Guidelines & Policies
Acceptable Use Policy
- Michigan State University Acceptable Use Policy for MSU Information Technology Resources
- MSU provides an information technology (IT) environment which includes an array of institutional electronic business systems, computing services, networks, databases and other resources. Access to and usage of MSU IT resources entails certain expectations and responsibilities for the MSU community and managers of the IT environment. (This updates and replaces the 1992 version.)
- FAQ about the Acceptable Use Policy for MSU Information Technology Resources
- Frequently asked questions regarding the MSU Acceptable Use Policy.
- Trusted Network and Host Security Management in the Context of the MSU Acceptable Use Policy
- New forms of security tools that operate in an “embedded” fashion, either on the network (e.g., at the router level) or within network-connected host computers, have become essential to the implementation of efficient and thorough network and host security. In the context of this document, “security” is used in its broadest sense, to include technologies intended to detect and control malicious network activity and running at the network router level, at the level of and in the form of network firewalls, and in host-based forms resident on servers and other equipment connected to the network.
- Abuse
- For reporting abuse of MSU's Acceptable Use Policy.
- Appropriate Use of MSU E-mail Services by Internal Users on MSUnet
- The purposes of these guidelines are to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of electronic communication, and to minimize the amount of undesired e-mail that members of the MSU community receive from other members of the MSU community. (This document updates and replaces the May 2, 2009, version.)
- FAQ about the Appropriate Use of MSU E-mail Services by Internal Users on MSUnet
- Frequently asked questions regarding the appropriate use of MSU e-mail.
- Guidelines Regarding Bulk E-mailing by Internal Users on MSUnet
- The purposes of these guidelines is to talk about bulk email within the MSU community.
- IT Services Practice Regarding Remote Wipe on Mobile Devices Using Exchange ActiveSync
- IT Services' practice regarding remote wipe of personal mobile devices is that we do not and will not initiate this action. If an individual wants help initiating a remote wipe if their mobile device is lost of stolen, that individual may contact the IT Services Support Desk for assistance.
Copyright
- Copyright Advice from the Digital & Multimedia Center, MSU Libraries
- Find resources about copyright law and on obtaining permissions from rights holders. Also read the MSU Statement on Using Copyrighted Materials.
- Intellectual Property, Copyright, and Patents
- MSU Technologies encourages innovation, enhances research, and facilitates economic development through protecting and commercializing the university's intellectual property. It also provides information and resources on patents and copyright.
- DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) Procedures
- When MSU receives a complaint that someone is in violation of the DMCA, generally by sharing files on a computer that is connected to the MSU network, MSU is required by federal law to contact the individual and ensure that all activity has been stopped. See also Copyright Complaint (DMCA) Processing at MSU.
- HEOA (Higher Education Opportunity Act) Procedures
- The University's Procedures for Addressing Instances of Possible Copyright Infringement on Michigan State University's (MSU) Computing Resources and Network forbid the unlawful copying or distribution of copyrighted works in any form. This document is the "written plan" required of the University under the copyright-related regulations associated with the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008.
- “Pre-settlement-type letters” and litigation from copyright owners and agents (PDF)
- Copyright owners and their agents sometimes pursue a particular strategy in their efforts to stop illegal content downloading. They will notify alleged violators that they will be or are likely to be sued and give them the option to pay a settlement sum before a lawsuit is filed. It is in your interest to understand what these agents are doing.
Securing Institutional Data
- Institutional Data Policy (PDF)
- Michigan State University needs to protect the security and integrity of its Institutional Data without hindering the effective and efficient use of those Data. To achieve this objective, the best efforts of every member of the University community are required. The purpose of this Policy is to establish minimum requirements for the appropriate stewardship of Institutional Data. Additional information about the Institutional Data Policy is available at eis.msu.edu/idp.
- Guidelines for Internal and External Reporting of Security Breaches (PDF)
- For information on reporting internal and external security breaches please visit eis.msu.edu/sid/keepitsafe.
- "Cloud Computing” Services: Appropriate use of online software tools such as Google Apps, Gmail, and Microsoft Office Live (PDF)
- "Cloud computing" promises to provide a large number and variety of services that will be very useful to faculty, staff, and students at MSU. The business models and terms of use of these services often involve a variety of risks to users and the content they deploy in these services. This document provides guidance to help individuals make informed, well-considered choices about appropriate use of "cloud computing" services. It also includes information about the Google Apps for Education Edition at MSU, explanations and examples of current concepts of cloud computing, as well as factors all faculty, staff, and students should review.
- Appropriate Use of the Michigan State University Google Apps Education Edition Services (PDF)
- MSU has executed a Google Apps “Education Edition” (“EE Apps”) Agreement with Google for MSU-specific access to Google Apps (“Apps”). This gives MSU and its Google Apps users contractual terms of service (“ToS”) that are better, for many MSU purposes, than the standard terms of service one gets when using the Apps as an individual public user. While the EE Apps ToS are helpful, MSU users should still exercise caution in their use of this service at googleapps.msu.edu. This document is intended to provide guidance to help individuals make informed, well-considered choices about appropriate use of the Google EE Apps services.
- MSU Guidance for Electronic Mail Records (PDF)
- University Archives and Historical Collections provides guidance on maintenance, retention, and storage of official university records based on their legal, administrative, and historical value to MSU.
Student Related Policies and Guidelines
- MSU Student Email Communications Notice
- An official MSU email address is issued to each student at the time he or she is admitted to MSU. This is the only email address that the university will use for sending official communications to students.
- MSU Email and Storage Expirations for Past Students
- In August 2012, MSU began expiring email and AFS accounts for past students (those who have not been registered within the past two years) in order to free up university data storage resources, maintain operational efficiencies, and maximize services for current students.
- Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Email and Storage Expirations for Past Students
- A list of frequently asked questions regarding email and storage expirations for past MSU students.
- Student Computer Requirement
- Undergraduate students entering MSU are required to bring a personal computer. MSU does not recommend students to rely upon the Apple iPad as their primary computer. For more information read the IPad Guidelines posted at tech.msu.edu/ipad-guidance.
- Guidance Regarding Electronic Textbooks and Readings, July 2010 (PDF)
- Most observers believe that we have reached a point in time where market offerings of electronic versions of textbooks and other reading materials for higher education will no longer be rare but will move rapidly into the mainstream. As with most things, this will happen with a great deal of variability across disciplines, publishers and other dimensions. This document provides some guidance for faculty regarding factors to consider when selecting textbooks and other reading materials for classes at Michigan State University. (This document was updated on July 19, 2010.)
Web Publishing Guidelines
- Web Accessibility at Michigan State University
- For MSU's official policy on Web accessibility, and related guidelines and resources, please visit webaccess.msu.edu.
- MSU Brand Toolkit for Web
- As part of the 2006 redesign of the main msu.edu Web site, this guide was created to provide MSU Web content providers with some of the resources they need to design official MSU websites.
Michigan State University needs to protect the security and integrity of its Institutional Data without hindering the effective and efficient use of those Data. To achieve this objective, the best efforts of every member of the University community are required. The purpose of this Policy is to establish minimum requirements for the appropriate stewardship of Institutional Data.
If you have questions about the Institutional Data Policy, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
