Information Technology Employee's Code of Ethics

In order to fulfill its mission of providing technology support to our students, faculty, and staff, Webster University's Information Technology department must grant privileged (administrator or faculty level) access to the University's electronic information systems to its employees.

This access imposes the responsibility and obligation upon the IT employee to use the systems in an ethical, professional, and legal manner that is strictly within his or her authorized job functions.

Webster University is committed to advancing the ethical and responsible use of all computing resources, and will not tolerate illegal, dishonest, improper, or irresponsible use. In exchange for the privileges granted me, IT employees agree to abide by the following standards:

1. To take every reasonable precaution to prevent unauthorized access to any passwords, user identifications, or other information that may be used to access the systems.
2. To limit access to information contained in or obtained from the systems to authorized persons.
3. To treat all confidential information within the systems as such.
4. To seek guidance from my Information Technology supervisor whenever I am unsure of the correct decision regarding appropriate use, confidentiality, or access, and do to so BEFORE I take any action on the support issue in question.
5. Not to share, record, transmit, alter, delete, or in any way alter information in these systems except when required to perform my duties.
6. To pass along to another IT employee any support request that might give me privileged access to my own academic scores or to an electronic course in which I am enrolled.
7. To observe the university's policies on student conduct and academic honesty and acceptable use of technology
8. To report any incidents of non-compliance with the terms of this agreement to my Information Technology supervisor.

This agreement applies to ALL electronic systems owned or operated by the University, which may include, but are not limited to, desktop computer systems, student information databases (CARS), e-mail systems, file servers, online learning systems (WorldClassRoom) and the local and wide area networks.

Webster University considers any violation of these standards to be a serious offense. I understand that if I should violate this agreement, I may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of my employment and/or dismissal from the University.