or other files of another individual or attempts to do so, without the permission of that individual, project leader, or information technology resource administrator.
9. Makes, distributes and/or uses unauthorized duplicates of copyrighted material, including software applications, proprietary data, and information technology resources. This includes peer to peer sharing of entertainment (e.g., music, movies, video games) files in violation of copyright law. (Unauthorized copying of copyrighted software or proprietary files may also lead to proceedings in the civil court.) Violates the terms and conditions of software license agreements for software distributed by the University of Pittsburgh to students by giving, lending, selling, or leasing such media or software to others for their own use.
10. Interferes with the operation of the Universitys information technology resources by deliberately attempting to degrade or disrupt resource performance, security, or administrative operation including, but not limited to, intentionally introducing any computer virus or similar disruptive force into any information technology resource.

Judicial Procedure for Alleged Information Technology Resource Violations

The following options are available to the University in responding to alleged violations of the Offenses Related to the Utilization of the University Information Technology Resources Users portion of the Code of Conduct:

1. When a violation of the Code is observed and the alleged violator is identified, one or a combination of the following actions may be taken by the University:

   a. Collect evidence of the alleged violation, including copies of the files or any other information, for the ensuing investigation.

   b. Issue a warning to the accused violator(s).

   c. Request corrective action by the accused.

   d. If the alleged Code violation represents a continuing threat of damage or harassment to the community, an interim suspension of the accused's access to Information Technology resources will be imposed.

2. In cases where an interim suspension has been imposed, Computing Services and Systems Development (CSSD) and/or Network Services (NS), may promptly file a complaint with the Judicial Board requesting an expedited hearing.

3. Computing Services and Systems Development (CSSD) and /or Network Services (NS) may file a complaint with the Office of the Coordinator of the University Student Judicial System.

4. In proceedings within the University Student Judicial System, all policies and procedures of that system apply.