​Acceptable Use Policy

Revised: 3 / 2017

In support of the University's mission of teaching, research, and public service, the Division of Medical Education (MedEd) provides computing, networking, and information resources to the medical student community. Access to MedEd computing facilities is a privilege, conditioned upon your compliance with the current Acceptable Use Policies listed below as well as other University wide policies governing electronic communication. Please recognize that maintaining a productive computing environment is a cooperative venture -- successful delivery of quality services depends on individual users acting responsibly.

Violations of MedEd computing policies may result in the disabling of an account and loss of computing privileges. Additionally, violations may subject the account holder to disciplinary action under University regulations, and criminal prosecution under applicable statutes. MedEd reserves the right to disable accounts without notice to halt or prevent suspected violations of computing policies. If you are unsure about the permissibility of any behavior or use, send mail to mededtech@ucsd.edu to request clarification.

Examples of misuse include, but are not limited to

  • Violation of applicable Federal or State laws and Campus regulations - including, but not limited to, the transmission of threats, harassment, defamation, obscenity, and pornography; theft of or unauthorized access or use of University resources.

  • Copyright infringement - reproduction or distribution of copyrighted works, including, but not limited to: images, text, or software, without permission of the owner is an infringement of U.S. Copyright Law and is subject to civil damages and/or criminal penalties including fines and imprisonment. This includes activities such as making software available for copying on your computer and connecting that computer to the UCSD network (whether via dial-in or the on-campus network).

  • Giving other people access to your computer account without prior MedEd authorization. Account sharing is a serious policy violation. MedEd users should not give or allow access to their accounts to anyone, including trusted friends or relatives. Indications of account sharing are generally indistinguishable from the symptoms of account piracy. Sharing therefore creates an emergency situation for system administrators and results in a major waste of staff time.

  • Engaging in activities which compromise computer security or disrupt services, at any site. Using resources or accounts without authorization. Capturing passwords. Collecting or using tools designed to check for computer system or network security vulnerabilities without prior written approval from MedEd.

  • Altering University system software or hardware configurations or circumventing resource control mechanisms.

  • Knowingly running or installing on any computer system or network, or giving to another user, a program intended to damage or to place excessive load on a computer system or network. This includes but is not limited to programs known as computer viruses, Trojan horses, and worms.

  • Using facilities for commercial purposes, or personal financial gain (except where permitted by academic policy). This includes setting up a commercial Web site on your personal computer which is made accessible to the world via a connection to the UCSD network.

  • Sending electronic junk mail or chain letters.

  • Posting material to electronic bulletin boards, news groups, or mail lists which is illegal, or otherwise at variance with applicable codes or rules for network access and use (e.g. Usenet rules published in news.announce.new users).

  • Engaging in activities which result in an excessive and avoidable level of complaints to University officials. For example, publishing controversial material without identifying the individual or organization responsible for the publication and without providing a clear means for direct feedback and handling of complaints by the publisher.

  • Wasting resources - leaving non-essential processes running when you are not logged in.

  • Tying-up special equipment unnecessarily and thereby preventing others from doing their work. Filling up public areas of disk with large files. Running simultaneous compute intensive jobs.

  • Using accounts for unauthorized purposes.

Web hosting related to sponsored non-MedEd projects may be performed by students using MedEd "student" systems if the work or web site has academic value. These works or web sites can be customized to contain personal information. MedEd understands and respects a certain level of artistic freedom, but must make certain judgments or decisions when content is inappropriate for use on Department servers. Be advised MedEd reserves the right to adjust account resource allocations to avoid over-use of "student" systems and to determine if content is severely inappropriate.

Privacy and Service Access Notices

Be aware that computer files, electronic mail, and accounts are not private in an absolute sense. Various persons such as instructors, administrators, and operations personnel have access to individual accounts and files.

In compliance with the UC Electronic Communications Policy, issued November 17, 2000 / revised August 18, 2005, MedEd makes every effort to provide reliable service and respects the privacy of electronic communications. As a practical matter, in order to provide technical assistance with electronic communications services such as electronic mail, MedEd treats requests for assistance as implied consent to inspect electronic communication records. Such requests may be made directly to MedEd or indirectly via communications with another University office. In any event, inspection is limited to the least perusal necessary to render the requested assistance.

Electronic communications, computing, and network services may be interrupted or discontinued for operational needs and when accounts are deactivated in accordance with established account administration procedures.

Email Policies

E-mail is the normal means of communication among the School of Medicine's students, faculty, and administration and its use is subject to University of California San Diego regulations.