Technology - Acceptable Use Policy

Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) provides technology systems for the purposes of educating university students, promoting academic research, communicating with university constituents, and administering the daily business of IWU. It is the desire of IWU that technology systems provided by the university be used in a manner that reflects the goals and mission of Indiana Wesleyan. These policies have been established to promote an environment that is safe and secure for all constituents and encourage students to act in a professional and responsible manner.

Technology Equipment:

Technology equipment provided by the university is the property of IWU, and as such IWU retains the right to remove, reallocate, or change equipment at its discretion. No information residing on any computer hardware owned by IWU should be considered private and therefore is subject to review by university staff.

Reporting abuses of technology equipment is expected as it assists the university in providing functional equipment and services to the IWU community.

Computer and Network Access:

Students shall not access files or retrieve any digitally stored information unless authorized to do so. Students shall not attempt to gain access to any entity via electronic means without authorization. Examples of activities that are inappropriate include; attempting to gain unauthorized access to computers or networks owned and or operated by another person or group; and use of an account on a shared computer or network other than the one assigned to the user.

Internet Usage:

Inappropriate use of the Internet to access sites such as pornography, gambling, illegal downloads of content, and hate speech is outside of legitimate academic research and is therefore prohibited. IWU monitors and filters all internet activity conducted on university equipment and systems and will, at its discretion, use evidence gathered for disciplinary actions if necessary.

Email:

1. Email account creation / account termination
   • Email accounts are created when a student enrolls for classes at IWU. The accounts are maintained while the student is actively taking classes.
   • Accounts will be terminated for inappropriate use, after graduation, or termination of their enrollment.
2. Accessing email
   • Email access is achieved via a university supported Web browser. These include MS Explorer, Firefox, and Safari.
   • Only users for which an email account has been created are approved to use the Indiana Wesleyan University email system.
   • Students are required to protect their user name and password and NEVER share this confidential information.
   • Students should never allow someone else to use their email account for sending or receiving email unless under direct supervision of them. By granting access, the student assumes responsibility of any and all activities of the guest user.
3. Proper and Ethical Use of Email
   • The email system exists to enhance the communication abilities of the Indiana Wesleyan University community. It should be used for purposes that enhance communication and reflect our desire to be Christ-like.
   • Appropriate Content
     • At any time and without prior notice, Indiana Wesleyan University administration reserves the right to examine email, personal file directories and other information stored on Indiana Wesleyan University computers. This examination helps to ensure compliance with internal policies, supports the performance of internal investigations and assists with the management of Indiana Wesleyan University information systems. As such, the Vice President for Information Technology or any of his/her assigned representatives may monitor the content of email. Use of the email system constitutes acceptance of such monitoring.
     • This policy should be read and interpreted in conjunction with all other Indiana Wesleyan University policies including but not limited to policies prohibiting harassment, discrimination, offensive conduct or inappropriate behavior. Students are expressly prohibited from using email for any unethical purposes, including but not limited to pornography, violence, gambling, racism, harassment or any illegal activity. Further, transmitting any message that may be perceived as containing derogatory, obscene, profane, lewd, harassing or inflammatory images or remarks about an individual or group's race, color religion, national origin, age, disability, gender or other protected class status is strictly prohibited, and is subject to corrective action.
     • Indiana Wesleyan University reserves the right to use email filtering/spam blocking technologies in an effort to minimize unsolicited bulk email. As a result, there may be instances where legitimate email may be inadvertently blocked or quarantined. In such cases, the office of Information Technology will make every effort to correct those situations.
4. Email messages cannot be considered private and may be monitored by university personnel. Such messages may be subject to disclosure to outside third parties, including the court system and law enforcement agencies, under certain circumstances. Please be aware that email messages are not encrypted and can be viewed by anyone with the intention, ability, and equipment to do so.

Copyright:

Students are responsible to comply with copyright laws and applicable licenses that apply to software, files, documents, messages and other material they wish to download or copy. Proprietary materials belonging to entities other than the student should not be transmitted on the university's email system or via the university's Internet connection. All students obtaining access to any material prepared or created by another company or individual must respect any attached copyrights and may not copy, retrieve, modify or forward such copyrighted materials, except with written permission of the lawful owner. Students receiving electronic files via the Indiana Wesleyan University's email system or Internet connection should ensure the sender is the lawful owner or has obtained the necessary license.

Use of Indiana Wesleyan University Identity:

The Indiana Wesleyan University name, seal, logo, telephone numbers or address are reserved for official university business and may not be used for any other purpose including electronically (fax, Internet, etc.) in advertising or for non-university sponsored events without explicit written permission.

Exclusive Property:

All equipment, services and technologies provided to students as part of Indiana Wesleyan University's computer system constitute the exclusive property of Indiana Wesleyan University. Similarly, all information composed, transmitted, received or stored via the IWU computer system is also considered the property of Indiana Wesleyan University. As such, all stored information is subject to disclosure to management, law enforcement and other third parties, with or without notice to the student.

Policy Remedies:

Individuals found to be in violation of any part of the policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the university. Any known or suspected violations of this or any other university policy should be reported immediately to the office of the Vice President for Student Development and the Vice President for Information Technology.