Bellarmine University

This Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) establishes guidelines for the appropriate use of the Bellarmine University's IT resources, ensuring their functionality, security, and equity among all members of the university community.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to promote the responsible use of university IT resources by students, faculty, staff, and other authorized users. It aims to protect university systems from harm, safeguard sensitive data, and foster an environment conducive to learning, research, and collaboration.

Scope

This policy applies to all users of Bellarmine University IT resources, including but not limited to computers, networks, software, hardware, electronic communications, and cloud services. It governs activities conducted on campus as well as remote access to these resources.

Guidelines for Acceptable Use

• Educational and Research Use: Bellarmine IT resources for the purpose of academic, research, and administrative use for Bellarmine University. Infrequent personal may be permissible depending on team or department requirements. Check with your leadership.
• Integrity of Systems: Users must not knowingly or unknowingly attempt to compromise the security, integrity, or availability of Bellarmine systems or data.
• Respect for Privacy: Users must respect the privacy of others and must not access, alter, or share another person's files, emails, or sensitive information without explicit authorization.
• Prohibited Activities: The use of IT resources for illegal activities, illegal hosting or distribution of copywritten material, commercial ventures, harassment, distribution of unsolicited advertising, or the distribution of harassing or offensive material is strictly prohibited.
• Copyright and Intellectual Property: Users must comply with copyright laws and respect intellectual property rights when using IT resources.
• Network Usage: Excessive or disruptive use of Bellarmine networks that impacts other users or university operations is prohibited.

User Responsibilities

• Maintain the confidentiality of Bellarmine provided accounts and passwords and prevent unauthorized access.
• Maintain the confidentiality of Bellarmine devices which include but are not limited to desktop computers, laptop computers, phones, tablets, network infrastructure, and servers.
• Maintain the confidentiality of Bellarmine IT systems, software, and services.
• Adhere to all university policies, applicable laws, and ethical standards when using IT resources.
• Report any security breaches, suspicious activity, or misuse of IT resources to the Technology Support Center and your supervisor promptly.

Consequences of Policy Violations

Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary actions, including loss of access to IT resources, academic penalties, employment sanctions, termination of employment, and potential legal consequences, depending on the severity of the offense.

Updates to the Policy

The university will regularly review and update this policy to ensure alignment with technological advances and regulatory changes. Any revisions will be communicated to users through official channels.

Contact Information

For questions, concerns, or requests regarding this policy, users may contact the Technology Support Center at 502-272-8301 or [email protected].