These rules apply to all staff and registered students of the University, also to visitors to the University who are granted use of the facilities.
Failure to abide by these Rules of Use will normally be taken as a breach of the University Code of Discipline and may result in suspension of login facilities, without warning. (Disciplinary procedures and measures - which include fines – can be found in the Disciplinary section.)
The University provides computer and network facilities for all its members, for use in support of their academic activities. Most (but not all) of these facilities are provided via the service department Information Systems and Services (ISS).
The Rules of Use exist so that:
The Rules of Use are based on common sense for the use of shared equipment, on University Regulations (of which they are also a part), on the regulations of various other bodies, and on Acts of Parliament (see Legal Information).
The University also publishes policy statements on Internet use for both staff and students.
Failure to abide by the Rules of Use will normally be deemed to be a breach of the University's Disciplinary Procedures.
A useful addition to the Rules of Use is the pink ISS document G01 Responsible Use. To avoid unexpected withdrawal of your facilities, we recommend that you also read that information.
Your use of University computing facilities is an academic privilege, which will be withdrawn if it is abused by your breaking - knowingly or unknowingly - these Rules of Use, or the patterns of acceptable behaviour outlined in the document Responsible Use, above.
Each user of University computing systems is personally assigned, by ISS, a login name (also known as a username, an identifier or simply an i.d.), with which an email name is also associated. The login name must not be shared in any way with any other person, and it is the user's responsibility to keep the password secure.
ISS facilities are provided for use only by individuals who have been allocated a University Login Name by ISS, as determined by University policy. (Visitors should contact the IT Service Desk to find out if options are available to them.)
The use of University equipment is subject both to the Computer User's Agreement and to the General Regulations of the University.
University computing resources, including all network infrastructures, are provided for academic purposes.
Access to national and international networks is subject to minimal restrictions, except for those which are defined by the network authorities, which can be stringent. ISS will enforce these when appropriate. See also Rule G7.
Users may not connect to any computing facility (e.g. a computer system) without appropriate permission from the proper authority (e.g. the administrator of that system).
The conditions under which use of the network is monitored are described in paragraph A(8) of the Computer User's Agreement, and also in paragraph 8 of the Statement on Internet Use.
It is not permitted to install or run any software, except that provided by ISS, on any ISS computer, with the exception of that which is written as part of an academic course. Such software development must be part of an academic activity and must not contravene these Rules or the User's Agreement.
Note: University Schools may request new software to be installed by arrangement with ISS.
University equipment must not be used for personal gain in any form. (Computer User's Agreement, paragraph A4.)
University computing equipment may not be used for the creation, importation, display, referral, transmission, circulation or storage of material which is offensive, obscene, intended to annoy, defamatory, copyright, or which endangers the reputation of the University. This list is not exhaustive; a detailed exposition is at the UK Joint Academic Network website.
If you plan to store data about any living person, however small the amount of data, then it should be processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act. For advice on complying with the Act, staff can contact the Information Security Team in ISS and students should initially consult their tutor or supervisor.
All users of equipment in open ISS Cluster Rooms should be familiar with the Safety Arrangements and the location of Emergency Exits.
Safety Arrangements are displayed prominently in those Rooms. See also Rules CR3, CR4, CR5 and CR7.
All members of the University are given a personal Newcastle University email account. Your University email address is the only one that the University will use for official email for the following reasons:
For these reasons, University Schools are expected to use no other address for official email communications.
ISS equipment and the Cluster Rooms in which it is located are for the use of members of Newcastle University only -- see Rule G2.
A Cluster Room is an academic workplace. Users are expected to work quietly and respect the need for others to be able to concentrate.
Food may not be consumed in Cluster Rooms except in specifically signed locations. The only drinks permitted are sealed drinks.
Users must not tamper with University equipment in any way.
Personal, external USB devices (only) are permitted, if connected to the front sockets of a PC, and if host-powered (i.e. they do not require an independent power source). For more details please see the web page about using USB devices.
Users must not attempt to rectify faults in equipment.
Any deficiency in equipment should be reported to telephone extension 5999, or use one of the yellow "Fault Forms" which are provided in all cluster rooms.
It is not permitted to attempt to reserve a computer by leaving coats, books etc., to indicate that it is "in use", or to leave a program running on a workstation for a long period. You may be logged out without warning by ISS staff if you do this. Personal items left at workstations will be moved for security reasons.
Auto screen-locking and auto-logout is imposed by ISS to help to prevent this abuse.
Strict conditions apply to out-of-hours usage, please see the 24 Hour Computer Cluster User's Agreement.
The extent of access, and the hours, are subject to change: see the Clusters pages for current details.
With limited facilities, non-academic and recreational use is not a priority. At busy times users should not deprive academic users by spending extended periods of time on personal and recreational tasks.
Users who are permitted out-of-hours access to ISS facilities must strictly observe the safety instructions which are part of the authorisation process. Any abuse of University Rules, or breach of safety regulations, will result in immediate suspension of computing facilities and withdrawal of SmartCard access.