Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Graduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Campus Resources


ETSU Campus

East Tennessee State University Campus

Academic and Career Support Campus Services: Books, Food, & More Student Life Campus Recreation
Health & Counseling Technology & Computing Transit, Parking, & Safety New & Events
Housing & Residence Life      

 

Academic and Career Support

 

Graduate Success Specialist

The Graduate Student Success Specialist is now available to listen to you and help you find the resources you need to be successful at ETSU.

 The Carrier Center (423) 439-6633

The The Carrier Center  is staffed by professionals who evaluate students’ academic progress as it relates to their personal aspirations and career goals. In addition to advising students, referrals for additional academic assistance are made when necessary. The center is user-friendly so that students can access advisement, career and support services without ever leaving the facility. The center serves as a primary resource for students who have a variety of needs including those who are entering the university for the first time, those that are unsure about an academic major or career option, and those who wish to take advantage of various academic support services to enhance their classroom learning.

Cooperative Education and Internship Services (423) 439-5388

This office provides students the opportunity to gain valuable “work world” experience while earning academic credit. Students may co-op/intern in their chosen major or minor. Additionally, this office assists with resume development and Internet job access information. Visit our web site at www.etsu.edu/careers.

University Tutoring Services (423) 439-4758

An academic support program that offers a variety of tutoring approaches. UTS offers group and online tutoring for selected high-risk core courses. These services are free and available to all ETSU students. Visit our web site at https://www.etsu.edu/uged/cfaa/learning/

Alumni Association

The ETSU Office of University Alumni is the campus contact for nearly 70,000 university graduates and former students. All of these individuals are members of the ETSU Alumni Association.

Alumni may participate in a variety of activities, such as regional chapter activities, constituent societies, special alumni programs, alumni student recruitment, reunions, Homecoming and various events that support ETSU.

Many alumni are chosen to participate in the popular “Alumni Return to the Classroom” program, which features alumni as “Professors for a Day” sharing their professional experiences with students during Homecoming week. Alumni also participate in the “Buc Connection” career development network or support student recruitment through the Alumni Admissions Council.

ETSU’s Alumni Association, in cooperation with the ETSU Foundation, also supports scholarships for academically outstanding students. The Office of University Alumni is located on campus in room 303 of Burgin E. Dossett Hall, phone (423) 439-4218 

Appalachian Studies and Services

The Center for Appalachian Studies and Services, a Tennessee Center of Excellence, coordinates instruction, research, and public service programs that address quality of life issues in the Appalachian region. The center encompasses the Archives of Appalachia, the B. Carroll Reece Museum, the Regional Resources Institute, and supports the minor in Appalachian Studies; the Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Country Music Program; Appalachian, Scottish, and Irish Studies Program; the Encyclopedia of Appalachia; the Governor’s School for Tennessee Heritage; and a host of other activities. The center offers internships for qualified students. The center’s administrative offices are located at 217 Roy Nicks Hall, phone (423) 439-7865, e-mail cass@etsu.edu, https://www.etsu.edu/cass/.

University Career Services

Experienced career professionals are available to help you focus on careers that match your personal goals. They will support you in preparing a resume and other materials for your job search, learning the job search skills that lead to success, and identifying the work experiences that will help you continue to grow and develop as a student and a graduate.

All students are encouraged to utilize these services during each year at ETSU. Making career decisions is a lifelong process. Whether you are exploring work, graduate school, or volunteer experience, University Career Services will help you prepare for the next step in your journey.

Additional information and resources are available at https://www.etsu.edu/students/careers/

Disability Services

Disability Services offers accommodations and services to students, faculty, and staff who have disabilities to allow an equal opportunity for participation in educational pursuits and campus activities. The Office also provides guidance and assistance with issues related to ADA.

In compliance with the federal regulations outlined in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Amendment Act of 2008: it is the policy of East Tennessee State University to make accommodations, course substitutions, and other academic adjustments when necessary to insure equal access for students with disabilities.

