About Residential Computing: Policy: Overview of Stanford Computing and Network Usage Policies

As with other aspects of campus life and other Stanford resources, you're expected to know, understand, and abide by certain policies in your use of University computing, network, and information resources. Some of these policies are driven by legal requirements or by the University's status as a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization; others are based on the fact that the network is a shared resource or on common sense about respecting the rights of others in the Stanford community. In general, anything that's illegal or that violates any University policy - such as the Honor Code, the sexual harassment policy, or the Fundamental Standard -- is also a violation if it's done using any University computing resources or the Stanford network.

Below are summaries of the major relevant policies, with links to the complete texts. It will only take you a few minutes to follow those links and read the complete policies. By clicking on the button at the bottom of the page, you certify that you understand the policies governing computing at Stanford.

1. Stanford Computer and Network Usage Policy (see full text)

a. Copyrights and licenses: Computer users must respect copyrights and licenses to software, entertainment materials, published and unpublished documents, and any other legally protected digital information. Protected material may not be copied into, from, or by any University facility or system, except pursuant to a valid license or as otherwise permitted by copyright law.

b. Integrity of information resources: Computer users must not attempt to modify or remove computer equipment, software, or peripherals owned by others without authorization; encroach on others' use of the University's information resources or digital information; or intentionally develop or use programs that disrupt other computer or network users.

c. Unauthorized access: Computer users must not seek unauthorized access to information resources or enable others to do so.

d. Usage: Computer users must respect the rights of other users. Use of any electronic communication (email, instant messaging, etc.) to send send fraudulent, harassing, obscene, threatening, or other messages that are a violation of applicable federal, state or other law or University policy is prohibited. Users must respect the purpose and charters of computer mailing lists. See Rules for Online Conduct below.

e. Political, personal, and commercial use: University information resources must not be used for some partisan political activities prohibited by law for nonprofit organizations; for personal activities unrelated to appropriate University functions; and for commercial purposes defined as "unrelated business activity."

Consequences of misuse can include disciplinary action up to and including discharge, dismissal, expulsion, and/or legal action. Users are expected to cooperate with system administrators in any investigation. Computing privileges may be suspended or restricted during an investigation; students may appeal and petition for reinstatement of privileges through the Dean of Students. Student misuse of computer and network privileges such as unauthorized use of another person's identification or password, using the network to send abusive messages, or using computer facilities to interfere with the work of another student or faculty or staff member may also violate the Fundamental Standard. Student Fundamental Standard cases are handled by the Judicial Affairs Office.

2. Residential Computing Acceptable Use Policy (see full text)

In addition to the University-wide policies, Residential Computing has specific regulations for the use of the residence networks and clusters.

Residential Network Acceptable Use Policy

• You may not modify or extend network services or wiring beyond their intended use.
• You may not use the residential network to provide SUNet or Internet access to anyone outside the University for a purpose other than direct support of the academic mission, or re-transmit Stanford resources outside of the University community.
• The residential network is only for the use of residents of on-campus housing, and students living in the residences must register their network connections through ResComp. Registering with your department is not an option.
• Routers, DHCP servers, or NAT servers are generally not allowed in the student residences.

Computer Cluster Acceptable Use Policy

• Clusters may be used only by members of the residence in which they are located, unless the local residence community decides otherwise.
• Academic work by students takes precedence over all other uses of the cluster 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.
• Any theft of or damage to cluster computer equipment or furnishings 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.

3. Rules for Online Conduct (see Terms of use for sites for full text)

By using and participating in any chatroom, newsgroup, bulletin board, mailing list (including residence or student group chatlist), website, transaction or other online forum available at stanford.edu, stanfordalumni.org, or other Stanford site, you agree to abide by all applicable laws; agree not to engage in partisan political activities; and agree that you will not email or post any of the following content on any Stanford computing resources:

• Content that defames or threatens others
• Statements that are bigoted, hateful or racially offensive
• Content that discusses illegal activities with the intent to commit them
• Content that infringes another's intellectual property, including, but not limited to, copyrights, trademarks or trade secrets
• Material that contains vulgar or obscene language or images
• Advertising or any form of commercial solicitation

Related links:

File-Sharing and Copyright Law: How it Affects You (Frequently Asked Questions)

Provost's Statement on Copyrighted Materials and File-Sharing Networks

Policy on Electronic Commerce

Policy on Chat Rooms and Other Forums Using Stanford Domains or Computer Services

Policy on Unrelated Business Activity