Guidelines for Use of Campus INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES
(Revised 2008)

To further the college mission, Harvey Mudd College makes computing and network resources available to all students, faculty, and staff. These resources should be used appropriately in accordance with our educational mission and in a manner consistent with the college’s Standards of Conduct.

Your use of information technology resources is governed by The Claremont Colleges Policy Regarding Appropriate Use of Campus Computing and Network Resources, available online at www.cuc.claremont.edu/infotech/appuse0802.asp. Please read the policy carefully.

The computing and network resources of the college may not be used for commercial purposes without the explicit approval of the Chief Information Officer, the Harvey Mudd College Computing Committee, or the Harvey Mudd College Treasurer.

Here are some general guidelines you should consider when you are using college Information Technology resources. 

A.  You are responsible for all activities on your accounts. You are responsible for the data stored, the messages sent and any actions taken from that account. Do not “share” your accounts. Create strong passwords for your accounts and change them regularly.

B.  Respect the privacy and rights of others. Do not read, copy or modify files belonging to others (including system files and software) without the owner’s explicit permission. 

C.  The network is a shared, and finite, resource. Your use of computing and network systems should not interfere unreasonably with the activities of other users.

D.  You are encouraged to express your opinions via electronic media. However, your opinions must be clearly labeled as yours and should be expressed in a manner consistent with the college’s Standards of Conduct. 

E.  You also should be aware that there are federal, state and local laws which govern certain aspects of computer and telecommunications use. Members of the college community are expected to respect these laws.

F.  If the college receives notification of unauthorized file sharing of intellectual property (e.g., software, music, video), college personnel will notify the alleged offending user. Failure to comply with this notification within 24 hours will result in the user’s access to the network being restricted. Additional steps as outlined below may be undertaken if deemed appropriate. Note that the Recording Industry Association of America, in particular, has begun sending “setlement letters” to many colleges, including HMC, with a request that the college pass on the letter to the user. The college does not release information about users to whom IP addresses are assigned, unless the college is served with a valid subpoena. However, we will have to pass along “settlement letters.” If you receive such a letter, you will more than likely have to hire a lawyer and may have to pay a substantial settlement fee.

G.  When there is evidence of inappropriate use of campus computing or networking resources, authorized college personnel will take steps to investigate. This may include monitoring traffic on the network, including its contents, and examining files on any system which has connected to the HMC network. 

H.  If you wish, you may connect your own computer to the HMC network in your dorm room to offer computing resources on the network. If you do so, then you are responsible for the resources you offer, and you must register the resources. Details are provided in HMC’s policy on “Offering Resources on the HMC Network.”

For students, violations of appropriate use may result in one or more of the following actions:

1. A written warning to the offender. 
2. A restriction on the hours available to access a system for a specified term. 
3. A revocation of system access for a specified term. 
4. A statement of charges to the appropriate disciplinary body at the student’s home college.

If you have questions regarding the appropriate use of computing and network resources at Harvey Mudd College, you should contact either the Chief Information Officer or the Harvey Mudd College Computing Committee.