Individuals must share responsibility for protecting University computers, and should ensure the integrity of any electronic media they introduce. The University supports each individual's right to private communication, and will take reasonable steps to ensure security of the network. Although messages on University computing resources are potentially accessible to others through public records laws, Public Records Law requests for documents maintained on University computing resources must be dealt with by the user who controls the requested documents. The University cannot guarantee absolute privacy of electronic communication. Respect for intellectual labor, creativity, and the right to privacy is vital to academic discourse and enterprise.
System integrity is also essential for individual function.
Invasion of privacy, and unauthorized access to files can be justified only by real threats to the integrity of the network or node. Users will be informed in advance of all automated searches of user files. In the case of routine searches for viruses, or security weaknesses users will be informed of these searches at least once per semester. The objective of the search will be indicated in the notification. The University cannot guarantee that, in all instances, copies of critical data will be retained on University systems.