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USE OF INTERNET AND ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM POLICY
The University provides access to the Internet and electronic communication systems to facilitate the effective and efficient conduct of State and University business.
All users of university computers, Internet, and electronic communications systems are prohibited from using such equipment and access for reasons that are not related to the performance of their jobs or official purposes.
Users should not expect privacy in any message, file, image, or data created, sent, retrieved, or received by use of the University's equipment and/or access. Monitoring may occur at any time, without notice, and without the user's permission. Additionally, electronic records may be subject to the Freedom of Information Action (FOIA) and, therefore, available for public distribution.
In general, incidental and occasional personal use of the University's Internet access or electronic communication systems is permitted; however, personal use is prohibited if it:
- interferes with the user's productivity or work performance,
or with any other employee's productivity or work performance;
- adversely affects the efficient operation of the computer
system;
- violates any provision of this policy, any supplemental policy adopted by the university, or any other policy, regulation, law or guideline as set forth by local, State or Federal law. (See Code of Virginia §2.1-804-805).
When using the Internet or electronic communications certain activities are prohibited. These include, but are not limited to:
- accessing, downloading, printing or storing information
with sexually explicit content as prohibited by law (see Code of Virginia
§2.1-804-805);
- downloading or transmitting fraudulent, threatening,
obscene, intimidating, defamatory, harassing, discriminatory, or otherwise
unlawful messages or images;
- installing or downloading computer software, programs
or executable files contrary to policy;
- uploading or downloading access-restricted university
information contrary to policy or in violation of university policy;
- sending email using another's identity, an assumed
name, or anonymously;
- permitting a non-user to use for purposes of communicating
the message of some third party individual or organization;
- any other activities designated as prohibited by the university.
Electronic communications should be drafted and sent with at least the same level of care, professional judgment and discretion as paper memorandum or documents.
Violations of this policy will be addressed under Policy 1.60, Standards of Conduct Policy. The appropriate level of disciplinary action will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
