Overview

Description

2.1 Senate affirmed (27.11.75) the principle that University facilities must not be used for private purposes. In particular, it affirmed the rule that University materials, staff and equipment must not be used for such purposes. The internal mail services of the University have habitually been used by members of the University for a variety of communications and the University was concerned to assure freedom of communication. Where the services were not overloaded it was not unreasonable for them to be used for the free exchange of opinions, but the Vice-Chancellor was charged with the responsibility of ensuring that they were not overloaded by bulk distributions. Senders of mail should identify themselves on the outside of the envelope so that it would not be necessary to open mail to detect possible breaches of the use of University resource.

2.2 University materials or facilities are not to be used for non-University purposes except to the extent and in those cases where long-standing custom has resulted in a recognition of the propriety of the practice, e.g. it is recognised that it is not improper for a staff member to use the University internal mail service for individual private communications or the University mail room to facilitate the posting of properly stamped and addressed individual private mail. In particular, University materials or facilities are not to be used for such things as advertising, soliciting funds for outside purposes, electioneering or anything involving a public aspect or widespread distribution within the University not being a University purpose.

2.3 In general, University property is not to be sold except when the University no longer has any use for it and then only through the officers of the University having the duty of disposing of property in those circumstances. In no case is University paper, stationery or similar materials to be sold for use in advertising, soliciting funds for outside purposes, electioneering or any form of public distribution or widespread distribution within the University. If, for any reason, it is considered necessary in a special case to permit staff to purchase any University property for other purposes, the Head of the Department or Section must ensure that the appropriate sales tax is charged and arrangements made through the Bursar's Section for the University to account to the sales tax authorities for it.