UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH POLICY 06-03-03

CATEGORY:              HEALTH AND SAFETY

SECTION:                  Campus Security

SUBJECT:                 Harassment by Telecommunication

EFFECTIVE DATE:   January 30, 1992

PAGE(S):                   1

I.    SCOPE

      This policy establishes restrictions on the use of the University telecommunications

      systems, including telephones, telephone answering/recording devices, and facsimile (FAX)

      machines.

II.   POLICY 

      The use of University telecommunications systems to make or send fraudulent, unlawful,

      or abusive calls or messages is prohibited.  Faculty, staff, and students are to report any

      threatening, intimidating, or harassing telephone calls to the Department of Public Safety/

      Campus Security Office.

      The Department of Public Safety/Campus Security Office is responsible for recording

      complaints of alleged misuse of the University telecommunications systems, and for

      investigating such instances with the assistance of the Office of Telecommunications.  If

      the complainant should withdraw the complaint after the source of the harassment has

      been identified, the complainant may be liable for the University's cost of the investigation.

      Any faculty, staff, or student identified as the initiator of fraudulent, unlawful, or abusive

      calls or messages will be subject to disciplinary action as determined by the Office of the

      Provost, the Office of Human Resources, or the Office of the Coordinator of the University

      Student Judicial System, as appropriate.  In instances where harassing calls are identified

      as originating from outside the University, complaints will be filed with Bell of Pennsylvania

      or other appropriate telecommunications provider.

      Making or sending fraudulent, unlawful, or abusive calls or messages violates University

      policy and is a crime under both state and federal laws.  Violation of this policy may result

      in criminal charges and prosecution

III.  REFERENCE 

      Procedure 06-03-03, Harassment by Telecommunication