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IT Policies for Students

Your use of university information technology resources should always be legal, secure and civil.

Be legal:

  • Obey federal and state laws.
  • Don't illegally download, distribute or use copyrighted materials.
  • Don't use the unversity network to run your business. 

Be secure:

  • Protect your identity. Your accounts are for your use only. Use strong passwords and keep them secret. Never give your password to anyone, no exceptions.
  • Don't use other people's accounts. Don't attempt to gain unauthorized access to data and resources.
  • Run up-to-date anti-virus software. Apply the latest security patches to all your software and devices.

Be civil:

  • Respect other's use of IT resources. Don't alter or damage others' data or software.
  • Take care of university computers or networks.
  • If you come across an open account on a kiosk or in a computer lab, close it.

 

Policies

The most important IT policies that apply to all students are appropriate use of IT resources, electronic devices, and the password standard.

Not following IT policies can result in loss of access privileges, university disciplinary action, and/or criminal prosecution.

Student Employees

A number of IT policies may apply to you as a student employee, depending upon your job and the type of information you work with. Please check with your supervisor. See: http://www.cio.wisc.edu/policies for a list of IT policies.

Public Records Requests for Student & Student Employee Email

The vast majority of emails sent by students are not subject to release under the Wisconsin Public Records law for a variety of reasons. But there may be some exceptions.

  1. General emails between students are not considered a "record" of the university and therefore are not subject to or governed by the Wisconsin Public Records law. Potential exceptions may include emails between students and officers within student government. ASM (Associated Students of Madison) abides by the public records law and would make its determinations as to what records are subject to disclosure. Emails between students in that regard may be subject to disclosure.
  2. Emails between students and professors or other university personnel (related to the student's education) would be considered a "record" under the public records law. However, such emails are also considered "educational records" under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) which generally protects student educational records from disclosure without the written permission of the student. The Wisconsin Public Records law does not require disclosure of records that are specifically exempt from disclosure under federal law, including educational records under FERPA.
  3. Emails sent in connection with student employment would be protected as an educational record under FERPA so long as the employment is conditioned upon status as a student. So, for example, emails sent by a TA, PA, RA or student hourly would still be considered education records, while emails sent by a student in connection with an LTE appointment would not automatically be considered education records. If the emails stem from a student's employment that is unrelated to student status, those emails may be subject to release under the public records law if they relate exclusively to matters arising from the individual's capacity as an employee.

For more information on this topic, please see Public Records FAQ.

 

If you receive a public records requests, please immediately contact the Office of Administrative Legal Services.

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