Internet Policy Statement

Purpose
Approach
Scope
Responsibilities
Requirements

Purpose

Richmond University is committed to defending the principle of academic freedom and acknowledges that the use of the Internet is a very valuable contribution to the exercise of that principle. Without compromising this, Richmond University also aims to benefit from the Internet by presenting the University to the world. The purpose of this Internet Policy Statement is therefore to guarantee an appropriate use of the Internet which is beneficial to all the members of the University.

Approach

All of those who have access to on-line services through the University’s network must be aware of the legal consequences attached to the inappropriate use of those services. The criminal penalties which may follow the contravention of current legislation are set out in the Guide to Legislation Relevant to Computer Use, a copy of which may be obtained from the Network Support Services departmental offices.

Although it has been widely accepted that academic institutions cannot monitor the vast amount of information disseminated and accessible through their networks, Richmond University is committed to responding promptly to any potentially damaging publication by withdrawing from its services any unacceptable materials and taking any other necessary action. This may mean that users responsible for such materials have their access to the University’s Network facilities withdrawn. It is also possible that the publication of such materials may amount to an offence under the University’s disciplinary regulations.

Scope

This Internet Policy Statement refers to all types of on-line services accessed through the Richmond University Network. This includes Telnet, Email, Gopher, World Wide Web (WWW), FTP and any other means of communication of a similar nature. 'WWW' means all materials which can be accessed through a Uniform Resource Locator address, including but not limited to HTTP and NEWS services.

Responsibilities

The Divisional Head will be responsible for authorising the 'departmental pages' of his or her Division or Service and for ensuring that the materials presented by that Division or Service meet the University standards and the legal provisions specified in the Guide to Legislation Relevant to Computer Use, and are accurate and properly updated.

Members of Staff

Staff and those who are authorised to publish 'personal home pages' are entirely responsible for the content of their pages. They are also responsible for the legality and accuracy of the information contained in the pages accessed through hyperlinks in their own home pages. They must ensure that both their personal pages and the information accessed through them meet the standards and legal requirements demanded by the University in the Guide to Legislation Relevant to Computer Use, are accurate and up to date.

Requirements

Departmental pages

• In these requirements a distinction has been made between 'departmental home pages' and 'departmental sub pages'. The term 'departmental home pages' refers to the information disseminated on the WWW which emanates directly from the main Home Page of the University. Sub pages are those which emanate from a departmental home page.
• All departmental home pages must indicate that they have been sanctioned by Richmond University and approved by a Division or Service of the University.
• All departmental home pages must contain a link to the main Home Page of the University.
• All departmental home pages must bear the name, telephone number and email address of the Head of Division or Service authorising them and the date when that authorisation was given.
• All departmental sub pages must express the name, Division or Service and email address of their author, and state the date when the page was created and last updated.
• All departmental sub pages must contain a link to the departmental home page from which they emanate.

Personal pages

• Personal pages must not be set up for any private purpose unless authorised by the Director of Learning Resources and Information Technology.
• Personal pages must not suggest that they have been sanctioned by the University, and therefore they must not bear the University’s logo.
• All personal home pages must state clearly that the opinions and views expressed are the author's and not those of the University.
• All personal sub pages (ie. those which emanate from a personal home page) must contain a link to the author's personal home page.
• All personal pages must bear the name, telephone number and email address of their author, and the date when the page was created and last updated.