Introduction
Salve Regina University is dedicated to the mission of "seeking wisdom, promoting universal
justice and through teaching, research and community service to work for a world that is
harmonious, just and merciful." In support of this mission, the university provides access to
information technology resources (including computer networks and computer equipment) to
its faculty, student, staff and other members of the university community. The Computer and
Network Use Policy (Policy) contains the University's philosophy and requirements governing
faculty, students, staff and other members of the community in their use of the University's
information technology resources.
General Principles
The information technology resources are to be used exclusively to further the mission of the
University. All members of the university community have the obligation to use these resources
in a manner consistent with this goal.
The University's information technology resource is a finite, shared resource of its community
worthy of respect. As such, the University expects each member of the community to use these
resources responsibly, ethically and to comply with the Policy, relevant laws and contractual
obligations to other parties.
The use of these resources is a privilege. If a member of the community fails to comply with the
Policy or relevant laws or contractual obligations, that member's privilege may be revoked.
Members of the University community should seriously bear in mind that their use of the
University's resources contributes to the perception that the public at large has of the University.
In addition, each time a member of the University community uses these resources (such as
sending email) in relation to non-University persons or entities that member is identified as
belonging to the University community. As such, everyone should use these resources consistent
with the freedom of expression but without compromising the integrity and the well being of
the University.
Computer Account and Revocation Procedures
All members of the University community are provided with a network username and password
upon their enrollment in a course or the start of their employment. Access to the University's
network system may be revoked temporarily or permanently if one's information technology
related behavior or use of one's network account falls within one or more of the following
circumstances:
- Involvement in violation of federal or state law or criminal activity.
- Behavior that constitutes a violation of a University policy or code, including this Policy.
- The use of the Internet or the University's computer network and associated resources for
one's own commercial gain, or for commercial purposes not officially sanctioned by the
University.
Your use of your account constitutes acknowledgement and acceptance of all published rules and
regulations regarding the network, including this Policy.
Freedom of expression and an open environment within which to pursue scholarly inquiry and
to share information are encouraged and supported at the University. While the University
rejects censorship, behavior that constitutes misconduct will not be protected. Such behavior
includes, but is not limited to use of, the University's information technology resources in
connection with child pornography, harassment of any kind, copyright infringement, theft,
unauthorized access and other violations of the law.
Privacy
Members of the University community are entitled to privacy in their use of information
resources. Each user number, log-in name, account name, or any other username and associated
password belongs to an individual or a department. No one should use a user number, log-in
name, any username or account name and password without explicit permission from the
owner. No one should use aliases, nicknames, pointers, or other electronic means to attempt to
impersonate, redirect, or confuse those who use the information resources. Each member of the
University community shall accept the burden for the responsible use and dissemination of his
or her user number, log-in name, username and account name and password and is further
responsible for any authorized use of one's account.
The University, to fulfill its responsibility to the academic community, reserves the right to
monitor periodically the activities on its network system. Further, the University may be subject
to subpoena or other lawfully mandated legal process related to unlawful use or other violations
which will subject the entire network or individual accounts to outside monitoring.
Intellectual Property
The University expects all members of its community to respect the property of others and to be
aware of how intellectual laws, regulations and policies that apply to the electronic environment.
In this regard, all personnel should be familiar with the University's copyright policy, the Faculty
Manual and the Student's Handbook. No member of the University community shall use another's
material or property in a way that violates copyright law or infringes on the rights held by
others. In particular, the unauthorized duplication or use of software that is licensed or protected
by copyright is theft.
Members of the University community should recognize that placing their work in the electronic
public domain may result in widespread distribution of their work and could jeopardize their
rights to that work. One should assume that works communicated through the network are
subject to copyright unless there is a specific disclaimer to the contrary.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism basically occurs when a person uses someone else's creative work but fails to give that
person credit. It also occurs even when a person credits the author but uses his exact words without
so indicating with quotation marks or block indentations. It even occurs when a person uses
words so close to those in the source, that if the person placed his/her work next to the source,
you would see that it could not have been written without the source 'at the elbow.' "Plagiarism
constitutes intellectual theft [emphasis added]. Strictly speaking, it is a moral and ethical offense
rather than a legal one, since most instances of plagiarism fall outside the scope of copyright
infringement, a legal offense. Nevertheless, plagiarism often carries severe penalties, ranging from
failure in a course to expulsion from school" (Joseph Gibaldi, MLA Handbook for Writers of
Research Papers, 5th ed. [New York: The Modern Language Association of America, 1999]: 30).
Given the increasingly widespread use in academia of computer technology and online sources
of information, 'plagiarism and the Web' assumes a particularly important moment today.
Where plagiarism and the Web runs anywhere from unreferenced electronic sources through ecommerce
companies that prepare student papers (even in their own style!) to other companies
which can scan papers for possible plagiarism, the task of cultivating ethical scholars faces serious
challenges. In this respect, every person should consult those sources that devote particular
attention to the method of properly referencing electronic sources. In this regard, two sources
are currently in widespread use: Kate L. Turabian, A Manual ..., 158-64 and especially Joseph
Gibaldi, MLA Handbook ..., 158-201.
By adopting this Policy the University recognizes that all its faculty, students, staff and other
members of the University community are bound not only by the Policy but also by local state
and federal laws related to electronic media, copyrights, privacy and security. Each member of
the University community is expected to be familiar with the foregoing laws.
