POLICY
12
MEDICAL
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
SUBJECT: ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS
NOTE: THE LANGUAGE
USED IN THIS DOCUMENT DOES NOT CREATE AN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT BETWEEN THE
EMPLOYEE AND THE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA (MUSC). MUSC RESERVES THE
RIGHT TO REVISE THE CONTENT OF THIS DOCUMENT, IN WHOLE OR IN PART. NO PROMISES
OR ASSURANCES, WHETHER WRITTEN OR ORAL, WHICH ARE CONTRARY TO OR INCONSISTENT
WITH THE TERMS OF THIS PARAGRAPH CREATE ANY CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT.
The Medical University of South Carolina encourages
the use of electronic communications resources in order to improve the
efficiency and effectiveness of its workforce.
While these communications resources are widely available within the
MUSC enterprise, there are limitations and restrictions that should be
considered when using such resources as electronic mail and the internal paging
system.
This policy does not address general guidelines for
computer use on the MUSC campus, data “ownership”, security, confidentiality,
or intellectual property. For further
information regarding broad computer use policies, please refer to the MUSC
Computer Use Policy at http://www.musc.edu/infoservices/cup.html. The term “University” is used in this
policy to apply to the entire MUSC enterprise and its affiliates, which includes
but is not limited to: Medical
University of South Carolina (MUSC), Medical University Hospital Authority
(MUHA), University Medical Associates (UMA), Foundation for Research
Development (FRD), Health Science Foundation (HSF), and Carolina Family Care
(CFC).
University electronic communications resources are
intended for the sole use of MUSC’s staff, faculty, students, and other
appropriately authorized users to accomplish tasks related to the mission of
MUSC. These electronic facilities and
associated messages originating or transported within the information system
infrastructure are considered to be the property of MUSC. Electronic communications resources are
provided by MUSC in support of the educational, research, and patient care
missions of the University, as well as the administrative and other functions that
support these missions.
Users of MUSC’s electronic communications resources
are required to comply with federal and state laws, MUSC policies, and normal
standards of professional / personal conduct and courtesy. Users must be cognizant that they are using
university assets and resources, and their electronic communications and
messages are held to the same standards and accountability as other types of
communications and interactions on campus.
Misuse of electronic communications resources, facilities, services,
and/or messages is subject to provisions outlined in MUSC Disciplinary Action
policies.
MUSC:
http://www.musc.edu/hrm2/policies/policy45.html
MUHA:
http://www.musc.edu/medcenter/policy/HumanResources/POLICY45-DISCIPLINARY_ACTION.pdf
Students: http://www.musc.edu/honorcode/
MUSC users of electronic communications services may
use the facility for incidental or occasional personal purposes, provided that
such use does not: a) directly or
indirectly interfere with the University’s operation of such resources, b)
interfere with the user’s employment or other obligations to the University, or
c) generate direct costs for MUSC.
In the course of interactions with professional
organizations and/or affiliations, MUSC users of electronic communications may
use those facilities for sharing information and dialog on issues relevant to
their profession and job function.
MUSC
is not responsible for any loss or damage incurred by an individual as a result
of personal use of the University’s electronic communication’s resources.
University
electronic communications may not be used for the following:
·
illegal
activities
·
personal
financial gain
·
personal
messaging, other than incidental use
·
utilizing MUSC
business resources including operators' assistance through the paging system,
except under extenuating circumstances
·
messages that
may be construed as a conflict of interest or ethical violation
·
sending copies
of documents in violation of copyright, trademark, or defamation laws
·
“spoofing”, i.e.
creating an electronic mail communication as if it appears to be from someone
else
·
commercial
purposes not directly related to MUSC business
·
promotion of
political activities, philosophies, or positions
·
endorsements of
any non-university entity except for entities that fund or support MUSC’s
mission
·
uses that
violate other MUSC policies or guidelines, such as policies regarding harassment,
intellectual property, obscenity,
pornography, threats, theft, etc.
·
attempts to
breach security mechanisms or intercept electronic communication transmissions
·
messages that
could adversely affect MUSC’s image.
Users
of electronic communications should not give the impression that they are
representing and/or making statements or opinions on behalf of MUSC or any
division / unit of MUSC unless they are expressly authorized to do so.
Electronic
mail should not be used in a manner that would understandably strain computing
resources or interfere with other’s use of e-mail or productivity. Such uses include but are not limited
to:
·
Sending or
forwarding chain letters
·
“Spamming” i.e.
exploiting mailing lists for widespread distribution of unsolicited mail
·
“Letter bombs”
i.e. resending the same e-mail repeatedly to one or more recipients.
Occasionally,
it is important to have the ability to widely broadcast messages over available
electronic resources. Two such methods
are broadcast e-mails and broadcast paging.
Broadcast
E-mails may be arranged through the Office of Public Relations and are
monitored by that office for appropriateness.
Broadcast e-mails concerning promotional, sales, and fund-raising
activities shall be restricted to events that benefit MUSC’s patients,
employees, students, or residents. All
messages must be MUSC-related and originate from an MUSC employee, staff
member, or student. Other specific
guidelines regarding the posting of broadcast messages can be obtained through
the Office of Public Relations at 792- 3621.
Broadcast
e-mail messages for students are coordinated through the Office of Student
Programs at 792-2693 or stuinfo@musc.edu. Only MUSC entities and commercial enterprises
offering MUSC students discounts may send messages via student bulk
e-mail.
Contact
the Hospital Communications Call Center for information on group paging at:
792-7992.
|
Approved
by:
|
Information Contact
|
Revised
|
|
Lisa P.
Montgomery
Vice
President
Finance
& Administration
|
Office of
the Chief Information Officer
and
Chief
Operations Officer
|
April 2006
|