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F/1.1 Provision and use of information resources and services

Chapters
A - Governance/Organisation
B - Human Resources
C - Teaching/Learning
D - Research/Development
E - Student Administration
F - Information Management
G - Financial Management
H - Physical Facilities
I - International/Community
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Contact Officer

Executive Officer - Division of Technology, Information and Learning Support

Approval Date

07/06/2006

Approval Authority

Vice-Chancellor

Date of Next Review

01/07/2009

1.1.1 Framework for allocation of information resources and services
1.1.2 Use of QUT information resources and services
1.1.3 Responsibilities relating to provision of information resources and services
1.1.4 Approved defined roles
1.1.5 Acquisition of information technology and software licensing agreements
Related Documents
Modification History

1.1.1 Framework for allocation of information resources and services

The University provides students and staff with information resources and services to assist them in achieving their teaching, learning, research and community service goals. This commitment includes access to a range of print and electronic information resources and services provided through the University's information technology infrastructure and the QUT Library.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that information technology and resources are aligned with its business and deliver value to the organisation through the appropriate allocation of resources, adequate assessment of security and mitigation of risk. Performance on information management activities should be measurable.

To appropriately allocate these resources, and address security and other risks, the University has established a process by which access to corporate physical and virtual information resources and infrastructure is granted.

Provision of information resources and services by faculties and divisions is outlined in individual Client Charters which specify service standards.

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1.1.2 Use of QUT information resources and services

With the rapid development of academic and research networks in Australia and internationally, staff and students of the University have ever-increasing communications capability. This capability brings with it certain responsibilities and QUT has adopted rules for the use of information facilities (see Appendix 1(c) ).  In particular, Schedule 1 (Acceptable Use of Information Facilities) of the Information Facilities Rules aims to promote ethical and responsible use of the University's information facilities and applies to all staff and students.

Information systems provided by the University, whether within faculties or divisions, may only be used in support of QUT's teaching, research, administration and service activities.

QUT's commitment to professionalism, ethical practices, equity and social accountability implies a duty of care in relation to the use of information resources. Finite resources are applied to information facilities, and their use for University purposes must not be diminished by use for other purposes. QUT also has a continuing concern with its image and reputation, including that which is conveyed on information networks. Therefore, QUT is committed to procedures which:

  • monitor the quality of information on computer networks
  • make QUT users aware of University policy on the use of information resources
  • lead to action arising from such monitoring through divisional or faculty channels as appropriate. Misuse by students is dealt with under the appropriate University Statutes and Rules (see Appendix 1(b) and Appendix 1(c) ). Misuse by staff is dealt with through performance management and/or staff misconduct processes, depending on the nature of the breach in question.

QUT routinely logs network activity and may use this information to investigate faults, security breaches and unlawful activity (see F/1.2.7 ).

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1.1.3 Responsibilities relating to provision of information resources and services

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Technology, Information and Learning Support)

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Technology, Information and Learning Support) is responsible for the provision of information resources and services to the University community. The Division of Technology, Information and Learning Support provides central support for the academic functions of QUT faculties, and technological support for communication and administration within all areas of the University.

Information Technology Governance Committee

Information Technology Governance Committee is responsible to the Vice-Chancellor for monitoring and reviewing University direction and strategic deployment of information technology infrastructure. Full details of the Committee's terms of reference and membership are found in F/1.7 .

Data custodians

Whilst QUT owns the data in the information systems used to support the University's business processes, a nominated data custodian has primary responsibility for the management and control of data sourced from their business area. Data custodians are senior managers responsible for:

  • data quality - accuracy, integrity, cleanliness, correctness, completeness, consistency and timeliness;
  • data security - control of access to data sets to known individuals, and monitoring of the data's subsequent exposure as it flows through the University systems and records;
  • data standards - ensuring compliance with relevant laws, government and regulatory standards and any policies and standards imposed internally;
  • data management - definition of the authoritative source of data and of the data to be provided from that source, and ensuring that duplication of data is kept to a minimum.

Data custodians are expected to monitor and evaluate business processes to ensure that these are consistent with best practice principles for data management, and are responsible for approval of the 'rules' which are used to determine user access to information resources and services (though this approval can be delegated to another officer in the business area).