ETSU does not provide any type of learning disabilities evaluations; however, Disability Services maintains a list of professionals in private practice that can evaluate learning disabilities. To request a copy of the referral list or to schedule an intake appointment call Disability Services at 423-439-8346

Little Bucs

Little Buccaneers Early Childhood Learning Program is a play-based center that supports students of ETSU by providing care to children ages 3 months to 5 years of age. A parent or caregiver must be enrolled in a degree-seeking program through ETSU in order for their child to attend Little Bucs. Information for this program can be obtained by calling 439-7549.

Regional Centers

ETSU at Kingsport is located on 97 acres and offers day, evening and weekend classes, including lower and upper division and graduate courses. The selection is sufficient to meet most degree requirements of the university during the first two years. The phone number is 392-8000.

ETSU at Greeneville is located in the Greeneville-Greene County Center for Higher Education building, 215 North College Street in downtown Greeneville. Selected undergraduate and graduate courses are available during the day and evening through an articulation agreement between ETSU and Walters State Community College.

The Department of Allied Health Sciences, located at the Nave Center in Elizabethton, is a multidisciplinary department offering courses of study leading to a Bachelor of Science. The Bachelor of Science degree is available in Allied Health with concentrations in Allied Health Leadership, Cardiopulmonary Science, and Radiography. The telephone number is (423) 547-4900. The department offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene. The telephone number is (423) 439-4497.

School of Continuing Studies and Academic Outreach

An academic service provider for the university, the School of Continuing Studies and Academic Outreach offers a variety of opportunities. The Division of Cross-Disciplinary Studies makes it possible to offer degree programs or selected courses at the work place or in local communities through Cohort Programs. The Bachelor of General Studies, Bachelor of Applied Science, Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies, and the Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies programs serve non-traditional students who need courses off-campus, in the evening, or online. The Master of Arts in Liberal Studies and the Master of Professional Studies allow adult students to pursue interdisciplinary study in a variety of areas. A regional center in Kingsport affords students the opportunity to remain close to home and pursue a degree.

Campus Tours: Please call (423) 439-4221 to schedule a campus tour. We can also schedule a meeting with a graduate program coordinator. For a virtual visit to ETSU, try our web site at www.etsu.edu.

The Office of Veterans Affairs is concerned with the needs, problems, and success of students eligible for educational assistance benefits affiliated with a branch of the Armed Forces. These include all chapters of the G.I. Bill, Title 38, United States Code, Yellow Ribbon, Tennessee STRONG (Support, Training, and Renewing Opportunity for National Guardsmen) Act, Army Federal Tuition Assistance, the Air Force’s Academic Institution (AI Portal), and Military Spouse Career Advancement (MyCAA) programs.


 

Campus Services: Books, Food, and More

 

 

Bookstore

The University Bookstore is located on the 3rd floor of the D.P. Culp Center. It is open fall and spring semester Monday - Thursday 7:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. You may reach the store by phone at (423) 439-4436 - https://www.bkstr.com/shopetsustore/home

Campus Post Office

The Campus Post Office is a full service Post Office in the D. P. Culp University Center. Commuter students can apply for a post office box if desired and residential students are assigned a P.O. Box which remains with the student until graduation.

University Center, D.P. Culp 

The D.P. Culp University Center includes ID Services, Conference Services, Facility Reservations, and The Information Services Desk which serves as a resource for valuable campus information, community information, lost and found, ticket sales, and is considered the switchboard after hours. Contact the Culp University Center office at (423) 439-6633.

Dining Services

Dining Services offers a variety of meal plans and dining options throughout campus from early morning to late night. Locations include an all-you-care-to-eat restaurant, a two level food court, three on-campus convenience stores, and a bagel and coffee shop at the library.


 

Student Life

 

New Student and Family Programs

Because we know that making a successful transition means more than getting a schedule of classes, New Student and Family Programs (NSFP) serves as a central source of student information, referral and advocacy for students.  Our mission is to assist new students and their families in successfully transitioning to the ETSU community. Our programs provide a welcoming atmosphere, promote academic success and foster a sense of Buccaneer pride. We are here to assist first time freshman, transfers and adult students with processes regarding entering and adjusting to ETSU and college life as well as connect students and families to relevant resources. Our department is committed to student’s academic success and personal growth.

