This policy applies to all users of Griffith University Information Technology resources regardless of your relationship with the University and irrespective of whether those resources are accessed on or off-campus.
Information Technology resources are essential for accomplishing Griffith University's mission of pursuing excellence in teaching and learning, research and community service. Members of the University community are granted shared access to these resources, which must be used and managed responsibly to ensure their integrity, security and availability for appropriate educational and business activities. This IT Code of Practice provides guidance to authorised users for the appropriate use of the University's Information Technology resources.
Within this IT Code of Practice, Information Technology resources include but are not limited to all standalone or networked computers, hand held devices, all forms of communication equipment, and software owned or leased by the University, including, but not limited to externally hosted applications, for example, email, blogs and social networking sites.
This IT Code of Practice is intended to operate within, and be consistent with, existing State and Commonwealth Law, and University law and policies in areas such as sexual harassment, discrimination, equal opportunity, freedom of information, copyright, defamation, discipline and misconduct. It is intended to encourage responsible action and good judgement and to protect privacy.
Sanctions will be enforced if you act irresponsibly and disregard your obligations to other users, or to the University as the provider of Information Technology resources. Inappropriate use of University provided Information Technology resources may also result in suspension, expulsion, termination of employment, legal action, or other disciplinary action.
It is your responsibility to become familiar with the rules governing use of the University's Information Technology resources.
Users who are authorised to permit other persons to use the University's Information Technology resources must ensure that those persons are made aware of the rules governing use of the University's Information Technology resources and have them sign or otherwise acknowledge that they will carry out their responsibilities under these rules.
Users learning of any violation of any of this IT Code of Practice must bring this matter to the attention of an appropriate officer (e.g. head of element, supervisor, lecturer, and Information Services staff) within the University without delay.
Griffith University technology resources and infrastructure including, but not limited to, desktop computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, intranet, internet access, wireless network, telephone system, web services, instant messaging, social media and email services may only be used for University purposes and limited personal use, as outlined below.
You must not use the University IT resources to violate or breach any Local, State, Commonwealth or International Law. All information, data or files created, downloaded or stored by users while employed or enrolled at the University can be monitored and subject to investigation. All electronic messages are official documents, subject to the same laws as any other form of correspondence. They are subject to statutory record keeping requirements and can be subpoenaed during legal processes.
Limited personal use is the use of University IT resources to support activities that do not directly relate to University employment or studies. Examples of limited personal use include researching holidays, checking personal emails or social media.
Limited personal use must not require substantial expenditure of time, adversely affect University IT resources or breach the University’s Code of Conduct.
Where personal use adversely affects University business, the user may be asked to minimise their personal use.
The University allows its staff to use IT resources for limited extracurricular or non-work-related activities. These activities must not be illegal or potentially bring the University into disrepute, and they must not negatively impact the University's IT infrastructure.
Activities which are prohibited include, but are not limited to, the use of Griffith IT resources to do the following:
You should not use the University IT resources to create, download, distribute, store or display any offensive or illegal material.
Material that has the potential to cause offence or would normally be regarded as inappropriate should not be used unless a genuine reason exists (i.e. to support teaching, learning or research activities) and the reason for the use must be documented and approved the relevant supervisor.
Inappropriate Internet sites include but are not limited to:
The University regularly audits such sites and reserves the right to remove / remove access to, such material from its resources without notice.
Successful use of University IT resources depends upon a spirit of mutual respect and co-operation to ensure that everyone has equitable privileges, privacy and protection from interference or harassment.
You must not use communication systems including, but not limited to e-mail, instant messaging, discussion forums (including wikis, blogs or social media such as Facebook or Twitter) or web pages under your control, to provide or communicate obscene materials, or that threatens, harasses, intimidates or singles out individuals or groups for degradation or harassment in violation of Commonwealth or State Laws, and other University policies and regulations.
You must not display images or wording, nor play audio which could create an atmosphere of discomfort or harassment to others.
You must not use University resources to engage in attempts to subvert University or external security provisions. This includes but is not limited to:
Under no circumstance are you allowed to connect any network device to the Griffith network unless prior permission is obtained from the Director, ICTS or designate. Network devices include but are not limited to; hubs, switches, routers, wireless access points, network appliances of any function and any devices performing network monitoring.
Where you are representing the views of the University, the communication must identify your position within the University. Where the view expressed is the official University view, the authorised source and author of that view should be identified.
You must not express views on behalf of the University without official authorisation to do so, or to allow another person to reasonably misconstrue that a personal view represents the official position of the University. In circumstances where readers might reasonably conclude a personal view is representative of the University, the user must clearly state that the opinion expressed is that of the writer, and not necessarily that of the University, or words to that effect.
The University logos and trademarks are the property of the University and may only be used for approved University documents.
The University IT resources, systems and facilities are the property of the University. Anything sent or received using the network, systems and facilities of the University will therefore be transmitted and stored on University property (or on third party property on behalf of the University). Accordingly it is likely to be reviewed by the University. This applies whether you use the University IT resources at a University site, at home, or any other location, including but not limited to externally hosted applications.
This information is used for accounting purposes, troubleshooting, systems management and meeting compliance.
This can be done upon authorisation from appropriate University managers, the Police or other Law enforcement agencies to assist in the investigation of an offence. The contents of electronic communications, properly obtained for legitimate business purposes, may be disclosed without permission of the employee or authorised user.
The Copyright Act sets out the exclusive rights of copyright owners and the rights of users. In addition, certain uses may be covered by licence agreements to which the University is party. Full information is available in the Griffith Copyright Guide.
Software programs are protected by the Copyright Act. You do not have the right to make and distribute copies of programs without specific permission of the copyright holder, except for the purposes of back-up, making interoperable products, correcting errors or security testing.
The University considers any breach of your responsibilities to be a serious offence and reserves the right to copy and examine files or information resident on or transmitted via University Information Technology resources.
The Division of Information Services may temporarily remove material from web sites or close any account that is endangering the running of the system or that is being reviewed for inappropriate or illegal use.
Failure to comply with Griffith University IT policies may result in sanctions relating to the individual’s use of IT resources (such as suspension or termination of access, removal of online material or closure of website services); the individual’s employment (up to and including immediate termination of employment in accordance with applicable university policy); the individual's studies within the university (such as student discipline in accordance with applicable university policy); prosecution under State, Commonwealth and International Laws; or any combination of these.