Department of Computer Science

Educational Laboratory ["EdLab"]

Acceptable Use Policy

Students must bear certain responsibilities in order to continue using the EdLab computing resources. The Computer Science Computing Facility relies on users to refrain from deliberate attempts to abuse the systems. EdLab users must consult with the CSCF prior to undertaking any activity which could be interpreted as compromising the reliability and security of computer systems and networks.

Several other specific responsibilities are described below.

  1. Proper Use
    The EdLab computers and network are funded by a variety of State, University, student, and commercial sources. Students in Computer Science courses may use the EdLab services for educational purposes only. Personal, for-profit activities are explicitly forbidden.

  2. Shared Resources
    The EdLab resources are limited, and are shared by many students. To avoid performance and/or service denial problems, users must refrain from activities that consume an unreasonable amount of resources. Users may not run IRCs, MUDs, VNC, or similar applications at any time. Also refrain from running any screen locking process on the EdLab systems.

  3. Unauthorized Access
    1. EdLab users may access information that belongs to them, is permitted to them, or is public. Users must not attempt to decode, crack, or discover passwords or data that belong to others.
    2. The CSCF may remove users who are found to possess programs that could be used to access private information that belongs to others.
    3. The CSCF may disable accounts that are thought to have been compromised.
    4. Users are responsible for any activity that occurs from their accounts. EdLab accounts should not be made accessible to anyone other than the designated owner -- no password sharing or rhosting.
    5. Users who have reason to believe that their accounts may have been compromised are advised to change passwords and contact the CSCF immediately.
    6. Users are specifically prohibited from installing or tampering with network software components on EdLab PCs.

  4. Harassment
    EdLab users must not use EdLab resources to harass others. This is considered a serious offense which the Department of Computer Science will pursue according to University regulations.
    1. Sending unrequested objectionable (as defined by the recipient) material to others is considered to be harassment, as is the viewing of objectionable (as defined by the person objecting) graphics on a user's desktop or workspace.
    2. Users may not use EdLab resources to support inappropriate activities on any network, even if the activities don't interfere directly with the operation of EdLab services. The CSCF will diligently pursue allegations of network or systems abuse (including but not limited to "hacking", "cracking", "spamming", "portscanning", or "piracy") and other improper activities.

  5. Enforcement
    The CSCF will prompty investigate any activity that is called to its attention, or that is noticed by the staff during day-to-day operations or routine maintenance.

    Students are reminded that access to EdLab resources is a privilege afforded them in order to facilitate coursework in CS classes, not a right implied by enrollment.

    1. The CSCF reserves the right to temporarily disable access to EdLab resources at any time.
    2. The Department Chair has the authority to revoke accounts permanently if deemed necessary.
    3. Activities which appear to violate the Code of Student Conduct will also be pursued through normal University disciplinary channels.
  6. Scope
    This policy is intended to complement rather than replace any applicable University of Massachusetts regulations.

CSCF -- (system@cs.umass.edu) Last modified: Wed Jul 02 10:10:39 EDT 2003