Falcon Account Policy

IT Services develops and maintains computing resources and facilities at UW-River Falls (hereafter referred to as the University). These resources are for instructional, research, administrative and community outreach purposes only. IT Services endeavors to maximize the available computational resources within financial constraints and legal commitments of our software licenses. Several policies and guidelines have been developed to maintain an ethical and amicable working environment and to meet the requirements governing the use of University resources. These policies can be found on the IT Services Info and News web area. You are encouraged to read these policies in their entirety once your Falcon account is established. A brief summary of the intent of these policies is shown here.

Please take the time to read through this page. If you continue to activate your Falcon account, you are responsible for abiding by these policies even if you do not bother to read the information presented on this page.

Ethical Use

The spirit of the various policies is simple. You are expected to use University computer resources in an ethical manner. You should be considerate of the needs of others and be certain that nothing is done to impede anyone else's ability to use these resources. Examples of actions that violate one or more of the various policies or guidelines:

• allowing someone else to use your account;
• sending harassing messages, "Make Money Fast" chain letter messages or solicitations of commercial business to individuals or mailing lists via email or posting such messages to USENET newsgroups;
• using your account for personal financial gain; e.g. selling products or services through email or web pages, posting commercial ads or click-through banners that earn money or discounts on your web page, advertising or operating your own business from your web page;
• violating copyright laws on published works, graphics or software; e.g. obtaining, or making available to others, commercial software via the Internet in violation of the licensing agreements on such software;
• impersonating other individuals in email messages or attempting to hide your identity by use of fictitious or anonymous email addresses;
• attempting to hack into any computer either at the University or elsewhere, destroying or altering data or information belonging to others, attempting to create, for any purpose, worm or virus programs or programs that attempt to explore or exploit network, security, or other vulnerabilities;
• using software to attempt to capture network data traffic, e.g.packet sniffing;
• activities that obstruct usage or deny access to others;
• violating University rules, State, and Federal Law.

UW-River Falls computing resources are funded to support activities that adhere to high academic standards and respect for personal and State resources. You are the first line of enforcement. Think before you act and understand the consequences of your actions. If you have any questions, please send an email message to postmaster@uwrf.edu. Violators of these rules are subject to disciplinary action in accordance with relevant University rules and policies. Such disciplinary action may include the loss of access to systems, appropriate administrative sanctions and/or legal action.

The University seeks to place its efforts towards the enhancement of technology resources and not the policing of the use of those resources. Engaging in any activity that violates any of these policies, or engaging in any activity strictly prohibited by these policies, can result in the immediate loss of access privileges. Such activities may also violate local, State, or Federal laws as well as the academic honor code of the University. Should the University encounter such violations they may refer them to the appropriate campus-level committees for resolution. Such cases may result in suspension from the University as well as prosecution by outside authorities. It is the responsibility of each individual who uses the technology resources of the University to be familiar with and abide by all current operational policies. The use of any technology resource of the University implies acceptance of all current and future operational policies.

If you have any doubt about the appropriateness of an intended use, contact IT Services.

Exposure to Offensive Material

UW-River Falls does not seek to censor any materials that you may access via the Internet. However, public display of sexually explicit materials will not be tolerated in accordance with the University's Sexual Harassment policy. Public display of materials includes viewing graphics on the computer screen, or printing such material on a printer, in any of the general access computer labs or other publicly accessible workstation locations. Private access to such materials is not prohibited.

Through Internet discussion groups ("USENET news" and mailing lists) and the World Wide Web, you may encounter material which you personally find objectionable, including comments or graphics which are profane, obscene, racist, sexist or otherwise offensive. UW-River Falls takes no responsibility for the content of such materials but has consciously decided not to censor what you may read or view in private. If you find material which is offensive, it is your choice to stop reading or viewing the material. You may not infringe on another persons right to read or view such material except as outlined above regarding the public display of such material.

Also, please remember that the Internet is a world wide network. Be aware that what is acceptable in one area or in one culture may be offensive or derogatory in another culture.

Release of Directory Information
(Students only)

Your name, address, phone number and email address are defined by the University as directory information. Directory information will be routinely released for any purpose at the discretion of our institution. Specifically, this means that you will be included in our web-based campus information desk search. You have the right to block release of this information however. Please refer to the Registrar's Office Directory Information for further instructions.

Policy Agreement

Your activation and use of your Falcon account indicates that you understand the Falcon policies outlined herein, including what is acceptable and unacceptable practices. And, that you understand that failure to abide by the Falcon policies can result in disciplinary action taken against you in accordance with University of Wisconsin System Administrative Code, Chapter 14 UWS - Student Academic Disciplinary Procedures, Chapter 17 UWS - Student Disciplinary Procedures, and Chapter 18 UWS - Conduct on University Lands.

Acceptable Use Policy
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