Understanding the Network User Agreement

What It Says

Preface:  The privilege of use by a student is not transferable to another student, to an outside individual, or to an outside organization                  

What It Means

As a Drew student, you have access to resources and privileges unavailable to those not affiliated with the university.   Free access the the internet, academic subscriptions, and licenses for a variety of academic software programs are available to you as a member of the Drew community.  Allowing another individual to access these resources is a violation of the Network User Agreement.

What It Says 

Preface:  Your use of Drew's networking services connects you to the entire Drew community and to the world via the Internet, and therefore reflects on you and on the institution        

What It Means

Before enrolling at Drew, you probably had only a personal email account, which may have felt a bit anonymous in the huge sea of internet users. You could do and say whatever you liked online, and it was only a reflection of your personal tastes, thoughts and attitudes.

As a computer user with a Drew network ID, you now represent Drew to the rest of the world. Other accounts or identities do not associate you with Drew, but your uLogin ID does. This means that what you do and say online now reflects not only on yourself, but on Drew as an institution. As a college student, you should be representing yourself and Drew in the most respectful, professional manner possible, both online and in real life.

Image is not the only concern that comes with a Drew uLogin ID. Posting and using Drew email messages means that other online users can find you. People can and have found students electronically by investigating their publicly used Drew email addresses on discussion boards. This can lead to annoying but harmless activities such as brief “flame wars,” but can also lead to more serious issues, such as cyberbullying and hate crimes, both of which are illegal and, if perpetrated by Drew users, are considered malicious use of the network.  More on this in the next section.

No matter the online activity or time of day, ALWAYS think first before typing.

What It Says

9.  Malicious use of the network is strictly forbidden by university computer usage policies.  This includes but is not limited to: sending harassing or threatening messages; attempting to forge messages, crack passwords, intercept data or circumvent server security; sending bulk unsolicited email, or sending data intended to disrupt services.                          

What It Means

Hate Mail and Cyberbullying

"...sending harassing or threatening messages..."

As a member of the Drew community you are expected to uphold the values and policies of the University, especially concerning issues of diversity and tolerance. Harassing faculty, staff, other Drew students, students at other universities, or private citizens by using your Drew network privileges can result in expulsion from the university. Hate mail to professors or fellow students, hateful personal web pages, or cyberbullying are all strictly forbidden. Even an innocent but ill-worded email to the wrong recipient can result in charges of harassment or perpetration of a hate crime. Any Drew user violating this policy through Drew email, Drew forums, or private email addresses (i.e. Gmail) accessed via the campus network will be subjected to disciplinary measures by the university and cases referred to local law enforcement where appropriate.  Should you experience any of this kind of harassment or discrimination, contact CNS immediately; the administration needs to become involved in any incidents so that you and your rights are protected.

Use these rules for online interaction:

Remember: You DO NOT have to respond to offensive online material.  It is perfectly acceptable to ignore online items that you find distressing. 

1. Never write responses to forums, bulletin boards, or blogs when you are angry or upset.

2. If angry or upset, wait 24 hours before responding to the item that provoked you.

3. Report any harassment you experience online to Computing and Network Services (CNS) by calling Betsy Black, Manager of User Services at ce.

Creation of Spam and Malware

"...sending bulk unsolicited email, or sending data intended to disrupt services..."

Drew users are also forbidden from knowingly creating and propagating SPAM via Drew email services. It is strictly against policy for anyone to sell Drew email addresses to outside sources such as advertising companies.

Likewise, creating viruses, adware, or spyware- collectively known as malware - and sending them into or through the Drew network is forbidden.  Students engaging in such activities will be subject to disciplinary measures.

Creating a Security Risk

"...attempting to forge messages, crack passwords, intercept data or circumvent server security..."

Attempting to break into another Drew user's files, network storage space, or computer is a serious offense.  Similarly, impersonating another Drew user in order to perpetrate any malicious use of the network will be dealt with severely.  Interruption of the network and breaches of the security will be dealt with in the most severe manner available.

What It Says

 2.  ...Your network identity and uLogin account uniquely identify you, and are not transferable to other members of the Drew community...

