• General Policies
• Access
• Borrowing
• Collection Development
• Federal Depository
• Library LawReference
• Privacy

Library Confidentiality and Privacy Policy

In general, the University will treat information stored on computers as confidential (whether or not that information is protected by the computer system). Requests for disclosure of information will be honored only under one of the following conditions:

• when approved by the appropriate University officials or the head of the department involved;
• when authorized by the owners of the information;
• when required by local, state or federal law.

Requests for disclosure of any information must be made in writing. The request must include explanation of the specific information sought: requests for all information belonging to an individual are not generally required, but will be honored if authorized by the appropriate University official.

In any case involving campus (Public Safety), local, state, or federal law enforcement investigation, the Manager of Public Safety or the Assistant Manager of Public Safety may request and authorize disclosure of information.

Except when inappropriate, computer users will receive notice of such disclosures, including a copy of the written request for disclosure.

Viewing of information in the course of normal system maintenance does not constitute disclosure.

 

This statement is excerpted from the Seattle University Computer Acceptable Use Policy (Rev., 1997).