E-mail Usage Policy
*****DRAFT - SUBJECT TO RATIFICATION*******
There is an expanding reliance on electronic communication among students, faculty, staff, and administration at the University of Lagos. This is motivated by the convenience, speed, cost-effectiveness, and environmental advantages of using e-mail rather than printed communication. Because of this increasing reliance and acceptance of electronic communication, e-mail is considered an official means for communication within Unilag.
Implementation of this policy ensures that staff and students have access to this critical form of communication.
B. Scope
This e-mail policy provides guidelines regarding the following aspects of e-mail as an official means of communication:
* University use of e-mail;
* Assignment of student e-mail addresses;
* Assignment of student e-mail addresses;
* Student use of and responsibilities associated with assigned e-mail addresses; and
* Expectations of e-mail communication between faculty and student and staff and student.
C. Policy
1. University use of e-mail
E-mail is an official means for communication within Unilag. Therefore, the University has the right to send communications to students via e-mail and the right to expect that those communications will be received and read in a timely fashion.
2. Assignment of student e-mail addresses
Center for Information Technology and Systems (CITS) will assign all students an official University e-mail address. It is to this official address that the University will send e-mail communications; this official address will be the address listed in the University's Enterprise Directory for that student.
3. Redirecting of e-mail
A student may have e-mail electronically redirected to another e-mail address. If a student wishes to have e-mail redirected from his or her official address to another e-mail address (e.g., @aol.com, @hotmail.com, or an address on a departmental server), they may do so, but at his or her own risk. The University will not be responsible for the handling of e-mail by outside vendors or by departmental servers. Having e-mail redirected does not absolve a student from the responsibilities associated with communication sent to his or her official e-mail address.
4. Expectations regarding student use of e-mail
Students are expected to check their official e-mail address on a frequent and consistent basis in order to stay current with University communications. The campus recommends checking e-mail once a week at a minimum, in recognition that certain communications may be time-critical.
5. Educational uses of e-mail
Faculty may determine how e-mail will be used in their classes. It is highly recommended that if faculty have e-mail requirements and expectations they specify these requirements in their course syllabus. Faculty may expect that students' official e-mail addresses are being accessed, and faculty may use e-mail for their courses accordingly.
6. Appropriate use of student e-mail
In general, e-mail is not appropriate for transmitting sensitive or confidential information unless its use for such purposes is matched by an appropriate level of security.
* All use of e-mail, including use for sensitive or confidential information, will be consistent with the Administrative Policy Statement on Use of Electronic E-mail.
* E-mail shall not be the sole method for notification of any legal action.
D. Procedures
E. References
This policy complies with the guidelines as found in:
F. Responsible Organization
Appendix A -- Policy Routing