The ethical principles that apply to everyday life also apply to computing and communications. Every member of the Department  have two basic rights: privacy and a fair share of resources. It is unethical for any other person to violate these rights.

This code of ethics lays down general guidelines for the use of computing, and information resources. Failure to observe the code may lead to disciplinary action.

Privacy

• On shared computer systems every user is assigned a unique user ID. Nobody else should use another user's ID.
• On shared computing systems, all user files and directories are considered to be private and confidential. Only files which a a user has explicitly made public should be considered open for general access. Accessing and using files in another person's account when not expressly permitted to do so by the owner is a violation of that person's privacy.
• Network traffic should not be considered private.
• Obscenities should not be sent by computer.
• Records relating to the use of computing and information resources are confidential.

Resources

• No one should deliberately attempt to degrade or disrupt system performance or to interfere with the work of others.
• Loopholes in computer systems or knowledge of a special password should not be used to alter computer systems, obtain extra resources or take resources from another person.
• Computing equipment owned by the department or private individuals should be used only with permission.
• University resources are provided for university purposes. Any use of computing for commercial purposes or personal financial gain must be authorized in advance. Many of the agreements that the university has specifically forbid this activity.
• Computing and information resources are community resources. Theft, mutilation and abuse of these resources violate the nature and spirit of community and intellectual inquiry.

System Administration

• On rare occasions, computing staff may access others' files, but only when strictly necessary for the maintenance of a system or in active pursuit of serious security or abuse incidents.
• If a loop hole is found in the security of any computer, it should be reported to the system administrator and not used for personal gain or to disrupt the work of others.
• The distribution of software and databases is controlled by copyright laws, licensing agreements and trade secrets. These must be observed.