Rules and Regulations
Computer Misuse
These rules apply to all use of the computing and network facilities in New College and concern what is considered to be unacceptable behaviour and misuse, as well as what may infringe licence terms or may be otherwise illegal. Note that all use is permitted for bona fide purposes only, and is subject to proper authorisation (which may be provided either explicitly or implicitly - see below).
The College regards computer misuse as a serious matter, which may warrant disciplinary proceedings, and offenders will be prevented from using the College computing facilities for a period of time dependant on the severity of the misuse.
Explicit authorisation will normally involve the assignment of a ‘username’ and password for the purpose in question.
Implicit authorisation can normally be assumed for services that are advertised as being available without prior registration, for example the Library OPAC services and Networked CD-ROMs accessed from public terminals in the Library. Any facility which is not controlled by the College is subject to regulations determined by the organisation concerned, so authorisation to use such facilities should not be assumed, even though they may be accessible from or connected to the College facilities.
Misuse of computing and network facilities and unacceptable behaviour include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Attempting to gain unauthorised access to a facility;
- Using someone else’s username, with or without their consent
- Disregarding the privacy of other people’s files;
- Giving your password to someone else, or being otherwise careless with it;
- Generating messages which appear to originate with someone else, or otherwise attempting to impersonate someone else;
- Sending messages which are abusive or a nuisance or otherwise distressing;
- Displaying offensive material in a public place;
- Trying to interfere with someone else’s use of the facilities;
- Disregard for ’computer etiquette’;
- Sending chain email and hoax virus alerts;
- Being wasteful of resources (i.e. wasting bandwidth);
- Software piracy (including infringement of software licences or copyright provisions);
- Using the facilities for commercial gain without explicit authorisation;
- Physically damaging or otherwise interfering with the facilities, including wilfully changing hardware, firmware and software set-ups.
Computer Suite Rules:
- Authorised users (see above) have access to the suite for the purposes of using the computers and other facilities, or for consulting members of staff.
- Non-authorised persons are not permitted to use the facilities or enter the suite.
- Smoking, eating or drinking are not permitted in the suite at any time.
- The IT Officer has formal charge of the suite and may take any reasonable action he considers necessary to safeguard the College property or the well-being of other users.
- Children admitted to the suite must be under the control of an adult and must not cause a nuisance to users.
- Pets and other animals may not be brought into the suite.
- Printing: All printing by laser printer will be charged for at a rate per sheet as advertised.
Software Rules:
The software and any datasets supplied by the College may be used subject to the relevant supplier’s licence agreements. Software should not be copied from the network, nor should any other software be installed on any of the workstations or networks without the prior consent of the IT Officer.
In general, all software and dataset use is subject to the Code of Conduct produced by the Combined Higher Education Software Team (CHEST).
Please note also the College Statement on Illegal Software.
Other Rules:
The College issues the rules contained in these pages in addition to the following other requirements relating to use of computing facilities in the University:
Oxford University Computer Usage Rules and Etiquette
Current Members
New College