Anti-Spam Notices and Procedures

No Spam Policy, Enforcement and Appeal Procedure

(As Required by the Texas Anti-Spam Act)

Unsolicited e-mail, commonly known as "spam," is prohibited on university computing and network resources. This prohibition does not apply to official university communications.

The Rules and Regulations of the Board of Regents of the University of Texas have the force of law and prohibit commercial and non-commercial solicitation. This includes e-mail, fax, telephone or other display, distribution or communication of solicitation materials on campus in any manner.

In addition to the general prohibition against solicitation, The University of Texas at Austin Acceptable Use Policy prohibits any person from using university computing and network resources for distribution of spam. Spam is defined as any unsolicited e-mail. For purposes of this policy, if the recipient did not ask for it, did not sign up on a mailing list and did not provide an e-mail address on a Web form specifically asking for information related to the content of the e-mail message, it is considered spam.

Please note that the electronic transmission and distribution of this unsolicited e-mail may also violate the provisions of the Texas Anti Spam Act (Chapter 46 of the Texas Business and Commerce Code, effective September 1, 2003) as well as other applicable State and Federal laws Violations of these State and Federal laws can possibly result in e-mail blocking, civil damages and criminal penalties.

Enforcement and Dispute Resolution

1. A university official, including a network administrator, with responsibility for an electronic mail or computer network system, may block the access, receipt or transmission through the system, of electronic transmissions to or from a person, electronic mail address, domain or IP address that directly or indirectly caused spam to be transmitted or distributed using university computing and network resources in violation of a law or policy.
2. On written request of a person who has had access blocked for directly or indirectly causing spam to be transmitted or distributed using university computing and network resources, the Information Security Office (ISO) shall review a blocking decision. The ISO shall promptly investigate the request for review and issue a written determination within a reasonable time, not to exceed 20 working days from its receipt. A request for review must be in writing and must be received in the office of the Director of Information Security, MAI 2610, Mail Code G0900, One University Station, Austin Texas, 78712, and must contain a) a precise statement of the relevant facts; b) an identification of the issue or issues to be resolved; and, c) arguments and authorities in support of the protest.
3. A person may appeal an adverse decision of the ISO to the Vice President for Information Technology. An appeal of the ISO's determination must be in writing and must be received in the office of the Vice President for Information Technology, FAC 248, Mail Code G9800, One University Station, Austin, Texas 78712, no later than 10 working days after the date of the ISO's determination. The Vice President will make a final decision on the matter within a reasonable time, not to exceed 20 working days from its receipt.

Last reviewed: January 20, 2004