Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions at IIT

Professional behavior within the computer environment consists of the following:

• Users should respect the privacy of all other users. An attempt to obtain information from another individual's protected files is an invasion of privacy. If files are unprotected, the right of privacy is still valid. Persons in need of program or data information must make a formal request for that information from its owner. Unauthorized use of another individual's usercode is not only an ethical violation, it is illegal. The violator can be prosecuted.

• User conservation of computer resources is a necessity. Playing games excessively, running inefficient programs, or using unnecessarily large amounts of permanent disk space encroaches upon the privileges of other users.

• Any attemp to modify or crash the system is a violation of the ethical code.

• CIS usercodes and methods of access are to be used only for approved projects. Codes and access methods are nontransferrable, and the user is responsible for any changes or violations committed under the authorized use of their code.

• Under no circumstances are users permitted to "sell" services derived from Academic Computing Resources.

• Users of the physical facilities will be held responsible for any damage to equipment occurring during the individual's use of these facilities.

• While using electronic communications, users are expected to conduct themselves with proper decorum. Under no circumstances will the use of profanity, abusive language, racial or sexual innuendoes, or similar conduct, be tolerated.