FAU - IRM

IRM technology policy exists in addition to all other legally binding documents to guide the conduct of Florida Atlantic University users as it pertains to technology resources. It is not intended to replace in part or in whole pertinent Florida or federal law such as the Computer Crimes Act, Chapter 815 of the Florida Statutes; the Public Records Law, Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes; the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, http://www.loc.gov/copyright/legislation/dmca.pdf ; the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986; the Computer Abuse Amendments Act of 1994 or obscenity and child pornography laws. Furthermore, displaying or sending obscene or pornographic materials to those who do not wish to see them is also a violation of the University’s sexual harassment policy, http://www.fau.edu/divdept/equalop/sex_har.htm

All users agree to comply with IRM policies and with applicable state and federal laws dealing with appropriate, responsible and ethical use of information technology. It is not the responsibility of IRM to ensure user compliance with IRM technology policy. It is the responsibility of the user to be aware of the existing policies and to adhere to their guidelines. Non-compliance is a serious breach of University standards and may result in legal and/or disciplinary action.

These policies are applicable to all IRM resources and are global in scope. It may become necessary for individual departments and/or colleges to define in more detail the limitations on their internal computing resources by further refining the policies stated here. No department and/or college may, however, override the guidelines and restrictions contained within IRM technology policy.

A committee appointed by the Associate Provost of IRM will review the policies each year to ensure current applicability to technology resources across all campuses.

Policy Development

A University shall be governed by known and consistent policies and procedures, over which the members of the community have some consultative influence. The policies of a University should be clear, fair and widely understood. Since discussion must precede action, the question of how policy is developed and how it is communicated are closely linked.

Additions to and revisions of the policies of this University are acts of the President; the President may delegate authority for policy and action in certain areas to others. Members of the University community should be consulted on matters of policy that fall within their concern. Those with responsibility for policy will consult those concerned through the institutions of academic governance.

A policy administrator, designated for a given policy area, is responsible for implementation of policies in that area. The administrator will also be responsible for periodic review of policies. Proposals to review policies may come from any source and the administrator is responsible for consultation on proposals to change policy.

Authority

Empowerment for this set of IRM policies and guidelines comes from Florida Atlantic University, Office of the University Provost and Chief Academic Officer and is approved by the President of the University. The Associate Provost for IRM is charged with upholding all IRM policies and guidelines.

Revision and Maintenance Process

All policies are subject to review, revision or elimination. As noted, additions to and revisions of the policies of the University are acts of the President. The President may delegate authority for policy and action in certain areas to others.

Revision and maintenance of current policies should be accomplished through one of the following processes.

(A) Ad Hoc Review---A director or staff member may initiate a review of a policy if in their judgment the policy is in conflict with other existing policy or policies or has become outdated. A departmental director and an appointed panel of departmental staff members will conduct a formal review of the policy in question.

(B) Continuous Renewal---The policy defined here and all policies developed and approved as attached shall be assessed annually from the effective date to determine continuing effectiveness and appropriateness. The process of policy development may be assessed before that time as a function of substantive change concurrent with infrastructure growth.

Definitions

Policy - statements of principals or guiding actions defining acceptable behavior and individual responsibilities; a statement of values or intent that provides a basis for consistent decision-making and resource allocation. Policies have widespread application, change infrequently, are expressed in broad terms and address fundamental operational issues.

Procedure - series of steps followed in chronological order that implement stated policy. Procedures have narrow applications, change frequently, are stated in detail and describe process.

Access to Policy

Official FAU-IRM policy shall be made available to the University community electronically. Printed copies of official policy shall also be available through the Offices of the University Provost, the Associate Provost for IRM and IRM Directors.