Acceptable Use Policies

Acceptable use policies (AUPs) are sets of behavioral expectations or rules adopted by college and university officials that are designed to regulate the conduct of those who use institutionally provided computer resources. At the same time, many businesses and K-12 school systems have developed such rules and policies to regulate usage, to protect the integrity of their networks, and to avoid legal problems. In educational institutions, faculty, staff members, and students are often asked to acknowledge AUPs and to agree, in writing, to comply with their terms as a condition of access to computer resources. Well-drafted AUPs can serve a useful [Page 11]purpose by helping to alleviate disagreements when improper uses are discovered, so that the consequences for such inappropriate uses can be more readily ...