These guidelines are supplemental to the "University of Maryland at College Park Guidelines for the Acceptable Use of Computing Resources".
 

1. Responsibility
Computing decisions are made with the advice of the faculty.
 

2. Oversight
These guidelines apply to department-purchased computing facilities in open access areas (Department Public Computers). These areas include the department
computer room/ modeling lab. In addition, decisions with regard to department support for software or hardware for department-purchased computers not in open
access areas (e.g., in faculty or department offices or research labs -- Department Private Computers) are considered a department computing decision. 
 

3. Separation of Support Responsibilities
Department computing facilities are considered to belong to one of two classes. These classes are determined primarily by the use of these computers. Department Private Computers in administrative use, and Department Public Computers, except UNIX (e.g., Sun) systems, are supported by department funds. Such funding will support input and output functions of these systems, as well as system and software upgrades, and maintenance. UNIX (e.g., Sun) systems, whether Department Public Computers or Department Private Computers, will be supported by research funds. These funds will support input and output functions of these systems, system and software upgrades, and the costs of service accounts.
 

4. Access to Department Public Computers
In general, these systems will be open to all faculty, staff, and graduate students in the department. Access hours are controlled, and access to some platforms and peripherals may be limited. Access to the laboratory by graduate students, faculty, and staff is by ID on a 24 hour basis. Access to this laboratory by undergraduate majors in the Geology Department is at times specified on the room door, or with permission (initial request should be directed to Dr. P.M. Piccoli, piccoli@geol.umd.edu).
 

5. Personal Files on Department Public Computers
Because of the need to optimize system operation, disks must be periodically purged of unneeded (or no-longer-needed) files. Such disk maintenance will be
undertaken on an as-needed basis. Appropriate warning will be provided to users of Department Public Computers of such upcoming hard disk maintenance, to
allow backup or transfer of personal files, or, in exceptional cases, appeals for a maintenance delay.
 

6. Personal Software on Department Public Computers
The installation of personal software on Department Public Computers will be with Department approval only. It is anticipated that such approval will be granted
only if it can be demonstrated that no other installed copies of the software exist elsewhere in the Department, and that the installation of the software would benefit the teaching or research functions of the Department.
 
 

Miscellaneous Notes About Computing in Geology
 
 

Access to Computers

The Department of Geology maintains one departmental computer room (modeling laboratories) in the Geology Building. Full-time graduate students will have their ID registered to activate the door. Upper level undergraduate students can be granted permission on a need to access basis (possibly requiring faculty sponsorship) for use in geology-related research. People who do not have their ID activated for the door, should not be in the room. Please do not let them in. Providing access to computers in the Department to unauthorized persons may lead to withdrawal of your computing privileges.

When using departmental computers, keep the following in mind:

Software illegally installed on the computers will be removed.

Personal files should not be stored on departmental computers - they will be removed periodically from machines.

Virus checkers are loaded onto all PCs - if your disk has a virus, the computer will shut down so that the virus is not transmitted (if this occurs, send
e-mail to geology-computers@glue.umd.edu stating such to have the virus removed from your disks).

Printing is a privilege. At present, Geology is the only department on Campus that allows students to print at no cost to them. Printers are not xerox machines,
devices to print relatives resumes, etc. Abuse of this sort will ensure that a cost for use scheme will be implemented. Please use caution when filling paper trays, and
please send a note to geology-computers@glue.umd.edu when a low toner message appears.
 

Electronic Mail Accounts

All members of the Department of Geology community receive an e-mail account. Mail can be accessed at any PC/Mac/Workstation connected to the network.
 

Problems and Comments Pertaining to Computers

An electronic mail account has been set up in the department to report computer hardware and software problems in computer rooms, requests for information, etc., nas follows geology-computers@glue.umd.edu

Responses to requests will be made through electronic mail whenever possible.
 

