The following is an outline of the rules for the use of electronic mail at UNSW and is by no means the complete policy.

For the complete policy, refer to the UNSW Email Policy (2004) [pdf].

Requirement to Use
All students are expected to read their official email. All students have a central email address of the form z1234567 where “1234567” is the student number. It is a requirement that all students read email that is sent to this address, as it may contain vital administrative or teaching material not provided any other way. If a student uses an email account other than the centrally provided zMail account, the student must arrange to forward zMail to an account that they do use. The IT Service Centre can provide information on how to forward email.

Unsuitable Material
The zMail system should not be used to:

1. Send material which is offensive. In particular material which is pornographic, racist, sexist or in other ways in breach of the University equity policies is not allowed.


2. Send material which is for commercial purposes. Email can, of course, be used for minor personal transactions such as selling a textbook, but not to, say, advertise for a company.

Recipients
The zMail system should not be used to:

1. Send material to an indiscriminate set of recipients. For example it is unacceptable to attempt to send mail to "all students" or other large groups inside or outside the University. It is only acceptable to send mail to strangers to make initial contact and if there is a reasonable chance that they will be interested in the message. Thus, for example, sending mail about an assignment to your tutorial groups, or contacting a lecturer about a course would be acceptable. However, mailing your tutorial group about your political views would not be acceptable. Such indiscriminate usage is often referred to as "spamming" and is not permitted.


2. Send material to individuals in such a way as to constitute harassment. Sending messages to individuals who have made it clear that they do not want to communicate with you is harassment. Sending messages which are personally offensive (such as containing insulting language or sexual advances) is not permissible.

Privacy
Email messages are just as private as ordinary mail. However, the recipient of a message is not automatically bound to conceal that message. You should not:

1. attempt to access someone else's email.


2. pass on email that you accidentally become aware of.

Honesty
Email from you will only be identified by your student number. However, most people will not be aware of your student number. It is important that you identify yourself by name as well as number, therefore:

All email must contain the true name of the sender either as part of the header or in the body of the message. It is not acceptable to only use a pseudonym, nickname or someone else's name. It is not acceptable to send mail under someone else's student number.

The University reserves the right to:

1. Suspend a user's email account where they are considered to be in breach of this Email Policy. Such a suspension may be temporary or permanent depending on the severity and frequency of breaches. Offenders may also be in breach of the University Student Misconduct Rules which can carry penalties of suspension and fines. In all but the most severe cases a warning will be issued before an account is suspended. Reasonable judgment will be applied in assessing such issues as harassment. Matters may be referred to other appropriate organisations within the University for their opinion.


2. A limit is set for the size of mail messages which are retained on the mail server. Furthermore, the email system will notify users if such limits become necessary to ensure a fair availability of the service to all students. The University will not examine any person's email except:
   
   • when attempting to locate faults in the email system.
   • when investigating suspected misuse of the email system.

The University will maintain the confidentiality of any mail so examined unless it is legally obliged not to. If you are aware of breaches of these rules, and in particular, if you are the recipient of unacceptable email messages, please report your problems to the IT Service Centre Manager. All such reports will be treated in confidence.

Please report ALL other problems to the IT Service Centre either in person or Tel: 02 9385 1333

See also: A-Z Student Guide Academic Misconduct Rules