3.  Protect your uLogin password or other credentials at all times.  You will be held responsible for all activities which occur with your uLogin account.                              

What It Means

NEVER share your Drew uLogin information (username and password) with anyone, no matter how well you know them. Legally, only you can use your account; If you allow someone else to use your account, and they hack or exploit the network, there is no real way for CNS or Drew to distinguish between you and the offending party, and you will be legally responsible for all activities and damages related to your account name. Your Drew uLogin information is like a fingerprint, so keep the information safe and confidential.

Please also be aware that Computing and Network Services will never ask you for your uLogin information. Should you get an email or other correspondence asking for your uLogin ID and password, disregard it – this is an attempt at phishing, and can lead to identity theft. One password/one login enables someone to access your campus balances, your email, all of your files, medical information, and financial information. Sharing your uLogin ID and password in response to a fraudulent email is a violation of the Network User Agreement.

What It Says

 1.  ...Non-academic use of the Drew network will always be restricted in favor of academic usage when the situation dictates.                                             

What It Means

There are more than 3,000 people who use and depend on the Drew Computer Network every day. The Theological School has online programs for distance learning. Students and professors use the network drives to store and share class information. Staff members use email and the network to accomplish necessary tasks for supporting teaching and learning. This means that activities unrelated to academics cannot be allowed to interfere with the university’s mission – teaching and learning.

Restricting Network Storage Space

Of course, you are welcome to use email to send personal messages, and use your 100MB (MegaBytes) of free network storage space to keep a few personal photos and files. But should you find that your space on the network is full, you will have to delete personal items in order to make room for your academic work. Extra storage space is available for academic clubs and projects as necessary, but you will always be asked to make room by deleting non-academic materials before more storage space will be granted to you. Should you find that you need more storage space for academic use, contact the CNS Helpdesk.

Restricting Traffic on the Network to Preserve Bandwidth

Also be aware that network traffic is being monitored constantly. Even with a large, fast network infrastructure, bandwidth - or the amount of data that can be sent at one time - is finite.  If there is a significant slow down on the network, certain types of traffic may be suspended (ie web browsing) in favor of academic usage (ie file usage).  Applications which use an unusually high proportion of network bandwidth for extended periods of time, including, but not limited to, running servers, playing network games, or instant movie viewing services are not permitted and may be shut down, with the user contacted as soon as possible.  Any activity on the Drew network that is not related to academic activities can interfere with academic use. If you are found to be using such services, your access to the network will be temporarily restricted or shut down until CNS determines that bandwidth for legitimate uses has been restored.

What It Says

5.  ...Hardware or software that interferes with network operation will be removed or disabled.

What It Means

Any devices, such as wireless routers or activities, such as setting up your own DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) that interfere with the function of the Drew network will be shut down and confiscated. Students who violate this rule are also financially liable for all costs related to resolution of the issue, including staff work hours for tracking the problem and damage to the network infrastructure.

What It Says

6.  Users of the Drew network must comply with federal, state, and local laws and ordinances including U.S. copyright law.                                     

What It Means

 Being a part of the Drew network does not make you exempt from federal, state and local laws including, but not limited to illegal music or movie downloading. Any Drew user found to be in violation of these laws is subject to prosecution by law enforcement officials. Indiana University at Purdue has an excellent Copyright Quickguide that can help you determine whether or not your use of materials constitutes copyright infringement.

What It Says

8.  ....If you cause damage by modifying or tampering with network wiring, jacks or hardware, you will be held financially responsible for such damage and may be subject to disciplinary procedures.

What It Means

The network jacks in your dormitory rooms and classrooms are the property of Drew University, and were installed for your use. Any attempts to modify or tamper with them will result in your loss of network connectivity. If the network jack in your room is not working properly, call the CNS help desk to set up repair, and do not try to repair it yourself.

Do not stick anything but Ethernet cables into Ethernet jacks located in classrooms.

All damages caused by tampering, such as inserting objects or tampering with jacks, wiring, or hardware will result in a financial fine as well as possible disciplinary procedures.