Most universities provide services to assist students and faculty with computing and networking on campus. Academic computing services are relatively similar in purpose, policy, and services across university campuses.

In its catalogue, the University of California, Irvine (UCI) offers an explanation of the role the Office of Academic Computing plays on the university campus:

The OAC’s Mission Statement provides more specific goals:

• Ubiquitous electronic communications infrastructure,
• Basic computing and communications services to students and faculty,
• Unique computer and network expertise and services best provided by a campus-wide organization,
• Assistance to departmental computing personnel,
• Technical leadership and campus-wide coordination for computing and electronic communication, and
• Enhanced services to a few academic programs needing leading edge technical support.²

UCI utilizes UNIX-based systems in which students are assigned an account (an "ID") and password at a central location for accessing email and the Internet on campus. Specific email programs vary depending on what the student signs up for–such as Eudora, PINE, Netscape, or Outlook–but underneath any program is a series of UNIX computers, using passwords and logins that are maintained in a centralized file system.

Students can access the network from many on-campus public computing labs. These machine are usually personal computers that do not require login for individual use. Login is required, however, to take advantage of network services such as Internet access and electronic mail. As an additional security measure, and to protect against theft and vandalism, many of the public labs have constant video surveillance.

The network is maintained by full time personnel of the OAC with the significant assistance of paid student help.

In addition to providing computers, software, and support to academic users within a college community, a subsidiary goal of campus academic computing services is to enforce computer usage policy. The Office of Academic Computing (OAC) at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) had implemented a Computer and Network Policy that all users were required to read before being given an account. Each user signed a document indicating they had read this policy. The policy encourages using university email services to share information, to improve communication, and to exchange ideas. The OAC provides a brief description of the aim of the policy that is helpful:

1. The University community is informed about the applicability of policies and laws to electronic mail,
2. Electronic mail services are used in compliance with those policies and laws,
3. Users of electronic mail services are informed about how concepts of privacy and security apply to electronic mail, and
4. Disruptions to University electronic mail and other services and activities are minimized.³

Access to email is a privilege, not a right. Compliance to the policy is expected for all users, and failure to meet this responsibility can result in dismissal or revocation of this privilege.

Response to policy violations

The Office of Academic Computing (OAC) at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) has a Computer and Network Policy that all users are required to read before being given an account. Each user signs a document indicating they have read this policy. In the words of the policy, the purpose of the policy is to assure that:

• The University community is informed about the applicability of policies and laws to electronic mail,
• Electronic mail services are used in compliance with those policies and laws,
• Users of electronic mail services are informed about how concepts of privacy and security apply to electronic mail, and
• Disruptions to University electronic mail and other services and activities are minimized.4

Access to email is considered to be a privilege, not a right. Compliance with the policy is expected for all users, and failure to comply can result in dismissal or revocation of this privilege.

The Computer and Network Policy defined at UCI specifically states an example of misuse to be "using computers or electronic mail to act abusively toward others or to provoke a violent reaction, such as stalking, acts of bigotry, threats of violence, or other hostile or intimidating ‘fighting words.’ Such words include those terms widely recognized to victimize or stigmatize individuals on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, and other protected characteristics."⁵ Masking or falsifying one’s identity in an email is also used as an example, and is prohibited. The OAC lists among possible consequences the "temporary or permanent loss of computing and/or network privileges and/or Federal or State legal prosecution."

Although the OAC did not have a specific procedure to follow for each case of computer misuse that might arise, it did have an informal agreement worked out with the Dean of Students. In general, the Dean of Students’ stance was that, once students had been admitted to the college, they have access like any other student to the various privileges on campus. If rules regarding those privileges are violated, privileges can be revoked. The OAC deals directly with any such cases, without contacting the Dean until it is an issue that is out of the scope of the computer use policy. In most cases, once a problem is identified, the OAC contacts the person, gets their attention by locking their access to their email account, and holds an internal hearing for the student with a few faculty and staff.