News for Students
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Breaches of the Conditions for using IT Facilities
Despite repeated warnings about the consequences of breaching the University of Aberdeen’s Conditions for using IT Facilities, there are still a number of you who continue to do so.
Students should be aware that:
“Breaches of these Conditions will be dealt with under the appropriate University disciplinary procedures and may, where it is alleged that the offence has occurred under any current UK or Scots law, be reported to the Police.”
Illegal downloading and filesharing
One of the most common breaches is the illegal downloading, or filesharing or distributing (e.g. p2p), of copyrighted, obscene, or illegal material - such as music, video, films, software, computer games and books - over the University network and wireless network.
Network traffic (via the proxy, classroom and networked PCs, and the wireless network) is regularly monitored and we will investigate any such breach and take appropriate action where necessary.
In addition, software, music and film companies are considering taking legal action against service providers who allow illegal downloads or who fail to take sufficient action to prevent them; so such action may, in future, have serious repercussions not only for you but also for the University.
So, think before you act. If something looks too good to be true - a free download of the latest blockbuster movie, for example - then it probably is.
The consequences
First offence
- You will be notified by e-mail that the breach has been detected.
- A copy of the e-mail will also be sent to your Supervisor/Advisor of Studies/Regent.
- At the same time as the e-mail is sent out, access to the wireless network (ResNet and Eduroam) will be suspended.
- You will still be able to use classroom PCs.
- You are required to sign the form attached to the e-mail to acknowledge the breach and to confirm that you understand the consequences of further breaches.
- Your signature must be witnessed by your Supervisor/Advisor of Studies/Regent.
- The form must be returned to the address provided, and by the deadline stated, at the foot of the form.
- Failure to return the completed form before the deadline will result in all access to all IT facilities being suspended. Once the completed form is returned, access will be restored.
- Wireless access will be partially restored - access will be restricted to a limited set of sites for four months from the date the form is returned to allow access for academic studies.
- Do not attempt to circumvent the restricted access to the wireless network by using another user’s account name and password. This will be considered a second breach of the Conditions for using IT Facilities by you, and the other user will also have committed a breach by allowing you to use their user name and password.
Second Offence
- An immediate £100 fine.
- Immediate suspension of all access to all IT facilities for 7 days.
- On restoration of access to IT facilities, your wireless access will be restricted to a limited set of sites for six months.
Third Offence
- Referral to University Disciplinary Committee.
- Immediate suspension of your account and therefore access to all IT facilities until the outcome of the referral to the Disciplinary Committee
As such a large proportion of academic work relies on access to IT facilities, suspension of access will undoubtedly cause problems for your studies. Please ensure you have read the Conditions for using IT facilities in full and that you are aware of the consequences of any breach of these conditions.
All DIT Codes of Practice and Policy documents are available on this web site at www.abdn.ac.uk/dit/policy.
John S Lemon [j.s.lemon@abdn.ac.uk]
Student Liaison Officer