Further information on the role and responsibilities of data custodians can be found in guidelines approved by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Technology, Information and Learning Support).

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1.1.4 Approved defined roles

QUT allocates access to information services and resources based on approved defined roles. These roles determine the services and resources which a user may access. Any new categories of users or roles are determined in accordance with QUT's provisioning guidelines approved by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Technology, Information and Learning Support).

A data custodian (or delegate), in determining approved defined roles and consequential access to services or resources, must take into account business needs and risks, information security and privacy requirements (refer to F/1.2 and F/9.1 for further details) and other relevant matters such as technical requirements and constraints.

The following persons are entitled to use a range of information resources and services based on their approved defined role, provided that they abide by the Information Facilities Rules , this policy and authentication requirements:

  1. enrolled students;
  2. employees of QUT;
  3. members of QUT Council;
  4. community partners;
  5. members of institutes;
  6. approved other users (ie categories of users as approved in accordance with QUT's provisioning guidelines).

Rights to use the information resources and services of the University are non-transferable, unless specifically authorised by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Technology, Information and Learning Support).

The University permits members of the public to use physical resources such as the QUT Library, including the on-line library catalogue. The University may also permit use of information technology systems and facilities by members of the public subject to the provisions of the Telecommunications Act 1997 (Cwth).

The University may apply charges for use of information resources and services in accordance with its user charging policy (see G/8.1 ), and fees designated under the Information Facilities Rules (see Appendix 1(c) ).

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1.1.5 Acquisition of information technology and software licensing agreements

The provision of information resources and services requires the acquisition of information technology hardware and software and the development of significant infrastructure. Expenditure of funds on information technology acquisition should be aligned with QUT's planning processes and priorities, including the Asset Management Plan, and should be consistent with policies and procedures relating to information technology and purchasing.

In addition, acquisitions of information technology and software licences must be considered in the broader context of QUT's information technology deployment, to determine any significant implications raised by the acquisition. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Technology, Information and Learning Support) is responsible for the development of protocols to enable the assessment of any broader implications of an acquisition to be undertaken by relevant staff of the Division in conjunction with the area proposing the acquisition. Where necessary, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Technology, Information and Learning Support) may specify that the project to which the acquisition relates must be added to the Information Technology Project Register, to address risk and to ensure that the project to which the acquisition relates is managed appropriately.

Subject to compliance with the above, acquisitions may be approved by relevant officers up to the officer's expenditure limit. For further details refer to Appendix 3 Schedule of Authorities and Delegations .

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Related Documents

Telecommunications Act (Cwth) 1997

MOPP Appendix 1(c) - Information Facilities Rules

MOPP F /1.2 Information systems security policy

MOPP F/9.1 Privacy policy

MOPP G/8.1 User charging policy

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Modification History

Date

Sections

Source

Details

19.03.08

F/1.1.2

Vice-Chancellor

Revised policy to include reference to Schedule 1 of Information Facilities Rules as policy applying to all staff and students, and to indicate that QUT routinely logs network activity (incorporates former policy B/8.7 Acceptable Use of Information Facilities)

08.06.07

F/1.1.5

Vice-Chancellor

New policy relating to acquisition of information technology and software licensing agreements, consistent with amendment to Schedule of Authorities and Delegations (endorsed by Vice-Chancellor’s Advisory Committee 04.04.07)

07.06.06

All

Vice-Chancellor

Revised policy (removed references to library resources - now in new policy F/1.8, amended references to resource provision roles and responsibilities) (endorsed by Information Technology Advisory Committee 19.04.06)

07.10.04

F/1.1.3

Secretariat

Editorial (revised committee name - Information Technology Advisory Committee, approved by Vice-Chancellor 07.10.04)

08.07.04

F/1.1.3

Secretariat

Editorial (deleted reference to Information Technology Strategic Governance Committee, disbanded June 2004, and replaced with reference to new Information Technology and Library Resources Committee)

15.01.04

All

Vice-Chancellor

New policy; replaces I/2.1 and I/2.4

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