World Wide Web Policies &
Procedures

I. General Statement

The World Wide Web (the "Web") offers the New York University ("NYU") community rich resources for advancing teaching and research. Individuals can retrieve materials for use in their classes and scholarly activities as well as present materials for use by others. NYU supports the rights of students and faculty to create and receive educational information available through the Web, in keeping with its principles of academic and intellectual freedom.

Access to the Web is made available to the students, faculty and eligible staff of NYU as part of the educational computing and networking resources of NYU. Such resources and the ability to create a Web home page that is either linked to the official NYUHome pages or posted using NYU computer facilities are privileges extended to members of the NYU community, within the available resources of NYU, and must be exercised in conformity with all applicable NYU policies and procedures and all applicable federal and state laws.

If any person has any doubt as to the applicability of the policies and procedures referred to herein, such person should contact webteam@nyu.edu before taking any action. Persons who do not want their Web activities to be restricted by the policies and procedures contained in this document, are advised to contact commercial Internet service providers.

II. NYU Policies Concerning Use of Computer Facilities and Creation of Web Pages

NYU is a nonprofit educational institution and the use of its facilities, including computer facilities, is limited to the educational and other nonprofit purposes of its students, faculty and eligible staff. Accordingly, Web pages may be created and posted only for the educational and research purposes of the NYU community. No person may include in a Web page any advertising materials or other materials relating to business or commercial activities of such person or any third person. The content of any Web page and its compliance with applicable policy and law is the sole responsibility of the author.

At any point in time, there are likely to be various federal and state laws that impose civil and/or criminal liability for computer network transmission of certain types of materials or messages. Currently, such laws restrict or prohibit transmission of, among other things, obscene materials to minors and child pornography, and messages or materials that constitute libel or harassment.

Creation of Web pages for educational and research purposes may involve incorporation of original works of third parties (e.g. literature, photographs, music, software, film, and video works) that are covered by copyright laws. Web page authors are encouraged to obtain all permissions that may be necessary to incorporate works of third parties in their Web page. Use of such works may be permitted by principles of fair use, consistent with the copyright laws.

No person may use the name "NYU" or "New York University," the name of any school of NYU or any logo or trademark of NYU without first obtaining written permission from NYU's Office of Web Communications. It is permissible, however, for a Web page author to identify himself or herself as a student, faculty or staff member of NYU, as appropriate.

III. Other Policies

In addition to the policies set forth in this document, each person using NYU's computer and network facilities shall also comply with the policies contained in the Responsibilities of All New York University Computer and Network Users, Faculty Guide to Libraries & ITS, and the University Policies and Procedures set forth in The Student's Guide to NYU.

NYU receives its Internet access from NYSERNet, and any network activity that leaves NYU's network destined for the Internet, including the posting of all Web pages, is bound by any policies of NYSERNet. In the event of an inconsistency between NYU's policy and those of NYSERNet, the more restrictive policy shall be observed.

NYU does not routinely monitor or edit the content of Web pages. However, in the event that NYU becomes aware of a violation of NYU policy or law that involves a Web page, NYU reserves the right to remove the Web page, restrict access to such page or take other action as deemed appropriate by NYU. Any such violation may also lead to disciplinary action in accordance with NYU rules and procedures, and referral to local, state and federal law enforcement authorities.

THIS DOCUMENT DOES NOT DISCUSS ALL APPLICABLE LAWS NOR SHOULD IT BE INTERPRETED AS PROVIDING LEGAL ADVICE. EACH WEB PAGE AUTHOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR COMPLYING WITH ALL APPLICABLE LAWS WITH RESPECT TO HIS OR HER WEB PAGE.

For more information about creating personal Web pages, read the NYU Web Guide. Any questions concerning this policy should be directed to webteam@nyu.edu.

All contents copyright
© New York University
All rights reserved
Page last revised: November, 1998
Page last reviewed: August 22, 2006 for URL updates

Addendum to the World Wide Web Policies & Procedures—March 16, 2007
Other NYU policies with which members of the NYU community should comply include:

• Policy on Responsible Use of NYU Computer and Data
• Policy on Personal Identification Numbers