CHCS Student Handbook 2019-2020

Nova Southeastern University Student Handbook 23 In addition to the policy contained herein, usage must be in accordance with applicable university policies (see Related policies listed at the end of this section) and applicable state and federal laws. Among the more important laws are the Florida Computer Crimes Act, the Federal Computer Abuse Amendment Act 1994, the Federal Electronic Communications Privacy Act, and the U.S. Copyright Act. Copies of these laws and the NSU copyright policy may be examined in the Office of Academic Affairs. Unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material, including unauthorized peer-to-peer file sharing, may subject the student to civil and criminal liabilities. Policy violations generally fall into five categories that involve the use of computing resources: 1. for purposes other than the university’s programs of instruction and research and the legitimate business of the university 2. to harass, threaten, discriminate, stalk, intimidate, or otherwise cause harm or attempt to cause harm to specific individuals or classes of individuals 3. to impede, interfere with, impair, or otherwise cause harm to the activities of others 4. to download, post or install to university computers, or transport across university networks, material that is illegal, proprietary, in violation of license agreements, in violation of copyrights, in violation of university contracts, or otherwise damaging to the institution 5. to recklessly, willfully, negligently, or maliciously interfere with or damage NSU computer or network resources or computer data, files, or other information Examples (not a comprehensive list) of policy violations related to the above five categories include: • using computer resources for personal reasons • using computer resources to invade the privacy of another • sending email on matters not concerning the legitimate business of the university • sending an individual or group repeated and unwanted (harassing) email or using email to threaten someone • accessing, or attempting to access, another individual’s data or information without proper authorization (e.g. using another’s computing account and password to look at personal information) • creating a false email address • propagating electronic mail chain, pyramid schemes, or sending forged or falsified email • obtaining, possessing, using, or attempting to use someone else’s password regardless of how the password was obtained • copying a graphical image from a website without permission • posting a university site-licensed program to a public bulletin board • using illegally obtained licensed data/software, or using licensed data/software in violation of their licenses or purchase agreements