Located in the D.P. Culp Student Center on the 2nd floor, The Office of New Student & Family Programs (NSFP) mission is to assist new students and their families in successfully transitioning to the ETSU community. Our programs provide a welcoming atmosphere, promote academic success and foster a sense of Buccaneer pride. We are here to assist first time freshman, transfers and adult students with processes regarding entering and adjusting to ETSU and college life as well as connect students and families to relevant resources. Our department is committed to student’s academic success and personal growth. Hours are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Phone:(423) 439-8452

Student Organizations

If you are looking for ways to get involved on campus - you have come to the right spot. There are more than 150 registered student organizations on the campus of ETSU, representing the diverse interests of our student population. Students are encouraged to be involved in campus life and our office can help you make the connection.

The Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership serves as the resource center for all registered student organizations. We provide services and information, such as registration of organizations, assistance with event planning, maintenance of student activity calendar of events, and leadership training for student organizations.

Almost 150 student organizations provide involvement opportunities for everyone. Student organizations at ETSU are categorized into one of the following areas which best describes their general purpose: Academic, Community Service, Governance, Greek, Honors, Religious, Residence Life, University Programs, and Special Interest. Contact Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership, phone (423) 439-5675 for more information.

Student Government Association

The Student Government Association (SGA) strives to represent the opinions of the students on every aspect of campus academic and extracurricular life. Its members work closely with students, faculty, and administration to provide advice and information and a strong voice in the governance of the university.

Volunteer ETSU

Volunteer ETSU is a student-organized community service resource center that promotes, organizes, and supports a variety of public service opportunities for the campus community. It continues a long tradition of service to the community by students, faculty, staff, and alumni of East Tennessee State University.

Named the 417th Point of Light by the Office of the President of the United States, Volunteer ETSU promotes volunteerism and coordinates the major service projects and activities for students, encouraging thoughtful experiences in service, and challenging participants to actively address the problems we face as a society.

For more information or to become involved in Volunteer ETSU or any of its numerous projects, call 439-4254 or e-mail at vetsu@etsu.edu. Volunteer ETSU is located inside the Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership, lower level of the D.P. Culp University Center.

Mary V. Jordan Multicultural Center

The Multicultural Center sponsors six diverse student organizations that bring a sense of belonging and community for our students. The Multicultural Center seeks to promote the University’s commitment of diversity, and to broadening multicultural awareness and sensitivity, and encourages cross-cultural collaborative relationships through recruitment, retention, engagement and success. 

International Programs and Services

The International Programs and Services Office, located on the first floor of Yoakley Hall, Room 122, and is an administrative unit under the ETSU Honors College. The office serves the international community of visiting international students and scholars from more than 60 countries who attend or visit ETSU. Programming, advising, immigration paperwork, community outreach, Friendship Family Program, and the IBB (International Buc Buddy program) are among the many services offered by the office. (www.etsu.edu/international) The office also coordinates study abroad, overseas university partnerships, exchange programs, and the International Education Study Abroad Scholarship.

Studying Abroad gives students the opportunity to gain a broader appreciation of diverse cultures outside the region and around the world. The office advises students of the many study abroad opportunities available in over 60 countries. All student abroad placements are subject to minimum eligibility requirements. For more information regarding International Student Services or Study Abroad, please visit https://www.etsu.edu/honors/international/, phone 423-439-7737, or email interntl@etsu.edu.

International Student Services provides immigration advising and other pertinent services for prospective and current international students to ETSU. This office houses the Designated School Official, the person who is responsible for monitoring international students under the F-1 and J-1 status as well as visiting scholars under the J-1 status as mandated by the Department of Homeland Security. Services provided to international students include but are not limited to orientation for new students and scholars, assistance with Social Security issues for eligible students, and assistance on personal and academic issues.

