Residential Computing Acceptable Use Policy

Residential Computing at Stanford University provides computer clusters and in-room connection services in selected on-campus residences in support of the educational mission of the University. It is the responsibility of each resident to use these services appropriately and in compliance with all University, City, County, State, and Federal laws and regulations.

Residential Network Acceptable Use Policy

• Residential Computing network services and wiring may not be modified or extended beyond the area of their intended use. This applies to all network wiring, hardware, and cluster and in-room jacks.
• The residential network (in-room connections or computer cluster connections) may not be used to provide SUNet or Internet access to anyone outside of the University community for any purposes other than those that are in direct support of the academic mission of the University.
• Stanford-specific or commercially obtained network resources may not be retransmitted outside of the University community. Examples include: the su.* newsgroups, the clari.* news hierarchies, and Britannica On-Line.
• The residential network is a shared resource. Thus, network use or applications which inhibit or interfere with the use of the network by others are not permitted. (For example, applications which use an unusually high portion of the bandwidth for extended periods of time, thus inhibiting the use of the network by others, are not permitted).
• Use of the residential network must comply with the University's policies on Unrelated Business Activity and Unrelated Business Income.
• Forgery or other misrepresentation of one's identity via electronic or any other form of communication is a Fundamental Standard violation. Prosecution under State and Federal laws may also apply.

Computer Cluster Acceptable Use Policy

Specifically:

• Residential computing clusters may be used only by members of the residence in which they are located, unless the local residence community decides otherwise. In any case, residential computing clusters are for the use of on-campus residents only. (Brief, incidental, low priority use may also be permitted by the local residence community to academic advisors and other faculty or staff members invited to the dorm.)
• Academic work by students takes precedence over all other uses of the cluster computers (such as games, non-academic e-mail, etc.).
• Stanford students have priority over non-students (spouses, children, etc.) in using the computers.
• Anyone engaged in an activity or use of the cluster computers which hampers or interferes with the ability of other students to do academic work may be asked to quit the activity and/or leave the cluster by other users of the cluster. Examples include excessive computer volume, loud conversation, and disruptive behavior.

Furthermore:

• Food and drink are not permitted in any residence cluster. Smoking is prohibited throughout all University buildings, as detailed in the Stanford Smoke-Free Environment Policy.
• Any theft of or damage to residential cluster computer equipment will be the financial responsibility of the local residence if the theft or damage resulted from negligence on the part of residence members (e.g. - leaving the doors to the cluster propped open). If the theft or damage can be traced to a specific individual, or group of individuals, then they will be held personally financially responsible for the damage or theft.
• Unlawful copying of software is not permitted, as detailed under the Stanford Guidelines on Software Copying (from Memo 62 of the Stanford University Administrative Guide).

Overall Acceptable Use Policies

Stanford's sexual harassment policy covers all uses of electronic technology and communication on campus, including e-mail correspondences and newsgroups. Refer to the Sexual Harassment Policy for further information and a description of your options for addressing sexual harassment. The Understanding Stanford's Sexual Harassment Policy document contains additional information, and a list of contact and resource people. For further assistance, contact the Sexual Harassment Policy Coordinating Adviser at 3-3682, or send e-mail to harass@leland.

Use of the Stanford UNIX computer facilities is outlined in The Leland Systems Computer Usage Policies.

A Proposed University-wide Computer Usage Policy is also currently in review by the Faculty Senate.

Residential Computing reserves the right to terminate any in-room or cluster computer connection without notice should it be determined that network traffic generated from said connection drastically inhibits or interferes with the use of the network by others.

Student violations of the above policies will be handled through the Office of Residential Computing and the Judicial Affairs Office; other violations will be referred, as appropriate, to the Provost's Office, Personnel Services, and/or the Stanford University Police Department.

Acceptable Use Policies at Other Academic Institutions