Testimonials

FAQ

Policies & Guidelines

History

"From the point of view of a help desk, the advent of NEThics^sm has meant that we have a place to direct violators of campus guidelines and their victims for a consistent response. As one of the first handlers of consult mail, I

" Having a single group operating from a known set of principles increases the likelihood of consistency. "

recall numerous occasions in which I was drawn into conflicts over account usage (usually email battles) and feeling helpless to avoid taking sides given the scanty but compelling evidence with which I was confronted. When questions of fraudulent activity arose, it was difficult to try to round up the technical resources to determine what actually had happened. Having a single group operating from a known set of principles increases the likelihood of consistency, and has made possible the creation of a combination of people and procedures for solid assessment of what is involved in any given situation."

"The Teaching Technologies unit supports several projects which require the need for education about acceptable use policies for our campus. Collaboration with Project NEThics^sm to support these needs has occurred at several different levels. Teaching Technologies supports three Teaching Theaters, which are technology-equipped classrooms on campus. Students who take courses in these classrooms receive accounts and access to computer resources. Support from Project NEThics^sm for this project comes at the level of providing information that is included in the student manuals distributed to students. Although this is a very low-level intervention, providing access to this information has allowed our staff to be proactive, by preventing abuses before they occur.

"Project NEThics^sm supports us in a more active manner in our instructional web server project and our faculty development efforts. When setting up our instructional web

" Project NEThicssm staff responds immediately to any reports of abuse. "

server for class support, our staff worked closely with the Project NEThics^sm staff on the best way to educate the users of this server on acceptable use issues. Both staffs work closely together in a proactive manner to prevent any possible misuse of these resources — for example, a student working on an independent study project was required to meet with the Project NEThics^sm Director prior to the start of the project to clarify what was acceptable use and what was not. When required, the Project NEThics^sm staff responds immediately to any reports of abuse that are reported on this server.

"In faculty development, the Project NEThics^sm staff takes on a very active role in educating faculty about acceptable use and other areas such as intellecual property and copyright issues. As part of the training offered to faculty, whenever appropriate, presentations on acceptable use are provided and integrated into the training module to make faculty aware of the issues involved. In addition, faculty are given resources to give to their students to educate them on acceptable use and also on how to report problems if they occur.

"These examples are in support of 'best practices' in that these types of activities take on a proactive stance rather than a reactive stance. Taking the time to educate at the beginning will avoid time consuming problem resolution activities that occur after an incident has been reported."

"Since the installation of datajacks in the residence halls, Project NEThics^sm has been an extremely valuable resource to the entire residence hall staff regarding the Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources. The have continually provided the Department of Resident Life with information, and participated in training staff regarding policies and educational follow-up with our students.

"Many students are referred to the Department of Resident Life by Project NEThics^sm for disciplinary resolution to violations of the Guidelines for Acceptable Use of

" Project NEThicssm has been an extremely valuable resource ... regarding the Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources. "

Computing Resources. Prior to a referral, Project NEThics^sm takes the time to meet with every student to determine if a referral is necessary. This saves our staff an extraordinary amount of time. However, when a referral is necessary, the referral always happens quickly and provides the necessary information to hold students accountable. Project NEThics^sm staff also provides Resident Life staff with suggestions regarding educational sanctions, which has proved to be especially helpful to our staff.

"Additionally, the Project NEThics^sm staff readily participates in the Resident Life Judicial process by serving as factual witnesses and providing technical expertise when necessary. We appreciate the collaborative partnership with Project NEThics^sm staff in helping to hold students accountable and, most importantly, in educating our students."

"A critical and consistent module of all faculty IT training is provided by Project NEThics^sm. One of the key issues for faculty who are learning to incorporate technology (particularly web-based technology) into their teaching and classroom experience is that of appropriate use: appropriate use in terms of intellectual property,

" Project NEThicssm has developed concise and thought-provoking user education content. "

copyright, and student privacy, as affected by communicating and publishing on the Internet. Project NEThics^sm has developed concise and thought-provoking user education content to complement faculty training on such topics as WebCT, designing and developing course web pages, and creating multi-media presentations for the classroom. This content serves to heighten faculty awareness of the ethical and legal limits within which they and their students can explore and use the new educational tools made possible through information technology."

"Project NEThics^sm has been instrumental in providing support services to the University of Maryland Police Department in the investigation of computer crime at the University of Maryland. Additionally, Project NEThics^sm personnel have facilitated a collaborative effort in information dissemination concerning computer crime between the University of Maryland Police Department and the Prince George's County Police Department.

"Since computers have become so intricately woven

" Project NEThicssm provides the resources necessary for the effective investigation of computer related incidents. "

into the daily routine at the University of Maryland, the incidence of computer misuse has proliferated. Crimes ranging from fraud, to harassment, to misuse of computer resources, have dramatically increased in the university environment. These crimes present a challenge to effective investigation and identification of perpetrators because of the technical expertise needed to unravel the ellaborate webs that can be woven with the computer. Without a resource capable of providing technical support, these crimes would be exceedingly difficult to solve. Project NEThics^sm provides the resources necessary for the effective investigation of computer related incidents."

"Project NEThics^sm has proven to be invaluable in the timely investigation of computer related allegations of misconduct. At many institutions, the discipline office handles such matters usually without the technical

" Project NEThicssm has proven to be invaluable in the timely investigation of computer related allegations of misconduct. "

expertise necessary. Project NEThics^sm staff investigate complaints, confront students alleged to have engaged in misconduct, and determine appropriate measures to change the students' behavior for the future. Only the most egregious conduct is forwarded to the discipline office.

"The technical support provided by Project NEThics^sm in our investigations of computer related misconduct is also extremely valuable. Needless to say, staff in my office do not have the technical capabilities necessary to make factual determinations in cases involving students with extensive computer knowledge and experience. We are able to consult with Project NEThics^sm staff to ascertain the credibility of information and evidence presented to us.

"It is without doubt that Project NEThics^sm makes our lives easier!"