The ethical principles that apply to everyday academic community life also apply to the use of information and networking resources. Every member of the RPI community has basic rights and responsibilities. It is unethical for anyone to violate these rights or ignore these responsibilities. 

Furthermore, everything that is technically possible is not necessarily ethical or legal. Anyone who uses RPI's computer systems and networks is responsible for meeting the standards outlined in RPI's policy. 

To participate in community life, we expect for ourselves and extend to others the freedom to express ideas and a respect for privacy, for property, and for the environment in which we work. In community life, these expectations are reflected in the privileges and responsibilities afforded to each of its members. 

The privilege of access to RPI's information systems imposes certain responsibilities and obligations and is granted subject to Institute policies and local, state, and federal laws. (The phrase "RPI's information systems" refers to RPI’s network and all of RPI’s information resources and services.) 

Appropriate use should always be ethical, reflect academic honesty and community standards, show restraint in the consumption of shared resources, and be in compliance with RPI's policies and state and federal law. It should demonstrate respect for intellectual property; ownership of data; system security mechanisms; and individuals' rights to privacy and to freedom from intimidation, discrimination, harassment, and unwarranted annoyance. Appropriate use of RPI's information systems includes instruction; independent study; authorized research; independent research; communication; and official work of the offices, units, recognized student and campus organizations, and agencies of the Institute. 

The complete text of RPI's Cyber Citizenship Policy, outlining the privileges, responsibilities, and obligations of those who participate in RPI's electronic community, is available at https://policy.rpi.edu/policy/cyber-citizenship. Students may also request extra copies from the Voorhees Computing Center Help Desk or the Dean of Students Office. 

The Cyber Citizenship Policy is an Institute wide policy intended to allow for the proper use of all RPI's information systems, effective protection of individual users, equitable access, and proper management of those resources. It should be taken in the broadest possible sense and applies to RPI network usage even in situations where it would not apply to the devices in use (for example, student-owned devices connected to the campus network). The policy is intended to supplement, not replace, all existing laws, regulations, agreements, contracts, and RPI policies that currently apply to these services. 

The policy contains sections on: 

• Appropriate Use and Authorized Users
• Responsibilities and Privileges
• Prohibitions
• Relationship to Other Policies
• Reporting Violations
• Enforcement and Sanctions 

As a condition of using information systems at RPI, you must be familiar with this policy and observe it. Persons in violation of the policy are subject to the full range of sanctions, including, but not limited to, the loss of computer or network access privileges, disciplinary action, dismissal from the Institute, and legal action. Some violations may constitute criminal offenses and be subject to local, state, and/or federal prosecution.