Departmental Home Page

The department maintains a home page that can be accessed through the internet. The address for the page is: http://www.geol.umd.edu

Several graduate students have their own pages. If you would like to set up your own, send an e-mail message to geology-computers@glue.umd.edu stating such. If you have any comments, questions, etc., about the home page, you can send those to the same address.

The Computer Science Center Acceptable Use Policy, attached below, is on file as official University policy as outlined in the Code of Student Conduct.
 
 

University of Maryland
Guidelines for the Acceptable Use of Computing Resources

Primary Principles: Freedom of Expression and Personal Responsibility

Freedom of expression and an open environment to pursue scholarly inquiry and for sharing of information are encouraged, supported, and protected at the University of Maryland. These values lie at the core of our academic community. Censorship is not compatible with the tradition and goals of the University. While some computing resources may be dedicated to specific research, teaching, or administrative tasks that would limit their use, freedom of expression must, in general, be protected. The University does not limit access to information due to its content when it meets the standard of legality. The University's policy of freedom of expression applies to computing resources.

Concomitant with free expression are personal obligations of each member of our community to use computing resources responsibly, ethically, and in a manner which accords both with the law and the rights of others. The campus depends first upon a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation to create and maintain an open community of responsible users.

General

These guidelines set forth standards for responsible and acceptable use of University computing resources. They supplement existing University policies, agreements, and state and federal laws and regulations. Computing resources include host computer systems, University-sponsored computers and workstations, communications networks, software, and files.

Computing resources are provided to support the academic research, instructional, and administrative objectives of the University. These resources are extended for the sole use of University faculty, staff, students, and other authorized users ("users") to accomplish tasks related to the user's status at the University, and consistent with University's mission.

Users are responsible for safeguarding their identification (ID) codes and passwords, and for using them for their intended purposes only. Each user is responsible for all transactions made under the authorization of his or her ID, and for all network activity originating from his or her data jack. Users are solely responsible for their personal use of computing resources and are prohibited from representing or implying that the content constitutes the views or policies of the University.

Violation of these guidelines constitutes unacceptable use of computing resources, and may violate other University policies and/or state and federal law. Suspected or known violations should be reported to the appropriate University computing unit. Violations will be processed by the appropriate University authorities and/or law enforcement agencies. Violations may result in revocation of computing resource privileges, academic dishonesty or Honor Council proceedings, faculty, staff or student disciplinary action, or legal action.

User Responsibilities

The following provisions describe conduct prohibited under these guidelines:
1. Altering system software or hardware configurations without authorization, or disrupting or interfering with the delivery or administration of computer resources.
2. Attempting to access or accessing another's account, private files, or e-mail without the owner's permission; or misrepresenting oneself as another individual in electronic communication.
3. Installing, copying, distributing or using software in violation of: copyright and/or software agreements; applicable state and federal laws; or the principles described in Using Software, A Guide to the Ethical and Legal Use of Software for Members of the Academic Community, available at www.inform.umd.edu/software-guide.
4. Using computing resources to engage in conduct which interferes with others' use of shared computer resources and/or the activities of other users, including studying, teaching, research, and University administration.
5. Using computing resources for commercial or profit-making purposes without written authorization from the University.
6. Failing to adhere to individual departmental or unit lab and system policies, procedures, and protocols.
7. Allowing access to computer resources by unauthorized users.
8. Using computer resources for illegal activities. Criminal and illegal use may include obscenity, child pornography, threats, harassment, copyright infringement, defamation, theft, and unauthorized access.
Administration

The maintenance, operation, and security of computing resources require responsible University personnel to monitor and access the system. To the extent possible in the electronic environment and in a public setting, a user's privacy will be preserved. Nevertheless, that privacy is subject to the Maryland Access to Public Records Act, other applicable state and federal laws, and the needs of the University to meet its administrative, business, and legal obligations.

August, 1996, Revised July, 2000

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Any questions, comments, or suggestions regarding this page can be directed to the Office of Information Technology Policy and Planning staff at (301)405-7349, or by e-mail at policy@umail.umd.edu

 Information about the legal and ethical use of computing resources can be found at Project NETethics.