Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources

Catalog Number
IT
005
Scope

All users of UMass Amherst information technology resources (including but not limited to the network, computers, printers, and information technology systems).

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to inform all users of information technology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst of their obligation to comply with all existing laws and institutional policies in their use of information technology resources.

Policy

Overview

All violations of law or institutional policy in physical space are also violations when in the use of University of Massachusetts Amherst's Information Technology resources.

By approval of the Chancellor of University of Massachusetts Amherst, this policy incorporates all other institutional policy. This incorporation includes (but is not limited to) the Academic Integrity, Campus Code of Conduct, Human Resource, Research Misconduct, Information and Data Governance Policies, and Financial and Facilities Policies.

Obligations to Report Violations

Users of information technology resources have an obligation to report credible violations of this policy. If it is an emergency, contact the UMass Amherst Police at 413-545-3111. For non-emergencies contact it-abuse@umass.edu. Ethics and policy violations, and fraud should be reported to the Internal Audit confidential Ethics & Fraud Awareness Center.

Every person to whom this policy applies has the responsibility to safeguard institutional information technology resources.

As a delegate of the Chancellor, the Vice chancellor for Information Technology & CIO has the right to authorize the limitation or restriction of the use of its computing and information technology resources, including content at rest, in storage, and in transit, for the good of the campus community and to protect the integrity of those resources and the rights of users.

This authority extends to the right to examine material stored on or transmitted through its resources if there is cause to believe that the standards for acceptable use are being violated.

For prevailing legal and policy standards, and reporting options as they relate to Acceptable Use of Information Technology resources, please see related resources (at bottom of page).

Failure to comply with the appropriate use of these resources threatens the atmosphere for the sharing of information, the free exchange of ideas, and the secure environment for information technology resources. Individuals in violation of this policy may be subject to disciplinary proceedings.

Policy Manager
Matthew Dalton, Chief Information Security Officer
Contacts
Contact Name
Matthew Dalton
Contact Title
Chief Information Security Officer
Contact Email
Contact Telephone
Contact Name
Chris Misra
Contact Title
Vice Chancellor for IT
Contact Email
Contact Telephone
Approval Authority
Vice Chancellor and Chief Information Officer
Executive Unit
Information Technology