Scholarships are available through IPS for both incoming non-US citizens applying for admission to ETSU and ETSU students interested in studying abroad. For more information, please visit www.etsu.edu/honors/international/internationalstudentscholarships/.


 

Campus Recreation

 

Athletics

Athletics provides all the info that you will need to support and get involved in ETSU athletics. Get all of the latest BUC news, media, ticket availability, and schedules for athletic teams.

Department of Campus Recreation

The Department of Campus Recreation, a unit in the Division of Student Life and Enrollment, provides a wide range of physical activities and recreational sports for the entire ETSU community. Five types of programs are offered: fitness, intramural sports, non-credit instruction, outdoor adventure, and sports clubs. Campus Recreation is one of ETSU’s largest employees of student labor. The unit participates in all of the university’s work programs - APS, FWSP, RSWP, and temporary support. Graduate assistant positions are also available.

Basler Center for Physical Activity

Fitness programs are the most popular types of recreational activity on any college campus. The CPA boasts a 15,000-square-foot weight-room with cardiovascular stations, free weights, and weight machines. Aerobic/group exercise classes are scheduled daily in the CPA’s aerobics/martial arts studio. There is also a personal training service with fitness testing, exercise prescription, and supervised workouts. Lap swimming will be scheduled three times daily during the week. Aqua aerobics classes are scheduled as well. All programs operate in the “state-of-the-art” indoor and outdoor complex designed for the exclusive recreational use of the ETSU student body and current employees. The “CPA” was built and operates with student fee dollars. Indoor spaces include: basketball/soccer/volleyball courts, climbing wall, group exercise/martial arts studio, pool, racquetball/squash courts, and weight-rooms (huge weight-room). There is also a casual care service, equipment room, locker room, and personal training suite. Directly adjacent to the CPA is the Basler Challenge course with its towers, walls, and low elements. Also located beside the building are two lighted ballfields that can accommodate a range of team sports. The project’s intent will improve the connection students have to ETSU and give them a more complete collegiate experience.

Intramural Sports

Varieties of team and individual intramural sports are scheduled each semester. Traditional fall team sports are flag football and volleyball. Spring team sports are basketball and softball. The four major leagues play four game regular seasons plus playoffs and contest Men’s A, Men’s B, Women’s, and Co-Rec divisions. Each year’s individual sports includes two road races and a golf tournament in the fall, and a bench press contest, racquetball, and tennis in the spring. Campus Recreation is also very involved in Homecoming in the fall.

Basler Challenge Course

The course is the centerpiece of the university’s outdoor-adventure program. The course includes an Alpine Tower, Carolina Straight Wall, and 12 low elements. Campus Recreation stages leadership and team building seminars for academic departments and student groups. For more information or to schedule a seminar, call 439- 4266. There are also times for individual students to challenge the tower and climb. All gear is provided. Backpacks, sleeping bags, and tents can be rented from room 230, Brooks Gym. The department stages skydiving, paintball, skiing, and whitewater rafting most years.

Student leadership and volunteerism in an athletic environment are the focus of sports clubs programs. Individual clubs promote competition, instruction, and social interaction. To learn about currently functioning clubs, or to establish a new one, contact the Campus Recreation Office.

Preference is given to students majoring in exercise science or sports management, but any ETSU student would find Campus Recreation to be a challenging, rewarding, user-friendly environment. Studies have indicated that students who are employed on campus persist to graduation better than those who work off campus or do not work at all. Please inquire early in the semester about possible employment opportunities.

Memberships

There are two options for spouse and dependent use of the CPA. Spouse and dependent memberships may be purchased at the equipment room. Such memberships are available only to the immediate family members of currently enrolled students and currently employed faculty and staff members. Dependents 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent at all times in the CPA. Memberships for dependents 18-21 may also be purchased and those adult users will be issued a picture ID. Access will not be made available to dependents 22 and over.

