As of 01 Jul 2004, this policy is superseded by the University's
"Code of Computer Ethics and Acceptable Use Policy".
This document remains for historical purposes only.
Iowa State University endorses the following statement of Software and Intellectual Rights that was developed
through EDUCOM, a non-profit consortium of colleges and universities committed to the use and management of
information technology in higher education.
"Respect for intellectual labor and creativity is vital to academic discourse and enterprise. This principle applies to works of all authors and publishers in all media. It encompasses respect for the right to acknowledgment, right to privacy, and right to determine the form, manner, and terms of publication and distribution.
"Because electronic information is volatile and easily reproduced, respect for the work and personal expression of others is especially critical in computer environments. Violations of authorial integrity, including plagiarism,
invasion of privacy, unauthorized access, and trade secret and copyright violations, may be grounds for sanctions
against members of the academic community."
The above statement provides a guide for the ethical use of computer facilities whether one is using a
microcomputer, minicomputer, mainframe computer or supercomputer, or computer network, and whether the
computer files, programs or data are stored on floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, or other storage media.
Computer facilities and files owned by others should be used or accessed only with the owner's permission.
Viewing or using another person's computer files, programs, or data without authorized permission is unethical
behavior and an invasion of that person's privacy. Such behavior, if used for personal gain, is plagiarism. Ethical standards apply even when material appears to be legally unprotected. Improper use of copyrighted material may
be illegal.
Guidelines Governing Ethical Computer Use at ISU
- Unauthorized access to restricted databases is unethical.
- Use of computer facilities by an individual must be authorized by the owner or administrative
unit. Prior permission to use another user's computer account or user-id must be acquired from
the owner of the account, who is responsible for its use. Changing another person's password is
considered a form of harassment and is unethical behavior.
- Users are responsible for their use of computer hardware, accounts, and user-ids. These should
be used only for the stated purpose; for example, instructional class accounts must be used only
to support the given courses. University computer facilities are not to be used for private
monetary gain unless specifically authorized for such use.
- Users must not browse, access, copy, or change private files without authorization, or change
public files without authorization. Users must not attempt to modify the computer systems or
software in any unauthorized manner. The use of invasive software, such as "worms" and
"viruses" destructive to computer systems, is unethical and illegal. Copyrighted software must
only be used in accordance with its license or purchase agreement. Users do not have the right
to receive and/or use unauthorized copies of software, or make unauthorized copies of
software for themselves or others.
- University computing facilities are a valuable resource for University use and they should be
conserved. Users should properly utilize these resources to minimize any unnecessary impact
of their work on others, for example, users should avoid excessive game playing.
- ISU policies regarding the appropriate use of university facilities and the ethics of personal
behavior apply to the use of all forms of electronic communication. In addition, users of any
electronic communication facilities, such as electronic mail, networks, bulletin boards and
newsgroups, are obligated to comply with the restrictions and acceptable practices established
for those specific facilities. Certain types of communications are expressly forbidden. This
includes the random mailing of messages; the sending of obscene, harassing, or threatening
material; or the use of the facilities for commercial or political purposes.
- Hardware, software, manuals, supplies, etc., must not be removed from computing sites without
proper authorization.
- Abuse or misuse of any computer hardware or software will be regarded as illegal and/or
unethical behavior.
Violations
Violations of the University Code of Computer Ethics are treated like any other ethical violation as outlined in the Student Handbook and applicable faculty and staff handbooks. Violators may also be billed for illegal use of the computer systems and may be prosecuted for statutory violations, including Chapter 716A, Computer Crime, of
the Iowa Code.
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