About the Policy

When you sign for your network account and password at the beginning of your tenure at the college, if you bring your own computer to campus and want to use the ResNET network, you must follow the Academic Computing Use Policies of the college as well as these ResNET policies. Any violations can result in the suspension of your ResNET access and/or a complaint filed with the college's Computer Telephone Hearing Board.

Remember that you are ultimately responsible for all actions on your computer. If you let others use your computer, make sure you are aware of their actions. It is also your responsibility to keep virus protection up-to-date and maintain security of your computer so that it cannot be compromised.

If you have any questions about these policies, email Karen McRitchie ([mcritchi]) at ITS.

ResNet Policies

• You are not allowed to run a business for profit or non-profit from the college network.
• You are not allowed to scan the computers and/or network for network information , devices or computers. No use of "sniffer" software.
• You cannot provide a pass-through site to other campus hosts, or provide remote log in (e.g. telnet access) on your computer for anyone other than yourself.
• You cannot provide links to, post or distribute obscene or threatening material or anything deemed as inappropriate or illegal by Student Affairs, ResNet Administration, or applicable laws.
• Unauthorized access or disruption of a computer system or its services is a violation of our network policy. This includes the use of programs such as WinNuke, any sniffer or network monitoring software, Crack or any other software that is used to assist in the compromising of a computer system or user account.
• Misues of your email account by participating in harassment including threats, obscenity or sexual harassment, or continued pursuit of a person who wishes to cease correspondence is a violation of policy.
• Participating in a chain letter, get rich quick schemes, and "mass mailings" to other students/faculty, are in fact a violation of campus computing policies due to it's burden on the mail system. This is sometimes referred to as "mass mailing" which is against college policy.
• Forgery, or misrepresenting one's self for the goal of sending harassing email anonymously, can be considered an email violation.
• In accordance with college guidelines and/or court orders, files and transmissions may be subject to search and examination by system administrators or employees as required to protect users and the integrity of computer systems such as those that are suspected to be involved in unauthorized use or misuse, or that have been corrupted or damaged.
• Just as it is illegal to enter someone's house without permission (whether their door is locked or not!), and/or steal their belongings and/or trash their house, the same holds true for their computers, computer accounts, passwords, data and computer networks.
• Setting up your computer for DHCP will automatically ensure that you are using the correct IP address. Manually configuring an IP address that is not assigned to you will result in a permanent disconnection from the network. If the action is associated with a violation of law or other policy, this can result in action by the Computer & Telephone Hearing Board.
• Providing for download, copyrighted music files (MP3 or other formats), movie files, or games, through the network without authorization from the owner of the copyright is illegal. This is a violation of Federal Copyright Laws (U.S.C. Title 17). You cannot freely distribute copyrighted material without authorization. That is stated on the cover of every CD or tape. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), movie studios and other "owners" of media rights, has the right prosecute any person violating this copyright law. Students who violate this law will not be given a warning. Connectivity privileges will be immediately revoked and judicial proceedings will result.
• To use the residential network, you must comply with any virus/security software requirements established for the proper function of the network and security of those using the network. It is the responsibility of the student to maintain current virus databases for the software which are obtained from the internet automatically if the software is configured to do so, or manually by the student downloading and installing the new files. If your system is found to be infecting the network or other users, the port will be disconnected until your system has been cleaned from the virus.
• Do not display or distribute information about the network including its configuration, security practices and all other information that compromises users or network security.
• Do not use an IP address, computer name or port that is not assigned to you.
• Do not register a ResNet or Grinnell College IP address with any other domain name.
• Do not use applications which inhibits or interfere with the use of the network by others. This includes applications that use unusually high portions of bandwidth for extended periods of time. Extensive bandwidth use, as deemed by the network administrator, will result in suspension of your network privileges and/or a complaint filed with the CTHB..
• Grinnell College's ResNet network services and wiring may not be modified or extended beyond the area of their intended use. This applies to all network wiring, hardware and in-room jacks.
• Wireless hubs are not allowed on the Resnet network. A 100MB wired connection is provided for your use along with wireless in study spaces.