As
a student at Penn State you have many resources to help protect your privacy,
your personal computer, and your good standing at the University.
With the dangers from malicious software and network attacks growing more menacing each day, it is essential that we all work together to ensure a secure computing environment. Make sure to protect yourself and your computer by reading the information, watching the security videos, and following the steps outlined at the University's Be Safe site. Software available for download can help you protect your computer from viruses, spyware and other threats.
I also want to remind you that respect for copyright and intellectual property are important aspects of academic integrity. Academic dishonesty can have serious implications for your future employment opportunities. You can learn how to use other people's materials appropriately at the Copyright Perspectives Web site.
Although it may seem easy to obtain music, movies, and other materials while surfing the net, you must be absolutely certain that the items you wish to download can be acquired legally. I'm writing to you as a matter of federal law. The unauthorized downloading of copyrighted material is against federal and state laws—and is a violation of University policy. Penn State is obligated to respond to reports of such violations. See our list of popular legal media sources for options.
Learn more about your responsibilities by browsing the information presented on these pages. I wish you a great academic year, and urge you to stay safe—and stay legal.
Sincerely,
Rodney A. Erickson
Executive Vice President and Provost of the University