This policy applies to students. The Staff Handbook contains the corresponding policy for faculty and staff.

In support of its educational mission Wheaton College provides a campus data network–including in-room connection services in all campus residence halls; computer systems–including electronic mail, file sharing, printing and world-wide web services; and other electronic services–including campus telephone services and cable television. It is the responsibility of each member of the community to use these services appropriately and in compliance with all college, Town, County, State, and Federal laws and regulations. This policy covers all persons accessing a computer, telecommunications or network resource at Wheaton College.

The Honor Code and Wheaton Community Standards apply to use of the college’s network and computing services. Actions that are unacceptable in other settings are also unacceptable on the network, computing systems and other electronic services, including:

  • Harassment in any form.
  • Failure to respect the property and rights of others.
  • Forgery or other misrepresentation of one’s identity.
  • Distribution of copyrighted materials without the permission of the copyright owner.

In addition, these policies specific to Wheaton’s network and electronic services apply:

  • College systems and networks may only be used for legal purposes and to access only those systems, software, and data for which the user is authorized.  As such, sharing of passwords and other credentials needed to access Wheaton systems, including email, is prohibited.
  • College systems, networks and electronic services are provided only for uses consistent with the academic mission of the institution. They may not be used for private commercial or partisan political purposes, for personal gain, for unsolicited advertising, nor in any way that jeopardizes the college’s tax-exempt status. College facilities may not be used to provide Wheaton network, Internet access, cable TV or telephone service to anyone outside of the Wheaton community for any purpose.
  • College facilities may not be used in ways that violate the privacy rights of individuals, the college’s confidentiality policy or related laws.
  • Information resources licensed by the college for the use of its students, faculty or staff may not be retransmitted outside of the college community. Examples include Project Muse, Encyclopedia Britannica (On-Line), site-licensed software, and commercial cable television service.
  • Network, cable TV and telephone services and wiring may not be modified or extended beyond the area of their intended use. This applies to all wiring, hardware and in-room jacks.
  • Computer users may not assign an IP number to their machines. IP numbers are assigned dynamically. Manually assigning an IP number to one’s machine may disrupt the network access of another user. Users with special needs may request a permanent IP number from the Director of Technology Infrastructure.
  • Electronic mail is a college resource and is provided as a college-related communications tool. It is possible that others may view your messages inadvertently. There is no guarantee of privacy for an electronic mail message.
  • The campus network is a shared resource. Therefore, network uses or applications which inhibit or interfere with the use of the network by others are not permitted (For example, applications which use an unusually high portion of network bandwidth for extended periods of time, thus inhibiting the use of the network by others, are not permitted).
  • Users are required to know and obey the specific policies established for the systems and networks they access. They have a responsibility to stay informed of changes and adapt as needed.
  • Administrators of the network, computer systems and other electronic services have the responsibility to protect the rights of users, to set policies consistent with those rights, and to publicize those policies to their users. They have authority to control or refuse access to the network or other services to anyone who violates these policies or threatens the rights of other users.

Violations of the Acceptable Use Policy will be treated as violations of the Honor Code and will be referred to the Dean of Students Office for disciplinary action. Prosecution under State and Federal laws may also apply.