Acceptable Use for Students

The official computing acceptable use policy for William & Mary students is outlined in the Student Handbook. Visit the Dean of Students Website to view the handbook online.

Computing Resources

The following activities are prohibited:

• Transmitting unsolicited messages which constitute obscenity, harassment or threats;
• Communicating any information concerning any password, identifying code, personal identification number or other confidential information without the permission of the controlling authority of the computer facility to which it belongs;
• Gaining or attempting to gain unauthorized access to, or making unauthorized use of, a computer facility or software. This includes creating, copying, modifying, executing, or retransmitting any computer program or instructions with the intent to gain unauthorized access to or make unauthorized use of a computer facility or software.
• Creating, copying, modifying, executing, or retransmitting any computer program or instructions intended to obscure the true identity of the sender of electronic mail or electronic messages, collectively referred to as "messages," including, but not limited to, forgery of messages and/or alteration of system and/or user data used to identify the sender of messages;
• Accessing or intentionally destroying software in a computer facility without the permission of the owner of such software or the controlling authority of the facility;
• Making unauthorized copies of licensed software;
• Communicating any credit card number or other financial account number, or any social security number without the permission of its owner;
• Effecting or receiving an unauthorized electronic transfer of funds;
• Using the computer facilities in a manner inconsistent with William & Mary's license agreements or contractual obligations to suppliers or with any published policy;
• Using university information systems for commercial gain;
• Illegally using copyrighted software and materials, storing such materials on university information systems, or transmitting such materials over William & Mary network facilities;
• Knowingly engaging in any activity harmful to the information systems (e.g., creating or propagating viruses, overloading networks with excessive data, instituting or promulgating chain letters, or instigating unauthorized mass postings of any type);
• Circumventing or subverting any system or network security measures.

Policy Violation Response

The following guidelines will be used when users are accused of violating computer policies:

• An attempt to violate the policy will be considered the same as an actual policy violation.
• An "attempt" is any act beyond mere preparation carried out with the intent to engage in conduct that is in violation of policies.

Disciplinary Actions
Depending on the nature and severity of the violation, W&M may take one or more of the disciplinary actions listed under Administration of Student Life Policies, Section VI. W&M may also temporarily deny access to the server and/or may refer the case to the appropriate local, state or federal authority for further disposition.

Data kept on university servers will not be searched by authorities for violation of university rules and regulations unless there is a reason to believe that a student is using W&M's computer resources in a manner that violates rules and regulations and unless written authorization to conduct a search of such data has been issued and signed by the Vice President for Student Affairs. Such written authorization shall state the source of the information, the violation, the material to be searched, and the name(s) of the person(s) authorized to conduct the search. The foregoing does not apply to searches conducted by local or Campus Police. All such searches are governed by the Code of Virginia.

Web Page Requirements (Using William & Mary Student Web as a Conduit for Student Web Pages)

William & Mary is pleased to offer students an opportunity to post material on the Internet. Developing materials for the Internet is a significant learning opportunity which will help students prepare for the use of technology. Access is also provided in order that students may contribute to the continued operation and development of the Internet as an educational resource. The following requirements attach to the exercise of this privilege:

• W&M has established a computer server on which students and student organizations are extended the privilege of posting pages that (1) are consistent with the public, non-profit educational mission of the university, (2) meet the technical specifications of the system, and (3) are in compliance with all applicable regulations and state and federal laws, including those prohibiting obscenity, defamation, or copyright infringement.
• The posting of obscene materials is unlawful, and users are specifically cautioned against linking to sites that contain such materials, even if the site has other useful content.
• It is a non-commercial user of the Web, and student use of the webpage through the conduit of W&M's site must remain non-commercial. No money-making activity may be conducted through the use of the site.
• W&M is not responsible or liable for material in violation of these requirements or applicable laws.
• Students and student organizations are responsible for the content of their postings and for, ascertaining the copyright status and obtaining all necessary permissions or licenses for any material used. By posting materials to the Web, students and an officer of each student organization must acknowledge their acceptance of these requirements.
• Student pages will be linked to the W&M site through Tribe Voices. Pages posted on Tribe Voices express the views and opinions of only the page author and have not been reviewed or approved by W&M.
• The terms and conditions governing the use of the site are based on the policies noted in the Student Handbook, which include, but are not limited to, the Honor Code, prohibitions against harassment, violations of law, responsible computer use, and sanctions for failure to comply with legal requirements.
• At the discretion of the instructor and with the instructor's approval, student material produced as a result of class assignments or during independent studies may be posted within a course website.

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• How to Develop Web Pages

Questions? 

Contact the Technology Support Center (TSC)
757-221-4357 (HELP) | support@wm.edu | Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm