blog@USF » Acceptable Use Policy

USF Computer and Network Access Agreement

The computing and network facilities in the various colleges are a vital component of the academic environment. Each person using these computers must be considerate of other users. The purpose of these facilities is the support of teaching and research by its authorized users.

Activities that damage or impede the work of other users are of particular concern. Such activities are discourteous and illegal.

The State of Florida has laws which hold that unauthorized use (including accessing another user’s account) leading to offenses against intellectual property and/or computer users, is a felony. Besides civil penalties that can include imprisonment of up to fifteen years and fines, the college and or university may impose administrative penalties and sanctions against those found to have violated the law. The University of South Florida wishes to provide open access to students and faculty, with as few restrictions as possible. Courteous and thoughtful computing will minimize the need for regulations and annoying security procedures.

Account Certification Statement

I understand that the following activity is forbidden and may subject me to loss of access to computing and/or network facilities, administrative sanctions and penalties by the university and/or college, as well as imprisonment and fine by civil authorities.

I WILL NOT:

Provide access to USF’s network and computing resources to any other person or entity.
Access another user’s account and/or misrepresent one’s identity.
Allow another person to access my account or share my password.
Use computing resources for private profit not related to university activites.
Intentionally impede the legitimate use of computing facilities by other people.
Use computing resources for junk mail or mass mailing.
Violate any law, regulation, or contract
Publish information that is threatening, harassing, abusive, defamatory or libelous
Publish or distribute illegally copied music, movies, software or other Intellectual Property, or otherwise infringe upon the copyrights of other persons or entities
Publish any information or software used to circumvent software licensing or registration
Advocate or solicit violence or criminal behavior
Use blog resources to generate private profit not related to university activities.

Individuals using this system without authority, or in excess of their authority, are subject to having all of their activities on this system monitored and recorded by system personnel.

While monitoring individuals improperly using this system or during system maintenance, the activities of authorized users may be examined. Anyone using this system agrees to such examination and is advised that if it reveals possible evidence of criminal activity, system personnel may provide this evidence to law enforcement officials.

DO NOT POST PRIVATE INFORMATION. All data posted to Blog@USF is PUBLIC. In addition to being listed on the “Recently Updated” page at blog.usf.edu, your blog may be indexed by Internet search engines (Google, Yahoo, etc).