Mississippi State University Policy
on Student Use of Computing Resources

Introduction and Purpose:

In support of the university's mission of teaching, research, and service, Mississippi State University provides computing, networking, and information resources to the university student community. Such open access is a privilege, and requires that individual users act responsibly, including the conservation of computer resources and consideration of other users.

Policy/Procedure:

All existing federal and state laws, and university regulations and policies apply, including not only those laws and regulations that are specific to computers and networks, but also those that may apply generally to personal conduct.

The university views abuse of any computer facility and resource as a serious offense. Such abuse includes but is not limited to:

1. Negligently degrading, intentionally degrading, or attempting to degrade the performance of the university's system or any system available through the Internet;
2. Penetrating or attempting to penetrate the security of the university system or any system available through the Internet;
3. Depriving or attempting to deprive other users of resources, or access to computer resources;
4. Using any computer system or network to send unsolicited, offensive, abusive, obscene, or otherwise harassing communications as determine by the receiver of the message and confirmed by a judicial board;
5. Using a computer account belonging to another individual without the explicit permission of that individual and the Director of the Computing Center or individuals responsible for another university network (students are responsible for all activity originating from their accounts as well as for their safeguard and use);
6. Negligently, or intentionally and without authorization, accessing, altering, interfering with the operation of, damaging or destroying all or part of any computer, computer system, computer network, computer software, computer program, or computer database;
7. Failing to reasonably protect, or intentionally or knowingly giving or publishing any password, identifying code, personal identification code, or other confidential information about a computer, computer system, computer network, or database;
8. Inspecting, modifying, or copying programs, data, or electronic mail without authorization;
9. Placing any information in the university's computer system, computer network, or any system available through the Internet which is not in keeping with the educational purposes of the university, such purposes being determined solely by the university; and
10. Specifying false or misleading information when applying for computer access or when being investigated for computer misuse under this policy.

Students committing prohibited actions will be held accountable and shall be subject to the disciplinary Procedures described in the University Policies and Regulations Regarding Individual Behavior. Students who suspect their accounts have been infiltrated should contact the Director of the Computing Center or the individual responsible for another university network, and the Dean of Students.