The University of Texas at Austin

Acceptable Use Policy

1.0 Resnet service

  1. UT Austin Resnet is a joint service by Information Technology Services (ITS) and the Division of Housing and Food Services (DHFS). It brings direct Ethernet connectivity to UT Austin’s residence halls. Residents are charged a monthly fee for network usage.
  2. Every room has at least one network port.
  3. Residents may use Resnet for high-speed access to the university network from their rooms.
  4. Information about how to subscribe to Resnet can be found in the Service Options section of this site.
  5. Resnet shall provide the ability to transmit data, using the Internet standard data communications protocol, TCP/IP, and the IEEE 802.3 (Ethernet) data link interface standard. Some residence halls may also have wireless access using the 802.11 standard.
  6. Resnet service expiration dates follow the usual occupancy requirements of the residence halls.

2.0 Privacy

  1. It is the policy of the University of Texas at Austin to respect legitimate privacy interests of students within appropriate limits for educational, ethical, and legal reasons.
  2. Resnet, except as set out in section 2.3, below, will not examine, analyze, or disclose information that is either personally identifiable or can compromise the privacy of groups.
  3. Resnet administrators routinely monitor the volume of Resnet traffic for system management purposes, but not the contents of packets. Resnet does not use sniffing, key stroke tracking, data mining, decryption, or other technologies to examine Resnet traffic unless there are compelling reasons to do so. In addition, students are also accorded all relevant privacy rights under federal and state education records statutes.
  4. Reasons that privacy may be limited include, but are not limited to:
    1. Malfunctioning equipment or other situations, such as unusually large, sustained usage which threatens others’ ability to access shared resources.
    2. Clear evidence of fraud, harassment, violation of copyright, threats, or other violations of UT Austin’s acceptable use policy, university rules, or state or federal laws. See the ITS Acceptable Use Policy.
    3. A valid subpoena or search warrant. If such circumstances require Resnet to view or copy your files or electronic mail, Resnet will limit examination, analysis, or disclosure of your materials only to those needed to perform the required tasks. When required for the purposes of a specific investigation, backup files, data logs, and network transaction records will be kept for a maximum period of 30 days before erasure or destruction.
  5. Remedies are available if subscribers believe their privacy or someone else’s privacy may have been compromised. If any user of Resnet reasonably believes that his or her privacy may have been compromised or an account misused, please contact the Information Security Office by e-mailing abuse@utexas.edu as soon as possible. Any user of Resnet who has reason to believe that Resnet or its agents have inadvertently or intentionally compromised the privacy of Resnet users without sufficient reason can initiate an investigation by the University Ombudsman, the Dean of Students, or the Provost’s Office.

3.0 Accepting the terms and conditions of this policy

  1. By subscribing to Resnet and logging on through Resnet, you agree to accept the terms and conditions set forth in this Policy.

4.0 Terms, conditions, and the reasons for this policy

  1. UT Austin encourages everyone associated with the university to act in a manner that is fair, mature, respectful the rights of others, and consistent with the educational purposes of the university.
  2. You acknowledge that:
    1. The Internet contains access to pornographic and other material that may be offensive and not suitable for minors;
    2. UT Austin ordinarily does not filter, censor, edit, or regulate the flow of data, software, graphic images, or other materials on the Internet to or from any of its account holders; and
    3. The Internet may from time to time contain hostile programs, viruses, worms, Trojan horses and other files that may affect or destroy the operation of or information on your computer.
  3. UT Austin is not responsible for the contents, accuracy or reliability of information accessed from the Internet or through your Resnet connection. You are encouraged to verify the authenticity and accuracy of materials sent via the Internet, and to use good judgment when deciding whether to download or open materials from people you do not know and organizations you did not contact.
  4. UT Austin will not be liable for missing or misdirected e-mail.
  5. UT Austin is not responsible for the loss of files or materials due to deletion, error or malfunction. You are advised to maintain backup copies of your materials at all times.
  6. You agree to comply with this policy and with other university rules governing acceptable use of information technology, such as the ITS Acceptable Use Policy. The terms and conditions of these policies, rules, procedures, and agreements are subject to change without prior notice. Notice of such changes may be given by posting on the Internet, by e-mail, or other means.
  7. You agree to:
    1. Follow normal standards of ethics and polite conduct in your use of shared computing/networking resources.
    2. Follow the same standards of conduct when interacting on the network as when interacting in person.
    3. Respect the privacy of others by not accessing their files and/or e-mail or sending them harassing, unwanted, or objectionable messages and/or e-mail.
  8. You agree NOT to:
    1. Use network access for solicitations, commercial purposes, or any business activities for individuals, groups, or organizations.
    2. Modify or tamper with network services, wiring, and ports in your room without explicit written permission. This includes extending the network beyond the single network outlet (using a wireless hub for example, Remote Access Servers, tunneling NetBIOS, or Proxies).
    3. Establish servers for anything other than an academic purpose or provide other activities that consume a disproportionate share of bandwidth. Examples of servers that would be prohibited include MP3, DVD, and game servers. Disproportionate share is that which exceeds the allowable limit of your plan.
    4. Register an outside domain host name that refers to an IP address within the utexas.edu domain.
    5. Configure cards for anything but 10, 100, or 1000 megabits per second (Mbps).
    6. Scan for computers on any network using port scanners or network probing software.
  9. Using defective or malfunctioning equipment on the network will result in the offending ports being disabled without prior notification.
  10. You agree that your Resnet connection is not to be used for any unlawful purpose, and that you will not transmit material that violates applicable local, state or federal laws or university rules.

    Laws and rules against fraud, harassment, obscenity, and the like apply to electronic communications just as they apply to other media. Inappropriate distribution of copyrighted materials such as computer software and music (CDs, tapes, records, etc.) is a violation of federal law and Resnet and university rules

    If you violate these laws, or allow your port to be used by other who violate them, your network access may be terminated and you may be subject to civil or criminal penalties or university disciplinary action.
  11. You agree that you are solely responsible for making sure that any information you access, upload, or transmit (including information obtained through any hyperlink) complies with applicable law.
  12. The network connection supplied by Resnet is for your own personal use and may not be shared among multiple users. You are responsible for all charges and for all destructive or illegal activity done by anyone to whom you allow access.
  13. Violators of Resnet rules, or other university rules and policies may be referred to Student Judicial Services for disciplinary action. Student Judicial Services will be notified of violations of Resnet rules or other university rules and policies and will take appropriate disciplinary action.
  14. Resnet, using generally accepted standards of best network administration practices and procedures, has the right to determine what activities disrupt the network. Resnet further reserves the right to terminate the connection of any host using an unusually high portion of bandwidth if that program unreasonably inhibits the fair use of network resources by other Resnet users or members of the UT Austin community.
  15. Termination of Resnet service is dependant upon your subscription method. You may terminate your service for a full refund up until the first 12th class day of the academic year. Read more about Canceling my Resnet and the Resnet Cancellation Policy. If you are unable to use the Web page, please call the ITS Help Desk at 475-9400.

If you violate this Policy and the violation is determined by Resnet to be a threat to the integrity or continued operation of the Resnet network, Resnet has the right to terminate your service without notice and/or take any other actions under these policies and rules. Resnet’s failure to respond to a violation right away does not prevent Resnet from taking corrective action later. Upon termination of this service, Resnet can immediately disable your port. In such an event, UT Austin will have no further obligations under this section.

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