It is the goal of the Department of Campus Recreation to provide a comprehensive service schedule of events, programs, and services for the entire ETSU community. The program is all-inclusive and previous athletic experience or skill is not a prerequisite for participation. For more information, call 439-7980 or come by the department office in the Basler Center for Physical Activity.

Graduate and Professional Student Association

The Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA) of East Tennessee State University is a student-managed organization whose membership is open to all currently enrolled post-baccalaureate degree-seeking students. Our primary function is to improve the quality of graduate and professional education and student experience at ETSU. 


 

 

BucShot Campus Shuttle

BucShot is a free university shuttle system operated in partnership with Johnson City Transit which links the entire campus and all perimeter parking lots with main academic and administration buildings and provides service to a number of local off-campus apartments.

Johnson City Transit

Johnson City Transit is Johnson City’s municipal transit system. JCT operates fixed route services (including Bucshot service on/around ETSU campus), paratransit services for individuals with disabilities, and various demand-response call-in services. ETSU students can connect to the Johnson City metro area by hopping on a city bus free of charge with the ETSU ID card.

Parking Services

Parking Services is responsible for registration of motor vehicles, student parking decals, carpool and priority parking permits, visitor and temporary parking permits.

Commuter Student Services:

Public Safety

The Public Safety Building is located at the entrance of the university on University Parkway and has personnel on duty 24 hours a day for assistance. The emergency telephone number is 911. The public safety staff is composed of 21 state-certified sworn police officers who are also trained fire fighters. Public safety is a full-service police department encompassing traffic and parking enforcement, uniformed patrol, criminal investigations, and crime prevention education. Public Safety also provides these services: an escort service, engravers, booster cables, and battery booster packs. The non-emergency telephone number is (423) 439-4480. The number for the administrative offices is (423) 439-6900.

A traffic and parking regulation brochure has been prepared to inform and to protect all who use the campus roadways and parking areas. It is available in the Public Safety Building or at window #10 on the second floor of Burgin E. Dossett Hall.

The Campus Safety Website is a one stop shop for campus safety resources, providing emergency phone numbers, and important information about emergency preparedness systems, campus safety services, programs, and policies. 

The Department of Public Safety is a professional law enforcement agency which provides for the overall safety and security of the University community and its properties. The Public Safety Office is located at the main entrance of the campus on University Parkway. The department is open 365 days per year and uses Public Safety Officers to patrol campus by automobile and on foot 24 hours per day. A 24-hour dispatch service is also maintained. The Department of Public Safety is responsible for campus security. The public safety office is located at the main entrance of the campus on University Parkway. The department is open 365 days per year and utilizes public safety officers to patrol campus by automobile and on foot 24 hours per day. A 24-hour dispatch service is also maintained.

Emergency Notification for Students can be utilized by contacting the Division of Student Affairs Office which coordinates assistance for students and other constituents with emergencies and traumatic events that may impact their lives. The service includes locating a student on campus when notified of a family medical emergency, and contacting professors when there is an extended student absence due to an illness or emergency.

GoldAlert is the cell phone texting and email system that will let you know about school cancellations due to inclement weather changes and other emergency situations. Sign up to participate and get important emergency information.

For a secure safety transport on campus to or from your vehicle, a campus building, or across campus, you can utilize the Safety Escort-Safe Voyage program during the fall and spring semesters, the BUCSHOT evening route service hours operate on a fixed-route schedule from 5:00 until 10:45 Mon-Fri, with Safe-Voyage trips available upon request from 8:00 until midnight by calling 914-5940. During all other times, on-campus security escorts are available by contacting the ETSU Department of Public Safety at 439-4480.


 

Technology and Computing

 

ETSU Email 

Your ETSU email address will serve as a primary form of communication from university offices and should be checked often. Your student email account is open and ready for use after your admission to ETSU!

Computer Labs are available throughout the campus. Open university labs are located on the first floor of the Charles C. Sherrod Library, and the first floor of Lucille Clement Hall.

D2L (Desire 2 Learn) 

D2L is the ETSU Learning Management System. Every course has a D2L website associated with it, allowing students in that course to access material such as content, grades, tests, and other information the instructor provides.

