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Network Connection Agreement

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Article State

Work in Progress (WIP)

Environment

  • Penn State Wireless Networks

Resolution

Housing provides wireless connectivity for all residence halls.  Having a network connection is a privilege, not a right. The use of your network connection is subject to your compliance with the terms and conditions set forth below.

Please read this agreement carefully before accessing or using your network connection. By using a wireless connection you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth below.

If you do not wish to be bound by these terms and conditions, you may choose not to use your network connection. 

  • Housing may modify this Agreement at any time, and such modifications shall be effective immediately upon posting of the modified agreement. You agree to review the agreement periodically to be aware of such modifications and your continued access or use of your network connection shall be deemed to constitute your conclusive acceptance of the modified Agreement. The most current agreement will be available online.

OPERATING POLICIES

  • The use of your network connection is governed by the University's administrative policy AD-95 ("Information Assurance and IT Security”) and this agreement. University policy AD-95 specifically concerns users' responsibilities related to access to, and use of, computer and network resources. It is important that you read and abide by this policy. Failure to abide by these policies may result in sanctions that include the restriction or termination of your network connection; legal action by the University including criminal prosecution; and disciplinary sanctions, which may include dismissal or expulsion. You may view a full copy of AD-95 online.

NECESSARY PERSONAL COMPUTER EQUIPMENT

  • In order to use your network connection, you are required to provide the necessary personal computer hardware and software. Many different types and models of computers are able to use your network connection, however, your computing device must have wireless hardware able to connect to an Enterprise wireless network.

NETWORK CONNECTION SUPPORT AND AVAILABILITY

  • It is the sole responsibility of the user to maintain their computer hardware and software in good working order. The University does, however, provide support for your network connection. Although many users are able to configure and use their network connection without assistance, some users may need help. At University Park, ResCom provides support for your network connectivity through the ResCom desks. Non-University Park locations also have local support available (consult your local Housing Office for details). Support is provided to help users configure their computers for the network and to troubleshoot general computer issues. During certain times of the academic year, there is a high demand for this service. In many cases we are able to help users immediately or within one or two days of a request. However, the University provides no guarantee of response time and your connection may be unavailable for use while you are waiting for service. Housing does not warrant that your network connection will be uninterrupted or error-free or that defects will be corrected. Your network connection is provided on an "as available" basis.

TERM TERMINATION

  • The term of this agreement is governed by the contract dates of your University Housing Contract. At any time you may request to be disconnected from your network connection and cease to use the service. No refunds will be granted for early termination or for a user's decision not to use the user's network connection. Network connections are provided in residence hall rooms regardless of the current resident's ability or decision to use the service. At its sole discretion, the University may terminate your access to network connectivity if you fail to abide by the Operating Policies.

ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY

  • Your network connection uses resources that are shared with many other Penn State students, faculty, and staff. Moreover, your network connection provides access to the global Internet that is used by millions of other users. Each user benefits by being able to share resources and communicate with other members of the user community. However, as with any community, the benefits and privileges available via your network connection, and the Internet in general, must be balanced with duties and responsibilities so that other users can also have a productive experience.
  • It is not Housing's intent to provide network resources that meet the academic needs of all students. Some students may have requirements for high-end network and computing resources that cannot be accommodated by their housing provided Network Connection. For example, you may need more bandwidth, for an academic project, than can be provided by your network connection. In this case you will need to find alternate computing resources. Computer labs and other special facilities may be provided by academic departments to meet these needs. Servers are prohibited from being used in conjunction with your network connection in accordance with university policy AD-95. Examples of these activities include, but are not limited to, running servers for mail, web, ftp, irc, dhcp, and multi-user interactive forums (such as gaming servers).

ILLEGAL ACTIVITY

The use of your network connection for any activity that violates any local, state, federal, or international law, order or regulation is a violation of this policy.

Prohibited activities include, but are not limited to:

  • Posting or disseminating material which is unlawful (such as child pornography or obscene material).
  • Disseminating material which violates the copyright or other intellectual property rights of others. You assume all risks regarding the determination of whether material is in the public domain.
  • Pyramid or other illegal solicitation schemes.
  • Any fraudulent activities, including impersonating any person or entity or forging anyone else's digital or manual signature.

BANDWIDTH USAGE

  • Although Housing does not normally limit the amount of bandwidth (uploads and downloads) that can be used by individual users, it does reserve the right to implement limits, restrict access to the network, as well as take other disciplinary actions, for individuals whose activities impact network performance or violate policy.
  • All users are reminded to use this important shared resource in a responsible manner, abiding by all University policies and applicable laws.

INAPPROPRIATE CONTENT

  • There may be content on the Internet or otherwise available through your network connection which may be offensive to some individuals, or which may not be in compliance with all local laws, regulations and other rules. Housing cannot assume any responsibility for the content contained on the Internet or otherwise available through your network connection. You must assume the risk of accessing content through the network connection, and Housing shall have no liability for any claims, losses, actions, damages, suits, or proceedings arising out of or otherwise relating to access to such content. Content questions or complaints should be addressed to the content provider.
  • You are solely responsible for any information which you publish on the web or other Internet services. You must ensure that the recipient of the content is appropriate. For example, you must take appropriate precautions to prevent minors from receiving inappropriate content.

OTHER LIMITATIONS

  • Users must ensure that their activity does not improperly restrict, inhibit, or degrade any other user's use of a network connection, nor represent (in the sole judgment of Housing) an unusually large burden on the network itself. In addition, users must ensure that the user's activity does not improperly restrict, inhibit, disrupt, degrade, or impede the University's ability to deliver and monitor the network connection services, backbone, network nodes, and/or other network services.
  • You may not resell, share, or otherwise distribute your network connection to any third party. For example, you cannot provide Internet access to others through an Internet share, dial-up connection or host shell accounts over the Internet.
  • You may not use your network connection for commercial purposes.
  • You may not modify, extend, or bridge your network connection. Use of personal wireless routers are not permitted in residence halls.  ResCom may not be able to remedy wireless interference within a residence hall.

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Your network connection is registered in your name and your wireless sessions are associated with your Access Account ID. You are personally responsible for any misuse of the network connection even if the inappropriate activity was committed by a friend or guest with access to your computer or router. Therefore, you must take steps to ensure that others do not gain unauthorized access to your network connection and/or computer device.
  • You are responsible to keep your computer protected from viruses and malware as well as the operating system and applications up-to-date and properly configured (see reference links below).