Common Website Usage Standard

Purpose

WPI's public websites are used by members of the WPI community and the world at large. They allow WPI to provide information about itself and its community. To help protect and maintain availability to these resources, this standard explains the following information:

Scope

This standard covers all WPI-managed websites.

Please note that some servers may have additional standards.

Background

The web at WPI has a multitude of uses. Potential students may learn about WPI and even apply to the university. Researchers can get information on programs at WPI. Alumni may browse information especially for them. Students, faculty, and staff may offer their web pages for public display.

Unfortunately, excessively popular pages may swamp the web so that these functions cannot be accomplished. The web has specific traffic limitations; a site without an academic mission should not consume extensive resources. It is possible that some web page, which is consistent with the academic mission of WPI, will become very popular, and this situation will be managed with best effort to keep it available.

Commercial activity, such as running a business or placing advertisements on a webpage violates many educational licenses.

Standard

Using a webserver for illicit purposes (storage or distribution of prohibited or copyright materials, harassment, discriminating people, violations of privacy acts, violations of academic honesty policies, etc.) is prohibited.

Consequences

Users may have their right to use WPI webservers limited and removed. A student’s major violations will be sent to the WPI Judiciary Committee which can result in consequences ranging from sanctions to expulsion from the University.

Concerns

Please email any concerns or comments to itsecurity@wpi.edu.

Revisions

This policy is reviewed yearly. Changes are made when necessary.

Revision History

August 19, 2008 - IT approved the standard.

Maintained by itweb
Last modified: Aug 21, 2008, 15:42 EDT