Texas A&M University is proud of the computing services that are provided and of the employees who make the excellent services possible. Physical Plant employees are subject to a high standard of computing ethics to insure the privacy and security of data for the authorized customers of Physical Plant.
Because of this high standard, Physical Plant employees are expected to adhere to a code of computing ethics. This standard of conduct is provided to all Physical Plant employees, full time and part time, and is to inform employees of their responsibilities with regard to computer security and privacy issues. These responsibilities include the employee’s accounts and access as well as those of the authorized customers of Physical Plant.
Computing resources include mainframe computers, minicomputers, microcomputers, networks, software, data, computer rooms and computer-related supplies. Access to some University computing resources is controlled through the use of assigned accounts with an access ID. To obtain an IMS account form click here. To obtain a FAMIS account, please contact FMO.

The standards of computing ethics for Physical Plant are:

• A computer account is to be used only by the authorized user of the account.

• Your computer account is to be used only to support the completion of your assigned duties as a Physical Plant employee. Incidental personal use of computing resources is permitted as defined in University Rule 33.04.99.M3.

• Other policies and rules include TAMUS Policy 33.04, TAMUS Ethics Policy 07.01, University Rule 33.04.99.M2, Texas State Penal Code Title 7, Chapter 33, 1 TAC §202 Information Security Standards, and TAMU student rules.

• Please refer to http://infosec.tamu.edu/itpolicy.html, http://sago.tamu.edu/policy/tocmain.htm, http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/statutes/pe/pe0003300toc.html, and http://itim.tamu.edu/itpolicy.html for explanation of these and additional rules and policies. In addition, students are held responsible for
http://student-rules.tamu.edu/append5.htm

• Account passwords:

	* The passwords for accounts, which are assigned to you, are not to be given to any other person.
	* You are responsible for changing your passwords in accordance with the security policies (http://rules.tamu.edu/urules/200/249999M1.htm and 1 TAC §202 Information Security Standards) of Texas A&M University.

• Restrictions associated with the computer account authorized for your use will be followed.

• Programs, files, E-mail, or data belonging to others will not be accessed, altered, or copied without prior authorization from the owner. In general, this authorization must be in writing. Routine maintenance is exempted from this requirement. In most cases where system integrity is an issue, immediate intervention may be taken. Such intervention is to be limited in its scope and is to be reported to the appropriate supervisor as soon as practical.

• In those cases where University Police, other police, or other appropriate agencies request access in conjunction with an investigation, the request should be reported to the Information Security Officer for the Physical Plant as soon as practical.

• Software license and copyright conditions:

	* Physical Plant employees must be aware of and comply with software license and copyright conditions.
	* Texas A&M University licenses software from a variety of companies. In general Texas A&M University does not own this software or related documentation and, unless authorized by the software owner, does not have reproduction rights.
	*Texas A&M University purchases software, or the right to use software, from a variety of companies. The copyrights for the software and documentation must be respected.
	*With regard to use on local area networks or on multiple machines, Physical Plant employees shall use the software only in accordance with the license agreement.
	*Physical Plant employees shall not be party to unauthorized use or copying software.

• Information concerning customers and their applications is to be treated as privileged information and will not be discussed except as necessary to perform your assigned duties.

• Sensitive information on the security of operating system procedures will not be divulged to anyone without a demonstrated need-to-know.

Physical Plant employees are cautioned that any violation of the computer ethics standards contained in this document may be grounds for disciplinary action. Depending on the seriousness of the violation such actions may include termination of employment, financial restitution for unauthorized use of services, and misdemeanor or felony charges in a court of law.
Staff and faculty employees are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the regulations and responsibilities as published in the Texas A&M University Rules. Student employees are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the Texas A&M University Student Rules.