McNeese State University provides access to information technology (IT) resources in support of its vision, mission, philosophy and responsibility for education, research and service in Southwest Louisiana. Accordingly, the University encourages and promotes the use of these resources by the University community, within institutional priorities and financial capabilities. Access to, and use of, these resources and services are privileges which must be accepted in strict compliance with all applicable laws and with the highest standards of ethical and professional behavior.
The purpose of this policy is to guide all users in the acceptable use of IT resources at McNeese State University.
IT resources at McNeese State University include, but are not limited to, the following:
This policy applies to anyone utilizing McNeese IT resources, whether affiliated with the University or not. This policy is applicable to all users regardless of the following:
Note: While McNeese strives to provide access to computer labs and other technology, it is the student’s responsibility to ensure adequate access to the technology required for a course. This may include access to a computer (not Chromebooks, iPads, etc.), webcam, internet, adequate bandwidth, etc. This requirement is a standard expectation for all courses regardless of initial course delivery format.
The Office of Information Technology shall monitor Internet use of all computers and devices used for instructional and University business purposes and connected to the corporate network. For all traffic, the monitoring system will record the source IP Address, the date, the time, the protocol, and the destination site or server. Where possible, the system should record the User ID of the person or account initiating the traffic. Internet Use records must be preserved for 180 days.
The Office of Information Technology shall block access to Internet websites and protocols that violate state, local, or federal law or that substantially disrupt or interfere with the University’s educational mission. The following protocols and categories of websites should be blocked:
The Office of Information Technology shall periodically review and recommend changes to web and protocol filtering rules to the chief information officer (CIO). The CIO will recommend any changes to the Executive Leadership Team, which shall review these recommendations and decide if any changes are to be made. Changes to web and protocol filtering rules will be recorded in this policy.
If a site is misclassified as inappropriate, employees may request the site be unblocked by submitting a ticket to the Information Technology help desk. The CIO will review the request and unblock the site only if it is misclassified.
Employees may access blocked websites, with permission, if appropriate and necessary for business purposes. If an employee has a business need to access a website that is blocked and appropriately categorized, the employee may submit a written request for approval to their immediate supervisor who will request approval from their division’s vice president. The request shall include the person making the request, the website name, a website content description narrative, the business reason for the request, and the time period that access is needed. Once appropriately approved, the requesting employee shall present the approved exception request to the Office of Information Technology in writing. The Office of Information Technology will unblock that site or category for that employee and for the approved time period only. If approval is for a specific time period, IT will re-establish the website block when time expires.
An employee found to have violated this policy may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
Any student who violates this policy will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with the Student Handbook.
Any individual affiliated with the University who violates this policy will be subject to appropriate corrective action, including but not limited to termination of the individual’s relationship with the University.
Users found to have violated this policy may be subject to the following:
Office of Information Technology
West Annex (IT Building), 106-C
337-475-5524 or helpdesk@mcneese.edu
This policy is distributed via the University Policies webpage.