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Policies: NSU Libraries System Computer and Internet Usage and Safety Policy

NSU Libraries System Computer and Internet Usage and Safety Policy

Overview

This policy and disclaimer constitutes the guidelines for acceptable use of public computers and internet access at Nova Southeastern University (“NSU”) Library System facilities. The “Terms and Conditions of NSU Computer and Internet Use,” “Policy Accountability, Violations and Sanctions,” and “Internet Usage Disclaimer” sections of this policy will be incorporated in an online disclaimer screen on all public NSU library computers.

NSU provides public access to computers and the internet as part of the Libraries’ mission to be “research, cultural and lifelong learning centers for NSU and the community.” The NSU Library System is committed to fulfilling the Libraries’ mission and protecting NSU’s employees, students, guests, and public patrons from illegal or damaging actions by individuals, either knowingly or unknowingly.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to outline the acceptable use of public computer equipment and internet access in NSU Libraries.

Scope

This policy applies to all NSU students, NSU employees, Library guests, and public patrons utilizing NSU public computer equipment and internet. This policy also applies to all public computer equipment that is owned or leased by NSU, with or without internet access, and all internet usage occurring on that equipment.

Terms and Conditions of NSU Computer and Internet Use

All users of NSU Library computers and internet must use these resources in a responsible, courteous, and lawful manner consistent with the libraries’ mission and all computer and internet related rules and regulations including, but not limited to, the following:

  1. Using computer and internet resources in compliance with the applicable NSU Library Codes of Conduct and all applicable NSU policies, available for review in their entirety at: https://library.nova.edu/sherman/policies/home
  2. Using computer and internet resources for research, cultural, educational, informational or recreational purposes only, not for illegal or unauthorized purposes.
  3. Complying with all local, state and federal laws, including, but not limited to that governing intellectual property, computer-related crimes, electronic communications and fraud and abuse.
  4. Refraining from using NSU computer and internet resources in an illegal and/or inappropriate way. Inappropriate use of computers includes, but is not limited to: viewing inappropriate websites, using the internet for illegal purposes or displaying, sending or printing obscene materials. Illegal use of computers includes gambling, viewing child pornography, children viewing any type of sexually explicit sites and adults viewing sexually explicit sites with children or in areas of the library frequented by children.
  5. Refraining from using NSU computer and internet resources in such a way that is fraudulent, abusive, threatening, harassing, disruptive, hostile or intimidating.
  6. Respecting the privacy of other library patrons, NSU employees and/or NSU students by not monitoring or interfering with their use of NSU computers and the internet, nor attempting to access, use or modify another’s passwords, data or files.
  7. Complying with the guidelines of and laws governing any network or site to which the computer user may connect.
  8. Refraining from accessing any other computer system without authorization.
  9. Refraining from damaging computer equipment, software or data belonging to NSU or of other users, of which includes the files on NSU computer hard drives.
  10. Refraining from attempting to circumvent any NSU data protection or security measure.
  11. Refraining from use which disrupts or modifies network services, including, but not limited to distributing computer viruses, installing or using encryption software or blocking communication lines within a computer system or the NSU network.
  12. Refraining from using NSU computer and internet networks as an Internet Service Provider by reselling, sharing or otherwise redistributing NSU internet service or any portion thereof to a third party in any manner.

Policy Accountability, Violations and Sanctions

All users of NSU Library’s computers must read and abide by these policies. Depending on the severity of an offense and any pattern of behavior, Library users found in violation of these policies may be: asked to provide identification to Library staff and/or NSU campus security, directed to leave the premises, suspended from use of the Library computers and/or internet for a period of time or indefinitely, suspended from access to all NSU Library facilities for a period of time, suspended from access to all NSU Library facilities indefinitely with refusal of future access and/or reported to the appropriate authorities. Further disciplinary or legal action may be taken in accordance with applicable local, state or federal law. 

If a person defies an order personally communicated by an authorized library employee or a Public Safety Officer not to enter the library or not to remain in the library for failure to comply with the Code of Conduct, said person is subject to arrest for trespass pursuant to Florida Statute 810.09.

Parents and/or designated guardians are personally responsible for supervising and/or creating restrictions for their child or children’s use of NSU computers and/or internet. NSU is not responsible for minors who visit NSU libraries and utilize NSU computer and/or internet access without a parent or designated guardian.
NSU, with or without notice, reserves the right to suspend or terminate use of NSU computers or the NSU internet network if the computer or network is used in an illegal capacity. NSU also reserves the right to suspend or terminate use of NSU computers or the NSU computer network in order to prevent or minimize harm to the NSU network.

Internet Usage Disclaimer

NSU computers and internet network service are not guaranteed to be always available, errorless and uninterrupted. The NSU computer and internet network is not private or secure. Users are solely responsible for the transfer of secure, private or sensitive information, including but not limited to credit card numbers, social security numbers or bank account information. All NSU computer and internet users access the internet at their own risk. Any and all internet network services provided are provided “as is, as available and without all faults,” without warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied, including without limitation, warranties of title, non-infringement, merchantability, or fitness for a particular purpose(s), other than warranties that cannot be legally disclaimed.

NSU computer and internet users are reminded that the internet is unregulated and contains millions of webpages. Information available on the internet may not be comprehensive or accurate and NSU has no control over third-party websites or website content. A computer user is solely responsible for any third-party content or material that the user may use or access using the NSU network. A computer user is solely responsible for evaluation of the accuracy and completeness of any information, services or materials provided through the NSU Network or on the internet. NSU is not responsible for any material contained on third-party internet services or webpages. The provision of internet at NSU Libraries does not constitute any endorsement by NSU.

NSU assumes no responsibility for and has no direct, indirect or consequential liability related to the use of any material and information that is transferred, downloaded or accessed via the NSU Network. NSU assumes no responsibility for any damage caused by such to a user’s computer system or data on a user’s computer system, including but not limited to any damage caused by a virus or spyware that accesses another’s computer over the NSU Network. A computer user’s ability to connect to and/or access another computer system through NSU equipment does not imply a right to connect to or make use of those systems unless specifically authorized by the operators of those systems.

Computer users must observe and comply with all other applicable policies and guidelines of NSU, including but not limited to the NSU Library’s Codes of Conduct and any individual NSU library guidelines, policies and procedures.