ELearning and Online Education

ELearning and Online Education provides information about online learning through D2L, academic technology support services, web development for the university, instructional television services, and digital media services.

GoldLink

The GoldLink ETSU portal allows students to access ETSU information, such as grades, course schedules, and transcripts. GoldLink can be customized to display relevant information and serves as a single sign-on launching point for D2L and other important campus services.

OIT Student Help Desk

The OIT Student Help Desk aids students with personal computer problems, D2L issues, resetting passwords, and accessing Goldmail.

Residence Hall Network

Residence Hall Network (ResNET) helps ETSU on-campus students access the Internet, campus network and find answers to frequently asked questions.


 

Health and Counseling

 

The BucsCARE website is meant to be a resource for students and for student referral. BucsCARE includes the most referenced offices and campus resources in various categories. This page includes a link to ETSU’s “Need Help?” site which includes a comprehensive listing to other resources by topic area. In addition, students and staff can use the “Report a Concern” left navigation button to submit an online CARE Report or an Incident Report. BucsCARE was developed to be a one stop online resource for campus and community resources.

The Counseling Center provides services to currently enrolled students including personal, relationship, career counseling, educational programming, case management, psychiatric services, and consulting. The Center provides a range of services and programming related to alcohol/drug issues, relationship violence, sexual assault and suicide prevention.

The Dental Hygiene Clinic offers clinical services, including dental screening, routine dental prophylaxis, preventive therapies, periodontal therapies, and x-ray films for a nominal fee.

The Speech-Language & Hearing Clinic offers hearing screenings and evaluations, assessment of hearing aid candidacy and options, speech & language evaluations, and speech therapy.

The Student Health Clinic provides a range of health services for ETSU students including treatment for acute/episodic illness, such as upper respiratory, sore throat, stomach ache and injury. The Clinic also provides women’s and men’s health programs, STD screenings, immunization and allergy clinics, health education programs and information about student health insurance. Consultation services are free of charge and reduced fees are available for many tests.


 

Housing and Residence Life

 

Where You Live Matters!

On-campus living is at the heart of ETSU campus life and offers attractive, affordable, safe, and convenient educational opportunities for graduate students. You will have increased access to the library; computer labs; extracurricular activities; intercollegiate athletics; health facilities; intramural and recreation programs; other students; lectures; concerts; other campus facilities; services; and programs.

Family/Graduate Housing-Buccaneer Ridge Phase 5-

A limited number of apartments are available for married or single parents or single graduate students. These include one-bedroom apartments for married or single parents with a child under the age of seven, and a limited number of private efficiency apartments for graduate students. Applications for these apartments require a $100 deposit. Rent is payable by the semester and includes water, electricity, Ethernet connection, Wi-Fi, and cable TV hookup.

Buccaneer Ridge Apartments

Sophomores and above enjoy two- occupancy bedroom apartment units. Each apartment contains a furnished living area, single bedrooms with double bed, closet, desk, and chest of drawers; kitchen facilities, including full-sized refrigerator, stove, microwave, and garbage disposal; washer and dryer; and two bathrooms. Each bedroom is provided with an alarm system; cable TV, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi; and individual locks. Residents enjoy a clubhouse with lounging pool; volleyball court; basketball courts; disc golf course; bike trail; and individual leases with no connection fees.

Application Procedure - Early application, preferably before March 1, for fall semester and October 1 for spring semester is encouraged. Assignments for fall semester begin in April and mid-December for spring.

A completed application and a $100 reservation/damage deposit is required and accepted at any time. Room/hall assignments are made according to the date of the application and deposit and availability. On-campus students are able to retain their current room or sign for another hall and/or room each semester.

Living on campus is strongly encouraged, but not required or guaranteed, except for selected programs that provide rent scholarships to their participants to live on campus. Applications may be completed on line at https://www.etsu.edu/housing.

