Tufts University has recently implemented its next generation Responsible Use Policy. University Information Technology recently announced the new Information Stewardship Policy and three supporting information policies. These policies will officially replace the Responsible Use Policy on May 7th. UIT has also provided a synopsis and a PDF version of each policy.
The Information Stewardship Policy is supported by the
- Use of Institutional Systems Policy
- Information Classification and Handling Policy
- Information Roles and Responsibilities Policy
The new Information Stewardship Policy and the three supporting policies provide a policy framework for managing information and developing other information policies that are specific to an administrative unit (school, division, or department) or to an information system/tool (such as email or mobil devices). The policy framework provides a structure and syntax that gives managers the flexibility to develop information and IT policies that meet the needs of a particular system or administrative unit while enabling connections to terminology and frameworks common to the entire University. The Information Stewardship Policy and three supporting policies also allow other information policies to speak a common language and logically “hang together” as a broader information policy framework.
The people who really need to read all four of these policies in full are those involved in information governance and information policy management. The vast majority of faculty, staff, and students who just want to know what they should and shouldn't be doing with information and IT resources at Tufts can focus on the summary of all four policies at http://uit.tufts.edu/?pid=786.
The new Information Stewardship Policy and three supporting policies do not substantively change anyone's rights concerning their use of information and/or IT resources at Tufts. Implementing these policies is about updating policy language and, most importantly, about establishing an information policy framework. The new policies do not shift the balance of rights between the individual and the institution.
If you have questions about the policies you can send a message to infopolicy@tufts.edu.