Desk and Mobile Phone Policy

Users of any College-owned desk and/or cellular telephones must read, understand, and comply with this Policy. By using the University's telephone system and business issued cellular phones, you agree to comply with all rules, regulations, and policies of the University and any applicable local, state, federal, and international laws, guidelines, and regulations.

The University's CISCO IP telephone system is a shared resource. The extension numbers assigned to faculty and staff are the property of the University.Thus, actions that inhibit or interfere with the use of the phone system by others are not permitted.

Specifically prohibited acts include, but are not limited to:

1. Telephone services and wiring may not be modified or extended beyond the area of their intended use.
2. Residential room or office connections may not be used to provide telephone access to anyone outside the University community for any purposes other than those that are in direct support of the academic mission of the University.
3. Unauthorized use of an individual's telephone extension number or voice mailbox and any attempt to gain access to a voice mailbox other than your own is prohibited. Voice mailbox passwords should never be exchanged.
4. Faculty and/or staff are not permitted to accept collect calls, arrange for third party billing to their campus telephone extension, or place operator assisted calls that result in a charge to the University. The IT department assumes no responsibility for determining who accepted or placed a call.
5. Faculty/Staff are not authorized to establish, with any vendor, any type of long distance access account assigned to any campus telephone extension. A campus telephone extension determined by the IT department to have such an account in use will be subject to the cost of any call(s) and the account is subject to cancellation. The IT department assumes no responsibility for determining who placed a call. Bills will be directed to the relevant extension.
6. Attempting to place a billable call from any College telephone without paying for the service may constitute theft.
7. The University policy regarding harassment, sexual harassment, and respect for all persons extends to all uses of electronic technology and communication on campus, including answering machines and voice mailboxes. Any member of the University community receiving profane, indecent, harassing, or threatening calls should report them immediately to the Help Desk, ext. 8290.
8. Forgery or other misrepresentations of one's identity via electronic or any other form of communication is a violation. This policy includes concealing or falsifying one's age for purposes of accessing material restricted from minors. State and federal laws may also apply.
9. A College assigned telephone may not be used by any person to transact or otherwise conduct a commercial business.

Failure to abide by the above listed policy may result in:

1. Termination of phone or voicemail service
2. Payment for damages or costs incurred by the University
3. Formal judicial charges

Any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the University, as a result of the violation of any policy, will be billed to the offender. Local, state, and federal laws may apply to any of the above violations.

The University provides cellular telephones, as approved by departmental supervisors, to full-time and part-time employees as a business tool. They are provided to assist employees in communicating effectively with other employees and outside clients/vendors as deemed necessary. All customer service calls should be directed to the IT Help Desk unit. The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines regarding the use of and responsibilities required as a Monroe University cell phone user. Cell phones that are purchased through the Information Technology Department are the property of the University. The primary use of the device is for College-related business. Personal use of an assigned device should be occasional; for example, business related trips or emergencies. Phone bills will be monitored for any "excessive" usage.

Individuals to whom cellular phones have been provided are responsible for the security and maintenance of the phones and must promptly report any damage, theft, or vandalism to the Information Technology Department. The University will be responsible for the replacement of damaged phones for the first incident, excluding water damage and accessories. Cost resulting from subsequent incidents will be charged to the individual. Devices that are lost or stolen must be reported to the IT Department immediately so the data can be erased remotely and the device locked to prevent malicious use of the device or data.

NOTE: Under no circumstances should the assigned cellular phone be used as a replacement for a personal cell phone or residential landline phone.

• Do not consider cellular phones bills private or secure because the bill contains your name and an itemized listing of your phone usage. Monroe University has the right to monitor cellular bills and usage to determine if misuse or abuse exists.
• Cellular phones may not be used to defame, harass, intimidate or threaten any other person(s).
• Do not allow others to use your phone, as you will be ultimately responsible for payment of charges.
• A College assigned telephone may not be used by any person to transact or otherwise conduct a commercial business.
• Text messaging is allowed only for College-business related purposes.
• Text/Mobile voting for such programs such as American Idol, Deal or no Deal, etc., are strongly prohibited.
• Internet browsing is allowed only for College-business related purposes.
• Mobile phone online shopping, web browsing, downloading, or any data related activities are prohibited at ALL times.
• Caribbean Island Calls (St. Lucia, Jamaica, etc.) are prohibited unless directly related to College business. If it is pertinent that such calls be placed, you must notify the IT department after the call is placed.

This responsibility exists regardless of what monitoring mechanisms may be in place. Violation of these policies may lead to suspension, loss of service, or privilege, and may lead to even more serious sanctions.

Do not allow others to use your phone, as you will be ultimately responsible for payment of charges.