Overview
Spamming is the practice of sending unsolicited, wasteful, and annoying email messages to a single user or group(s) of users (email lists). When determining whether a message is spam, the content of the message is not considered. It is the fact that the mail is unsolicited that determines that it is spam. Generally, most spam is commercial junk advertising; however, sending unwanted religious, racial, political, sexual, or even research-oriented messages are considered an act of spamming.
Email is a computer resource that is not to be abused. Many users in the UTK computing community use PCs and Macs to read their emails. Unsolicited email messages result in a loss of time downloading them and a waste of critical disk space on each individual's machine. The former statement also applies to OIT's computing resources.
Information about handling spam and quarantined messages in your UTK mailbox is available on the OIT Spam Notifications/Quarantine FAQ page.
Policies
Here are the policies regarding sending spam email at UTK:
- Using OIT computers for spamming purposes is an unacceptable use of those machines. Spamming wastes resources and interferes with the work of others.
- A first-time offender caught spamming from an OIT computer account will have their account disabled. To reactivate the account, the offender will have to work with HelpDesk staff in person.
- Repeated abuse of OIT computers by spamming will again result in a disabled account with the matter turned over to Student Conduct and Community Standards in the case of students. Faculty and staff offenders will have their accounts disabled and reported to their Department Heads or Directors. This is an annoyance to all users and will not be tolerated.
An individual's use of OIT services, including but not limited to computers, email, and the UT network, is governed by the Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources policy.
Under "User Prohibited Activities" 9. h.:
Use of the university's information technology resources to transmit abusive, threatening, or harassing material, chain letters, spam, or communications prohibited by state or federal laws is prohibited under this policy;
Should you have any questions or comments on this policy, please call the OIT HelpDesk at (865) 974-9900 or contact the HelpDesk online.