CITS                                                Samuel B. Trickey
UF Request for Comments: 9                                           
Council Endorsement: 22 Feb. 1996                   First Submission:
OITS Adopted: 22 Feb. 1996                Last Revision: 22 Feb. 1996

TITLE: Policies and Directions for Use of UF Access to the
Internet

STATUS OF DRAFT:
As of 22 Feb. 1996, this version is a rewording (to achieve
simpler language and incorporate advice of the Office of
University General Counsel) of the draft endorsed by the
Council on Information Technologies and Services on 8 June
1995.  This revision was re-endorsed by the Council on 22
Feb. 1996 and adopted by the Office of Information
Technologies and Services the same date.

ABSTRACT:
This document describes policies and preferred practices for
commercial, quasi- commercial, and similar uses of access to
the Internet provided by UF. Pure commercial activity is
proscribed.  Activity by commercial enterprises, not-for-
profits, non-profits, and Direct Service Organizations is
allowed subject to tests of UF involvement.  Advertising is
treated explicitly.  A distinction is drawn throughout
between the ".ufl.edu" domain name and the underlying
Internet resources (assigned network number blocks,
bandwidth, access devices, support etc.).  Availability of
".ufl.com" and/or "ufl.org" domains is outlined.

1. BASIC POLICY

On the basis of deliberation and endorsement by the Council
on Information Technologies and Services ("the Council") and
its Standing Committees, the Office of Information
Technologies and Services has adopted the following policy:
     Commercial access to the Internet through UF's
   Internet resources (assigned network number blocks,
   bandwidth, access devices, etc.) is not permitted except
   as noted in subsequent parts of this UFRFC.  Purely
   commercial use of the domain name "ufl.edu" is not
   permitted.

The underlying rationale for this policy is the prohibition
on use of state property for private gain.
2. POLICY ON ENTERPRISES OF MIXED ACADEMIC AND COMMERCIAL
NATURE

The University engages in many important activities which do
not categorize neatly and purely according to common
perceptions of "academic" versus "commercial."  Examples
might include:
  Direct Service Organizations ("DSO's")
  non-profit and/or not-for-profit corporations
  cooperative projects with commercial enterprises.
For brevity, such activities will be called "mixed
enterprises" in this UFRFC.

Proper support of mixed enterprises with regard to Internet
access requires an extension of the basic policy, to wit:
     Access to UF's Internet resources (assigned network
   number blocks, bandwidth, access devices, etc.) and use
   of the "ufl.edu" domain signature are permitted to those
   mixed enterprises in which UF has a "formally recognized
   involvement" as defined below.
     Before beginning to use such access, the Dean (or
   equivalently ranked University administrator) who has
   responsibility for the particular mixed enterprise shall
   notify the Office of Information Technologies and
   Services of the formally recognized involvement.
     If provision of Internet access to a specific mixed
   enterprises causes additional costs to UF (e.g.
   licensure fees required by the Internet access provider
   used by UF), UF may, at its option, require the mixed
   enterprise to bear all or part of those additional
   costs.

Interpretations:
 a) For a mixed enterprise to have a "formally recognized
involvement," it must have at least one of the following
essential characteristics, as follows:
   A DSO relationship with UF
   or
   A contract or award for commercially funded research
   and/or development at UF.
Technology transfer enterprises formed via contract with UF,
as an example, fall in the second category.
 b) The simple fact of consulting for a commercial firm does
NOT constitute a "formally recognized involvement."
Therefore such consulting, though a form of commercial
activity, is not a "mixed enterprise" in the sense of this
UFRFC.  Similarly, personal involvement by a university
employee with some commercial enterprise which is otherwise
unconnected with the University does not establish a
"formally recognized involvement."
 Normally such individual professional activities are
handled under existing University rules, for example as
embodied in the "Request to Use University Equipment,
Facilities, and Services" (UF Form OAA-GA-L-268).  As noted
therein, the use of UF resources in conjunction with such
activities is "allowed only on a non- interference basis,
and to the extent that added expenses are involved, there
may be a charge."  In the case of network asset usage, to
determine whether the test of non-interference is met and to
estimate potential charges, it is suggested that the
responsible administrator should consult the Director of
Network Services.

3.  ADVERTISING

The University finds it convenient to receive product data,
pricing, order information, etc., which may be construed as
advertising via the Internet.  The University also
advertises itself and many of its opportunities via the
Internet.  Those facts do not constitute justification for
origination and/or dissemination of purely commercial
advertising either by use of UF's Internet resources
(assigned network number blocks, bandwidth, access devices,
etc.) or by use of the "ufl.edu" domain signature or both.
UF students, staff, and faculty involved in enterprises
distinct from their UF role(s) are cautioned explicitly that
advertising of those other enterprises via UF's Internet
resources and/or the ufl.edu domain signature is prohibited.
(Advertising by mixed enterprises falls under the
stipulations of Section 2, above.)

4.  OTHER NETWORK IDENTITIES

The ordinary Internet standard is that domain names in the
USA which terminate in ".edu" are for academic enterprises.
Naming policies and Appropriate Usage policies for the
NSFnet and various regional networks have reinforced that
assumption for about a decade.  To make clear its various
roles in the modern world, the University has established
both a ".ufl.com" and ".ufl.org" domains.  For information
on use of these domains, contact Network Services.  Note
that the underlying UF Internet resources (assigned network
number blocks, bandwidth, access devices, etc.) could be
(and easily may be) the same as those used by holders of
".ufl.edu" domain records.  In such circumstances, the
distinction between ".ufl.edu" and ".ufl.com" is one of
identity, akin to trademarking, as well as clarity of role.

5.  THE AD HOC DRAFTING GROUP
Mike Conlon                   Susan McKinney
College of Liberal Arts &     Director of Records
Sciences                      Management
conlon@stat.ufl.edu           susmcki@nervm.nerdc.ufl.edu
                              
Ron Schoenau                  Sam Trickey
Northeast Regional Data       Office of Inform. Tech. &
Center                        Services
nerhs@nervm.nerdc.ufl.edu     super@nervm.nerdc.ufl.edu