Policy Violations
The University views violation of WSU policies as a serious matter. It is the responsibility of all WSU faculty, staff and students to comply with University policies and procedures regarding computing and network usage. The full text of these policies, and information about State and Federal codes and laws, are available here. What follows are the steps that will be taken if a violation of WSU policies or the Digital Millenium Copyright Act (DMCA) is believed to have occurred.
WSU Policy Violations
WSU policy violations may include peer-to-peer file sharing, computer virus and worm infections, and the inappropriate use of University information technology resources. If a computer user is identified as operating in violation of WSU policies, the following steps will be taken:
- An official warning is sent via myWSU and the US Postal Service, notifying the computer user of a possible violation of WSU policy
- The computer user is instructed to remove from her/his computer any programs or files, including peer-to-peer software, that are in violation of WSU polices and/or Federal copyright/intellectual property regulations. If the computer user is unsure of how to remove these files, contact the IT Security Office at 509-335-3900
- If the computer user feels she/he has received the notice in error, or wishes to contest the assessment of a policy violation, contact the IT Security Office within one (1) week of the date of the notice
- If the computer user does not contact the IT Security Office or successfully contests the notice of a computer/network policy violation within the given time frame, future WSU Policy violations may result in the suspension of Internet access.
- For second or third computer/network policy violations, students may be referred to the Office of Student Conduct and additional sanctions may be imposed. Faculty and staff are referred to Human Resource Services
- ITS will remove any computer/network access restrictions upon completion of any additional requirements imposed by the Office of Student Conduct.
Digital Millenium Copyright Act (DMCA) Violations
The Digital Millenium Copyright Act (DMCA) was passed in 1998 in response to the growing piracy of digitally-transported copyright materials such as music and movies. Federal penalties for infringing copyright, even for first time offenders, can be severe and include large fines. If a computer on the WSU network is identified in a DMCA notice, the following steps will be taken:
- Computer internet access is suspended (campus Intranet access may still be available)
- An official notification is sent via myWSU and the US Postal Service, informing the computer user of the receipt of a DMCA claim of infringment
- If the computer user feels she/he has received the DMCA claim of infringement in error, contact the IT Security Office within one (1) week of the date of the notice.
- Students are referred to the Office of Student Conduct and additional sanctions may be imposed. Faculty and staff are referred to Human Resource Services
- The computer user is instructed to remove from her/his computer any programs or files, including peer-to-peer software, that are in violation of WSU Policies and/or Federal copyright/intellectual property regulations. If the computer user is unsure of how to remove these files, contact the IT Security Office at 509-335-3900
- The computer user must sign a declaration stating that she/he has completed the step, above
- The computer user must complete an on-line or classroom course on copyright and intellectual property policies and regulations. She/he may sign up for the seminar by contacting the IT Security Office
- The computer user must successfully pass a copyright quiz, following the completion of the course
- ITS will remove any computer/network access restrictions upon completion of any additional requirements imposed by the Office of Student Conduct
- Future DMCA violations will also result in the suspension of Internet access. Students will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct and additional sanctions may be imposed. Faculty and staff will be referred to Human Resource Services