CM-14 Usage of Electronic Mail

The use of electronic mail shall be consistent with the instructional, research, public service, patient care and administrative goals and mission of the Health Sciences Center. Incidental and occasional personal use of electronic mail may occur when such use does not generate a direct cost to the Health Sciences Center.

The following examples are prohibited uses of E-Mail:

• Personal use that creates a direct cost to the Health Sciences Center.
• Personal use for monetary gain or for commercial purposes not directly related to Health Sciences Center business.
• Sending copies of documents or including the work of others in E-Mail communications that are in violation of copyright law.
• Obtaining or attempting to access the files or electronic mail of others. Capturing or attempting to open the electronic mail of others except as required to diagnose and correct delivery problems.
• Harassing, intimidating or threatening others through electronic messages.
• Constructing a false communication that appears to be from someone else. This is called Aspoofing.@
• Sending or forwarding unsolicited E-mail to lists of people you do not know. This is called Aspamming.@ Bulk mailing is almost always considered Aspam.@ It places considerable strain on the E-mail system. Bulk mailing of information can be selectively used for business related communication but must be approved at a level appropriate to the scope and content of the information. Authorized bulk mailings will be tagged with the statement, AThis message has been authorized by LSU Health Sciences Center administration for mass distribution as a service to our faculty, staff and students.@
• Sending or forwarding chain letters.
• Violation of the above policy in any part may be sufficient grounds for disciplinary action and/or termination.

Signed: John C. McDonald, M.D. Chancellor
June 1, 2001