The University of Wisconsin-Extension
www.uwex.edu
Home
Contact us
Print
Search:

Chief Information Office

Guidelines for Appropriate Use of University of Wisconsin-Extension Information Technology Resources

The University of Wisconsin-Extension provides broad access to information technology resources (computers, software, electronic mail accounts, Internet access, databases, and networks) for UW-Extension students, faculty, and staff. The computing and telecommunications facilities and services provided by UW-Extension are primarily intended for teaching, research, and administrative purposes. Their use is governed by all applicable University policies and all Federal, State, and local statutes and laws, including those dealing with sexual harassment, patents and licensing, and student, faculty, and staff disciplinary actions.

Each member of the UW-Extension community is expected to protect the integrity of UW-Extension information technology resources and to know and adhere to all UW-Extension, UW-Madison, and UW System rules, regulations, and guidelines for their appropriate use. Regulations that govern personal conduct and use of UW-Extension facilities also apply to the use of information technology resources. UW-Extension employees should familiarize themselves with the UW System Administration "Policy on the Use of University Information Technology Resources" which was approved by the Board of Regents on June 6, 1997 and the UW-Madison "Guidelines for Appropriate Use of University Information Technology Resources". This UW-Extension guideline was in large part based on and derived from those guidelines.

Individual Responsibility:
Authorization for use of UW-Extension information technology resources is provided to each individual for his or her own use. No person may use an authorization that belongs to someone else. Users must protect the confidentiality of their personal identification codes and passwords and are expected to exercise reasonable care to ensure that others cannot use their accounts. In the event that a user's password is compromised, the user must take steps to ensure that the confidentiality of that account is reestablished.
"Hacking":
Persons may not obtain, attempt to obtain, use, or attempt to use passwords, Internet Protocol addresses or other network codes that have not been assigned to them as individuals or authorized for their use as UW-Extension employees. Persons may not obtain or attempt to obtain unauthorized access to computer accounts, software, files, or any other UW-Extension information technology resources.
Malicious Activity:
Persons may not alter or intentionally damage software or data belonging to someone else or interfere with another person's authorized access to information technology resources. Users may not intentionally disrupt or damage UW-Extension computers or networks in any way.
Impersonation and Anonymity:
Users of UW-Extension information technology resources may not send electronic messages with the sender's identity forged or send anonymous messages unless the recipient has agreed to receive anonymous messages.
Commercial, Political and Non-University Activities:
Persons may not use UW-Extension information technology resources to sell or solicit sales for any goods, services or contributions unless such use conforms to UW-Extension rules and regulations governing the use of UW-Extension resources. UW-Extension employees may not use these resources to support the nomination of any person for political office or to influence a vote in any election or referendum. No one may use UW-Extension information technology resources to represent the interests of any non-University group or organization unless authorized by an appropriate UW-Extension department.
Incidental Personal Usage:
In the interest of making the use of information technology resources a natural part of the day-to-day learning and work of all members of the UW-Extension community, incidental personal use of UW-Extension information technology resources is permitted. However, individuals should use non-UW-Extension sources of e-mail, Internet access, and other information technology services for activities of an extensive nature that are not related to UW-Extension purposes.
Copyright Law:
The federal copyright law applies to materials published or circulated through the use of UW-Extension information technology resources. Detailed guidelines regarding software-related copyright policy can be found in the UW-Extension Software Policy published on this website.
Privacy and Confidentiality:
No information technology resources can guarantee the privacy or confidentiality of electronic documents. UW-Extension, will, however, take reasonable precautions to protect electronic documents containing private and confidential information. In addition, the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act restricts access to personally identifiable information from students' education records.
Other Policies:
In addition to the policies set forth in this document, UW-Extension employees working in County Offices, other UW institutions, and other offices, may also be subject to appropriate use policies of those organizations.

If you have any questions regarding this guideline, please contact David Prucha at (608) 262-0826 or Marsha Henfer, Chief Information Officer, at (608) 263-6012 - .