Refund of Residence Hall Rent and Deposits

If a student withdraws from ETSU or moves out of the residence hall, a refund of the residence hall rent or meal plan may be granted. A student who is suspended or expelled from ETSU or the residence facilities is not eligible for a refund of housing rent/deposit or university fees. Click here to read the complete policy.​


 

News and Events

 

Buctainment

Comprised of students, Buctainment plans major campus events such as concerts, movies, lectures, comedy shows, and Homecoming. Students can be involved with Buctainment as a member or programmer, or by attending a show as an audience member. It is a great opportunity to learn the technical, business, and marketing side of the entertainment industry. Located in the Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership, D.P. Culp University Center, lower level, phone (423) 439-6828 or email etsufun@etsu.edu.

The East Tennessean is the ETSU student newspaper and is published twice weekly during the fall and spring semesters.

The ETSU Master Calendar of events and activities provides a method to announce and publicize events that are open to the campus community and the general public.

WETS-FM, ETSU’s Public Radio Station, is affiliated with National Public Radio and Public Radio International, operates 24 hours a day on 89.5 MHZ.

Illuminated: Graduate Student Research Magazine is a magazine that showcases the excellent work of ETSU graduate students and their faculty advisors.

Computer Use Information

Computer Resources Code of Ethics

All users of any institutionally maintained electronic data, data files, software, and networks are expected to handle the resource in a responsible and ethical manner. A user’s interest ceases when it invades the right of personal and/or institutional privacy; results in the destruction of personal and/or institutional property; demonstrates a potential for loss, embarrassment, litigation to the individual and/or institution; or causes a limited resource to be used in a wasteful or careless manner.

All information processed through Computer Services is considered sensitive and/or confidential. The responsibility for the release or discussion of data is assigned to the official custodian of the data file(s). Access to information is based on a legitimate “need to know” and directly related to assigned duties.

University electronically maintained data, data files, software, and networks will be used for authorized purposes only. Users are responsible for the security of the resources.

Any use of the resource deemed irresponsible or unethical (as defined in the Faculty Handbook section 1.10.1) will result in the immediate denial of use of the resource. The violation will be referred to the proper authorities for disciplinary and/or legal action including, but not limited to, restitution, restriction, reprimand, suspension, probation, expulsion, termination, and, if necessary, legal action.

Appeals will be handled through due process channels (APA) already established for students and/or staff. Student violations will be referred to the Vice President for Student Affairs and/or Vice President for Health Affairs; faculty violations will be referred to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and/or the Vice President for Health Affairs; and staff violations will be referred to the Vice President for Finance and Administration.

The following examples attempt to convey the intent of irresponsible and/or unethical use: violation of Federal/State copyright laws; violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974; use of the resource for obscene material; deliberate wasteful use of the resource, unauthorized altering of hardware, software, or data; piracy of data or software belonging to another person; or careless use of the resource which may result in the release of restricted information.

Computer Network and Internet Access: Privileges & Responsibilities

East Tennessee State University (ETSU) operates a wide-area network that interconnects local area networks in academic and administrative offices, student computer labs, and in the future dormitory rooms. The university maintains connections into the Tennessee Education Cooperative Network (TECnet), the Internet and the World Wide Web. Thus, the university’s network is a part of the global network that provides access to information and information processing technologies. By having access to the university’s network and its resources, students, faculty, and staff can communicate and collaborate among themselves and their counterparts throughout the world. This privilege carries with it responsibilities with which all users must comply.

Everyone within the ETSU community who uses networked computing and communications facilities has the responsibility to use them in an ethical, professional and legal manner, and to abide by TECnet policies. Users should respect the privacy rights of others. ETSU’s facilities and network access capabilities should never be used for purposes intended to incite crime. Communications which violate Tennessee, federal, or international law are not acceptable. For example, the use of ETSU’s computer and network resources to threaten or harass others or the misrepresentation of one’s identity in electronic communications for the purpose of illegal or unauthorized actions or activities will not be tolerated.

