University of Wisconsin-River Falls provides a residential network (ResNet AKA UWRF DoTS) to its Residence Halls for educational, instructional, and entertainment purposes. It is the responsibility of each student to use these services appropriately and in compliance with all University, City, County, State, and Federal laws and regulations. UWRF DoTS reserves the right to restrict access, availability of access, and enforce the terms of this agreement. If a user has questions of this agreement, they should direct them to helpdesk@uwrf.edu or call 715-425-HELP(4357) before accepting this agreement and connecting to the network. The use of UWRF DoTS implies that you have accepted the terms of this agreement and will abide by these terms.
The Terms
Use of connected networks, including UWRF DoTS, WiscNet, Internet, and Internet2 must be consistent with the rules and acceptable use policies established for those networks by their providers. UWRF DoTS may not be used to provide Internet or UW-River Falls network access to anyone outside of the UWRF DoTS community for any purpose. The providing of DHCP, BOOTP, DNS and WINS network services from user computers is prohibited. Any user who attempts to circumvent or defeat the UWRF DoTS or University firewall or any other mechanism put in place by University to manage the network will be subject to immediate termination of service and possible disciplinary action.
UWRF DoTS network services and wiring may not be modified or extended by users for any purpose. This applies to all network wiring, hardware, and data jacks. Requests for the use of a hub/switch will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and must be approved by the UWRF DoTS administration.
Costs to repair physical damage to the UWRF DoTS hardware in the room or apartment (including wiring, data jack, conduit or box) will be assessed to the resident.
Users shall abide by all applicable copyright laws and licenses. The UWRF DoTS and/or University network may only be used for legal purposes and to access only those systems, software and data which the user is authorized to use. Sharing access to copyrighted software or other copyrighted materials (including MP3 files from copyrighted music media and digitized video from copyrighted motion pictures, etc.) is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the copyright holder.
All network-shared devices, drives and directories should be password protected to limit access to those who the user authorizes. UWRF DoTS limits the ability to share these resources with other UWRF DoTS users only. This is to minimize the potential effects of machines with poor security. Requests that demonstrate an academic need for wider visibility will be heard and evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Any unauthorized attempt to access another computer, to disable or to interfere with operations on a computer or network whether on or off of campus is prohibited. Any reports received by the UWRF DoTS or University administration of unauthorized attempts to access other computers may result in the immediate disconnection of the suspected network connection until the matter has been resolved. Some examples of unauthorized attempts to access are password cracking programs, port scanning any computer that is not owned by the person doing the scanning, and gaining access or attempting to gain access to another computer without the owners' permission. Exploration of network tools and techniques is encouraged by those that take a tight security stance, but all techniques used must be used by the knowledge of the remote network or user.
Use of UWRF DoTS implies user's consent for UWRF DoTS administration or its agents to monitor activities/traffic via the user's data connection for the purpose of determining compliance with this agreement.
Commercial or for-profit use of UWRF DoTS or the University of Wisconsin networks is prohibited both by this agreement and the University's housing contract with its residents.
Each machine is given a host address/ip address to use on the network. This address is dynamic and should not be hard coded into any machines or network devices. The use of DHCP is required by all users regardless of operating system. This allows for quick dynamic changes of the network with minimal loss of service to the users. This address is registered in the University's DNS servers and should not be registered any where else on the Internet.
UWRF DoTS is a shared resource. Consequently, network uses or applications that use excessive bandwidth or otherwise inhibit or interfere with the use of the network by others are not permitted.
UWRF DoTS reserves the right to immediately disconnect any computer that is sending (or receiving) disruptive signals to the network as a whole, whether because of a defective cable, Ethernet card, other hardware or software problem, or recipient of network attack. It will be the user's responsibility to correct any such problem before the computer can be reconnected to UWRF DoTS.
UWRF DoTS reserves the right to immediately disconnect any computer temporarily for the purpose of network hardware, software, or security troubleshooting or to enforce the UWRF DoTS Acceptable Use Policy.
If you have a reason to believe that another user or group of users is interfering with your access to the network, you may report the problem to helpdesk@uwrf.edu and expect that the UWRF DoTS and University network administrators will investigate and if necessary take corrective action.
It is up to the user to make their computer and data safe from other users on the network and the internet, and the user will not hold the University of Wisconsin, UW-River Falls or UWRF DoTS liable for malicious acts by other network users. The user must understand that they are connecting to a global network with many different types of people and activities that can be malicious.
Enforcement
Minor infractions of this policy, when accidental, such as consuming excessive resources or overloading computer systems, are generally resolved informally by UWRF DoTS administration. This may be done through voice or e-mail, or in-person discussion and education.
Repeated minor infractions or misconduct which is more serious may result in the temporary or permanent loss of UWRF DoTS access privileges, or the modification of those privileges. More serious violations include, but are not limited to unauthorized use of computer resources, attempts to steal passwords or data, unauthorized use or distribution of copyrighted materials, repeated harassment or threatening behavior. In addition, offenders may be referred to their sponsoring advisor, department, or other appropriate University office for further action. If the user is a student, the matter may be referred to the Dean of Students Office for disciplinary action.
Any action that violates local, state, or federal laws may result in the immediate loss of UWRF DoTS computing privileges and will be referred to the appropriate University offices and/or law enforcement authorities.
In the case of disconnection because of suspected use violations, the user can expect that the UWRF DoTS administration will make every effort for a speedy resolution and resumption of service if appropriate. Further, the user whose UWRF DoTS access is disconnected permanently because of suspected use violations can expect to use the service the following academic year, unless otherwise specified by the sanction placed against them by the University.
Due to the ongoing changes in the technology industry, these UWRF DoTS Security Policies and Acceptable Use Guidelines may have to change during the school year. On any given day, the updated guidelines may be found at its.uwrf.edu. As part of this contract, you will be held responsible for adhering to the guidelines that are found on this site, as they may change without prior notice.
