Summary of the student computing code of conduct

This section summarises the guidelines in the student computing code of conduct. You can find the complete version from the Student Policies and Regulations section of the Help Centre.

https://help.open.ac.uk/ documents/ policies/ computing

At the time this document was last updated, it is titled "The Open University Student Computing Policy".

This code of conduct applies to student and affiliate users of all OU computing systems. There is a separate computing code of conduct for staff. By accessing the OU's computing systems, you agree to abide by this code. People who break this code of conduct may face OU disciplinary procedures, criminal procedures, or both.

The code can be summarised as follows:

1. The OU's computing resources are provided for educational, training and research purposes. You must not use them for any business or significant personal purposes.
2. You are responsible for all activities carried out under your username.
3. Your password must be in line with accepted good practice.
4. You must not jeopardise the integrity, performance or reliability of the OU's computing resources.
5. When you use the OU's computing resources you are expected to follow the same standards of behaviour that apply to more traditional media.
6. You must not interfere with information that belongs to another user.
7. You should not assume that any online or phone communications using the OU's resources are private. We may record these in case there is a complaint or a legal inquiry.
8. You must not copy software or information that does not belong to you without permission.
9. You must not use the OU's computing resources to create or distribute obscene, libellous, defamatory, malicious or illegal material.

You should read the full code to ensure that you understand the conditions that apply to you.