Cellular Telephone Use Advisory

Cellular telephones are provided by the University to help you carry out your responsibilities to the University; they are not provided for personal use. Occasional and incidental personal use is permitted, provided that it does not interfere with your responsibilities and the University is reimbursed for personal use.

The manner in which you use a cellular telephone can cause or contribute to accidents, improper disclosure of confidential information, and annoyance to those in your presence. The following principles should guide your usage of this University-provided equipment.

Driving: The use of a cellular telephone while driving is discouraged. If you must use the cellular telephone while operating a motor vehicle, you should stop the vehicle in a safe place before using the phone. If you must use the telephone on a regular basis while driving, you should arrange to have installed a “hands free” kit or adapter that permits you to keep both hands free to operate the vehicle while speaking on the phone. However, even use of a “hands free” kit can contribute to an accident if you have to take your eyes off the road to dial or otherwise operate the telephone. Therefore, you should stop the car in a safe place while you dial, look up a number, take notes, or perform any other task that interferes with your driving. If you are stuck in traffic and need to make a notification call, dial the numbers in short sequences when not moving and make maximum use of the memory dial and auto redial features. Conversations should end when encountering hazardous driving conditions.

Certain towns have enacted ordinances banning the use of cellular telephones while driving. The University expects all drivers to be in compliance when driving within such towns.

Confidentiality: Do not discuss confidential matters in any place where unauthorized individuals can hear your conversation. It is a violation of University policy to disclose confidential information or permit its disclosure to third parties. Moreover, it reflects poorly on you, as a representative of the University, if you appear to be unconcerned about confidentiality. Although current technology may effectively prevent the interception of digital cellular telephone calls, what you say can be heard by people who are around you.

Using the phone in public places: When you use a cellular phone in the presence of others, even a non-confidential call can be annoying. Please be considerate of the people around you when you use a cellular phone.