Adopted June 15, 1990; Revised September 6, 1994; Revised January 20, 2000

WiscNet’s purpose is to advance education, research, economic development and public service by enabling the exchange of information among its constituencies. The network uses high-speed digital communication to help members gain access to scientific, educational, and other resources. The network supports collaborative instruction, research, economic development and public service. It provides access to regional, national and international networks and hence to national resources like supercomputer centers. In general, it supports the education, research, public service and economic development missions of its members.

1) Use that is consistent with the purposes of WiscNet is acceptable.

2) Use directly supporting approved uses is acceptable, for example:

  • education

  • research

  • state, local or national government affairs

  • economic development

  • public service

3) Communications that violate Wisconsin, federal or international laws are unacceptable.

4) Activities designed to interfere with the ability of other users to make effective use of the network are unacceptable.

5) Using the network in a harmful or harassing manner is unacceptable.

The above statements of policy are not meant to be exhaustive. The WiscNet Board of Directors is the final authority on questions of acceptable use of the network. Until an issue is resolved, questionable use should be considered unacceptable.

WiscNet members are responsible for seeing that their communities are aware of and follow this policy in letter and in spirit.

WiscNet members should require authentication for all users of the network.

Members are expected to take all reasonable measures, given the constraints of technology and management practices, to ensure that traffic entering WiscNet from other networks conforms to this acceptable use policy. Conversely, members are similarly expected to avoid having traffic from their organizations violate the policies of connecting networks that carry WiscNet traffic.

Caution: While WiscNet is a reliable network, Internet communication protocols are in general not secure. Encryption is strongly encouraged for transmitting confidential or sensitive information.