Policy No. 540 - Internet Access

Access to the Internet has been provided to staff members for the benefit of the organization and its customers. It allows employees to connect to information resources around the world. Every staff member has a responsibility to maintain and enhance the company's public image, and to use the Internet in a productive manner. To ensure that all employees are responsible, productive Internet users and are protecting the Foundation's image, the following guidelines for appropriate Internet use have been established.

Acceptable Uses of the Internet

Employees accessing the Internet are representing the Research Foundation. All communications are for professional and official reasons. Employees are responsible for seeing that the Internet is used in an effective, ethical, and lawful manner. Internet Relay Chat channels may be used to conduct official company business, or to gain technical or analytical advice. Databases may be accessed for information as needed. Email may be used for business contacts.

Unacceptable Use of the Internet

The Internet should not be used for personal gain or advancement of individual views. Solicitation of non­-company business, or any use of the Internet for personal gain is strictly prohibited. Use of the Internet must not disrupt the operation of the Foundation's network. It must not interfere with your work assignments or productivity.

Communications

Each employee is responsible for the content of all text, audio or images that they place or send over the Internet. Fraudulent, harassing or obscene messages are prohibited. All messages communicated on the Internet should have your name attached. No messages should be transmitted under an assumed name. Users may not attempt to obscure the origin of any message. Information published on the Internet should not violate or infringe upon the rights of others. No abusive, profane or offensive language should be transmitted through the system. Employees who wish to express personal opinions on the Internet are encouraged to obtain their own user names on other Internet systems.

Software

To prevent computer viruses from being transmitted through the system there should be no unauthorized downloading of any software. All software downloads will be done through the Systems and Information Services department.

Copyright Issues

Copyrighted materials belonging to entities other than this company may not be transmitted by staff members on the Internet. One copy of Copyrighted material may be downloaded for your own personal use in research. Users are not permitted to copy, transfer, rename, add or delete information or programs belonging to other users unless given express permission to do so by the owner. Failure to observe copyright or license agreements may result in disciplinary action or legal action by the copyright owner.

All messages created, sent or retrieved over the Internet are the property of the company, and should be 'considered public information. The Foundation reserves the right to access and monitor all messages and files on the computer system as deemed necessary and appropriate. Internet messages are public communication and are not private. All communications including text and images can be disclosed to law enforcement or other third parties without prior consent of the sender or the receiver.

Harassment

Unlawful and offensive communications, defamation, and harassment of any kind is prohibited. No messages with derogatory or inflammatory remarks about an individual or group's race, religion, national origin, physical attributes, or sexual preference should be transmitted.

Violations

Violations of any guidelines listed above may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.