Contact: Michael Warden, (512) 499-4363

Date: September 13, 2004

UT System News Release

UT Task Force on Computer/Internet Use Issues Report

AUSTIN – A task force charged to examine laws, policies and regulations governing computer and Internet use throughout The University of Texas System has submitted its report and recommendations to Chancellor Mark G. Yudof.

“I appreciate the hard work and research done by the task force in investigating all of the issues relating to use of university computer resources and the Internet,” said Chancellor Yudof. “I have asked that the task force's report be reviewed by the presidents of all 15 UT System institutions and by the faculty, student and employee advisory councils of the System. I want their feedback and comment before I make any decision to implement the task force's recommendations.”

A copy of the task force's report and recommendations has been posted on the UT System website soliciting comments and reactions for review now through Oct. 15.

The Electronic Media Standards Task Force was appointed by Chancellor Yudof in February. The group, chaired by Cullen M. Godfrey, vice chancellor and general counsel of the UT System, was asked to evaluate current university policies and to make recommendations concerning any needed system-wide policy amendments or changes to current policies regarding computer and Internet use.

Chancellor Yudof has asked UT institution presidents, advisory councils and others in the UT System who would be affected to submit their comments to the Electronic Media Standards Task Force. The task force will collect feedback and comments for consideration by the chancellor before any final action is taken on the report.

The task force concluded that current UT System policies about Internet and computer use fully complied with state regulations and laws that govern the use of state resources. The report strongly endorsed and reiterated the importance of information technology to students, faculty, and staff in scholarly pursuits, professional development, service activities, personal development, and every day work and classroom-related activities.

Among the recommendations made were:

• Updating of system and campus policies to reflect recent changes in state law.
• Endorsed stronger management action versus dependence on Internet filtering software in dealing with instances of abuse of Internet access.
• Reemphasize that authorized use of information technology resources is limited to university mission and incidental personal use. Commercial use or use for illegal activities is prohibited.
• Amending current acceptable use policies to refer to “obscene” rather than “pornographic” materials to more accurately reflect the law.
• Continuing employee sanctions by the university or, when appropriate, referral to other legal and law enforcement agencies, for use of information technology resources for illegal activities including unauthorized access, intentional corruption or misuse of computing resources, theft, obscenity, child pornography, sexual harassment and creation of a hostile working environment.
• Requiring all employees, students and others who use university information resources (other than public information servers) to sign or electronically acknowledge an authorized use agreement that includes notice of responsibility for proper use.
• Clarifying limits on privacy for use of state-owned information technology resources.
• Clarifying a sanctions process for computer misuse that includes graduated penalties, adequate notice of alleged infractions, opportunity for response to allegations, adjudication of suspension or termination decisions and appeals.

The task force will accept campus comments either in writing at Electronic Media Standards Task Force, Office of the General Counsel, The University of Texas System, 201 West 7th Street, 6th Floor, Austin, Texas 78701, or by email taskforce@utsystem.edu.

Members of the UT System Electronic Media Standards Task Force (pdf)

Electronic Media Standards Task Force Report (pdf)

Email comments on Task Force Report