Use of Zoom for University Business Prohibited

University's Policy on Use of Zoom

Dear St. Kate’s Community,

Over the past few weeks, the conferencing tool Zoom has been under attack by hackers and cyber criminals across the globe which I am sure many of you have read about, and hopefully none of you have experienced. These attacks include the injection of explicit sexual or racial content into meetings as well as the theft of personal information. This type of content and risk not only goes against our technology policies, but is deeply offensive at every level to our St. Catherine University values.

University Use of Zoom Prohibited

As the details of the attacks and level of risk have become clearer, we have decided that 
St. Catherine University will not support the use of this tool for conducting University business. We know that many of you have used this to keep in contact with your friends and family, however it is simply not something that we can continue to use in the way it has been used. 

Thus, beginning today, all uses of Zoom to conduct University business (e.g. classes, meetings, tutorials, events) are prohibited UNLESS you have an approved exception from Information Technology and are able to take the required actions to be granted an exception. This transition to eliminate the use of Zoom begins immediately with the goal of a full migration off the tool within a week's time. 

Our position and these actions to no longer use Zoom align with those taken by many other institutions across the globe after the FBI issued a warning to Zoom and Industries. Bans have started to be put in place across the finance industry, government (Pentagon, Senate, military, local governments), countries (Germany, Taiwan, U.S. for official business by Pentagon, Senate, Military, local governments), schools (many colleges, universities, and local school districts, even the largest public school system New York City Public Schools), and major businesses (Siemens -the largest industrial manufacturing company in Europe, SpaceX, etc.). Other organizations are starting to follow suit.

Exceptions for Using Zoom

Those receiving an exception will receive specific details with the required safety actions to use this tool. If you feel you need an exception, you can submit an IT Request or Coronavirus Technology Request within ServiceNow for consideration. Examples of exceptions include the following specific uses only:

  • Admission events for prospective students with organized breakouts of non-student participants.

  • Alumni Relations events with structured breakout groups of non-student participants.
  • CATIE Center work with deaf participants.


Zoom is NOT approved for anything else.

External Zoom Invites

If you are invited to a Zoom meeting from an outside party, it is acceptable to attend the meeting. Please  be aware that the video, chat content, and your email may be compromised so be very  cautious of your environment  and minimize the information you share.  Additionally, do not connect from Facebook or post to Facebook as this may expose you to further risk from hackers. If you should experience any of these issues, it is advised you disconnect from the meeting as soon as possible.

Approved Technology Tools 

For details on the use of our approved virtual and conferencing tools, visit ServiceNow from the website Student or Faculty/Staff pages to find these self-help guides and other self-help materials:

Recommended for most meetings and gatherings:


*St. Catherine University has an Education License and our own secure domain, providing the strongest levels of security

Recommended for advanced features generally needed in a classroom or facilitated session:

If you have questions, please contact Information Technology at informationtech@stkate.edu. 

We so appreciate your understanding, patience, and help to manage through this situation. The entire Information Technology team is deeply grateful for all of your encouragement and support through all we are learning together.

Thank you again,

Jean Guezmir
Chief Information Officer and Vice President 

Resources

Employee Technology Tips and Resources for Working Remotely

Technology FAQ for Classes and Academics

Media Coverage of Zoom Security Issues