I'm not saying we
should restrict personal devices or personal use; I'm just pointing
out that an expectation of privacy with employer equipment is at best
misguided. With the mechanic's tools example I would not expect to
own a personal tool; at the same time, I would expect to own the
product of those tools when they were used to accomplish a work task.
The same with the university phone stipend - personal calls on a
personal phone are none of my concern, but I would indeed be expected
to subpoena you in any kind of legal proceeding.
I think the general
point we've all been making is that our email at work can't always
be considered private, even with personal messages sent over it -
and that allowing former employees to take it with them completely
unrestricted may not be a great idea.
Several points and clarifications I'd like to add to this
discussion. The Appropriate Use....of E-mail clearly
states that the primary purpose of issued accounts is not for
private/personal use, but neither is that prohibited. They are clearly
provided for employees to do their job.
Retirees do keep their accounts, as Linda Losik mentioned.
I don't know as much guidance has been provided on handling the
email of someone who retires or otherwise separates from employment. I
would think that MSU has a "right" to retain work-related
email and remove it from the former employee's "possession".
How best to do that?? I don't know....
Re: Personal use - Based in part on the issued policy, and
more-so on case law that holds that email on an employer's system is
the property of the employer and that there is NO expectation or right
to privacy, unions such as the APA recommend that members use a
non-MSU service for their private, personal emails. For most of
what we do as employees, the expectation of privacy is probably
neither here nor there. But the best practice is to keep truly
personal stuff off any employer's email service.
As another user mentioned, we don't allow purchase of additional
accounts except by department charge, which inherently means the
account is intended for business purposes.
And Nick, as far as doing business using off-site
servers/services, the caution there is regarding "Sensitive
Data". I'd advise reviewing the various statements and
guidances at http://lct.msu.edu/guidelines-policies/#msd and
proceeding accordingly.
--
Leo Sell
ATS Help Desk
Michigan State University
517-432-6200
help.msu.edu