FROM: Steve G. Little,

Acting Vice President for Finance & Administration

DATE: November 30, 1998

The College's e-mail system has proven to be an excellent tool for enhancing communication. In the last several months, however, there have been a few incidents of improper use of the e-mail system. Therefore I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone of the College's policy regarding the use of e-mail and computer resources. Our policy is a modified version of a policy statement prepared by the University's Computer Policy Committee, reviewed by the University Faculty Senate and the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs.

The full text of the policy appears below. I would like to emphasize a few particulars.

Individual users broadcasting e-mail messages, i.e., announcements being sent to all or most campus users, is not permitted.

If you have an announcement regarding a matter of widespread institutional interest, please forward it via e-mail to Mark Gold, Director of Computer Services (Mark@brooklyn.cuny.edu). Please allow at least two (2) days for the announcement to be broadcast via e-mail.

Since the College's policy prohibits "the use of computer resources for profit making" and similar "private purposes," unsolicited e-mails sent to all or most campus users inviting them to purchase goods and/or services are not permitted.

Brooklyn College/City University of New York Computer User Responsibilities

Note: This policy statement is a modified version of a statement originally prepared by the University's Computer Policy Committee and reviewed by the University Faculty Senate and the CUNY Office of the Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs.

The computer resources of The City University of New York must be used in a manner that is consistent with the University's educational purposes and environment. All users of computer resources are expected to act in a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation, and to adhere to the regulations for their use set forth in this document. As a user of CUNY/Brooklyn College resources:

You must have a valid authorized account to use computer resources that require one and [you] may use only those computer resources that are specifically authorized. You may use your account in accordance with its authorized purposes and may not use an unauthorized account for any purpose.

You are responsible for the safeguarding of your computer account. You should change your password frequently and should not disclose it to anyone. You should take all necessary precautions in protecting the account, no matter what type of computer resources you are using.

You may not circumvent system protection facilities.

You may not knowingly use any system to produce system failure or degraded performance.

You may not engage in unauthorized duplication, alteration or destruction of data, programs [and/or] software. You may not transmit or disclose data, programs [and/or] software belonging to others and [you] may not duplicate copyrighted materials.

You may not engage in abusive or improper use of computer hardware. This includes, but is not limited to, tampering with equipment, unauthorized attempts at repairing equipment and unauthorized removal of equipment components.

You may not use computer resources for private purposes, including, but not limited to, the use of computer resources for profit making or illegal purposes.

You may not use computer resources to engage in abuse of computer personnel or [any] other users. Such abuse includes the sending of abusive, anonymous or unsolicited messages within CUNY or beyond via network facilities.

The use of college computer resources may be subject to college regulations, and you are expected to be familiar with those regulations. These regulations and college regulations are subject to revision. You are expected to be familiar with any revisions in regulations. The University [and College] reserve the right to monitor, under appropriate conditions, all data contained in the system to protect the integrity of the system and to insure compliance with regulations. Any user who is found to be in violation of these rules shall be subject to the following:

Suspension and/or termination of computer privileges;

Disciplinary actions by appropriate college and/or University officials;

Referral to law enforcement authorities for criminal prosecution;

Other legal action, including action to recover civil damages and penalties.