Access to and Use of Computer and Information Systems Policy

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UCAR provides employees, visitors, and contractors (authorized users) with access to and the use of computer and information systems, including computers, telephones, facsimile and copy machines, software, hardware, systems, networks, databases, and computer data or files, in the performance of the research and administrative needs of UCAR.  UCAR computer and information systems may not be used in any manner for any business, professional, or other activity that is not related to the research and administrative needs of UCAR, except for limited amounts of personal use as described below.  UCAR has also adopted industry standard practices for the access to and use of computer and network systems.  Specific UCAR practices are documented on the Computer Security Advisory Committee (CSAC) Web site. 

Authorized users must access and use all computer and information systems in an ethical and legal manner and without adverse effect on UCAR, or its employees, or other authorized users.  UCAR computer and information systems shall not be used to violate any law or UCAR policy.  UCAR management may, without prior notice, access any user's computer and information system(s) to review the manner of their use in order to ensure compliance with this policy.

Authorized users shall not willfully damage or without appropriate authorization, modify, alter, destroy, copy, disclose, or take possession of UCAR's, or a third party's, computer and information systems.  Further, authorized users shall not knowingly permit any unauthorized access to a computer, computer privileges, systems, networks, or programs.  To protect the integrity of its computer and information systems, UCAR may implement additional security measures to restrict access to these systems.

UCAR restricts access to and use of certain confidential data and information in its financial, administrative, and human resource systems.  UCAR reserves the right to place any limitation on the access and use of computer and information systems to protect against any threatening, unauthorized, or improper use.  UCAR reserves the right to request removal of, or to remove, inappropriate material or software, without notice, from any UCAR computer or information system.

Employees may use some UCAR computer and information systems, such as telephones, computers, internet access, and facsimile and copy machines, for limited and reasonable amounts of personal use.  Employees shall reimburse UCAR for any personal use of UCAR telephones and facsimile machines for long-distance communications.  In no event does personal use include personal business activities or any activity that would violate any UCAR policy. Use of UCAR's computers to access inappropriate Web sites, including pornography, subjects the user to disciplinary action up to, and including, immediate termination.

UCAR cannot guarantee to authorized users of UCAR computer and information systems the privacy of any communications or files; therefore, employees and other authorized users should have no expectation of privacy in UCAR communications and computer systems, including, but not limited to, electronic mail.

See also UCAR's policies on Ethical Conduct, Conflict of Interest; Outside Employment; and Solicitation and Distribution of Materials.

Contact the Vice-President for Finance and Administration for interpretation of this policy.