These statements concerning responsibility are not meant to be exhaustive. Any questionable use should be considered “not acceptable.” Serious or repeated instances of abuse will be referred to the proper authority for disciplinary or legal action.

**WARNING** Any person who knowingly brings on campus, has in their possession or distributes any virus without the authorization and written permission of the Division of Information Resources, will be considered to be in violation of the above and will be vigorously prosecuted. **Campus** is defined to include any property owned, leased, maintained or controlled by ETSU and includes any site or area where any system owned, leased, operated and/or maintained by ETSU is housed.

NOTICE TO USERS: It is the policy of East Tennessee State University to protect all institutional computing resources including, but not limited to, hardware and software, consisting of the actual equipment being supplied by the university as well as the programs and related materials used in conjunction therewith. In accordance with local, state, and federal law, indiscriminate examination of individual user’s files is not permitted, nonetheless as a means of maintaining the integrity and security of those aforementioned resources.

East Tennessee State University retains the right to inspect individual accounts and files stored on any system owned, maintained and/or leased by said university. While no prior authorization by individual users is required to inspect those files and accounts, the user is, by virtue of accepting the account offered by ETSU and “logging” on to its computing equipment, granting to the university prior unrestricted permission, subject to university policy, to review, examine and/or otherwise view, by any method at the sole discretion of the university and without any additional advance notice to said user, any account and/or file stored on university computer resources.

Should such a review take place, the user will be given notice, as a courtesy only, of the results of said review within a reasonable time after the review is completed. While use of university computing resources for personal use is strictly forbidden, should the user have materials for which he/she has any reasonable expectation of privacy or which the user considers to be confidential for any reason, the user should retain those materials on a disk which can be secured as would any other personal items or materials which one consider private in nature.

For such a policy to work, it is essential that users observe responsible and ethical behavior in the use of the resources. In an effort to assist the user community in effective use of the limited computer resources, it seems reasonable to highlight some specific responsibilities and types of behavior that represent abuse of a user’s privilege. The examples do not constitute a complete list but are intended to convey the intent of the code.

Users should not damage or attempt to damage computer equipment or to modify or attempt to modify equipment so that it does not function as originally intended. It is equally wrong to damage or modify or attempt to damage or modify the software components: operating systems, compilers, utility routines, etc.

Users should not use or attempt to use an account without authorization from the owner of that account. Users have the responsibility of protecting their accounts through the proper use of passwords, but the fact that an account is unprotected does not imply permission for an unauthorized person to use it. Further, accounts are to be used only for the purposes for which they have been established. [Only the individual owner of an account is authorized to use that account. Providing passwords or in any way permitting or making it possible for anyone other than the authorized owner of the account to use computer resources is not authorized and may be a violation of Tennessee Law. Under this condition both the owner and the unauthorized user may be subject to legal action if determined to be appropriate by ETSU legal counsel.] Additionally, it is wrong to use a university-sponsored account for funded research, personal business, or consulting activities. There are special accounts for such purposes.

Users should not use private files without authorization. Owners of such files should take precautions and use the security mechanisms available. However, the fact that a file is not protected does not make it right for anyone to access it, unless it is specifically designed as a public access file. It is equally wrong for anyone to change or delete a file that belongs to anyone else without authorization. Violation of property rights and copyrights covering data, computer programs, and documentation is also wrong. In the event of accidental access of private files, confidentiality of those files must be maintained.

Any deliberate wasteful use of resources is irresponsible; it encroaches on others’ use of facilities and deprives them of resources. Printing of large unnecessary listings and the playing of games solely for entertainment are examples of such abuse. Users are expected to be aware of the resources they are using and to make reasonable efforts to use these resources efficiently.

All state and federal copyright laws will be abided by at all times. Users must not copy any part of a copyrighted program or its documentation which would be in violation of the law or the licensing agreement without written and specific permissions of the copyright holder.

Serious or repeated instances of abuse of computer facilities and resources will be referred to the proper authorities for disciplinary or legal action including, but not limited to, restitution, restrictions, reprimand, suspension, probation, expulsion, or termination.