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The entire text of the BCC
Computer Labs Policy follows. If desired, use the links below to jump to the
identified section.
PURPOSE
Bellevue Community College
(BCC) provides students access to sophisticated computing technology resources
in numerous labs and computer classrooms across campus. Because the student
population on campus is very dynamic and diverse, it is imperative that careful
articulation of the policies, expectations, and standards for use of these
resources be provided to them, and to the BCC staff and faculty who support
those students in their educational endeavors. This policy is intended to meet
that imperative, and to provide all campus users with guidelines for responsible
and appropriate use of these campus computing and technology resources.
This
policy supplements the BCC Acceptable Use of State Resources Policy, the
Acceptable Use of the BCC Network and Data Management Systems Policy, and the
Acceptable Use of BCC Computers Policy. All of the tenets of those policies,
and any other applicable BCC policies, procedures, and/or standards apply to the
use of the assets defined in this policy. BCC, through its administrative
representatives, reserves the right to determine, at any time, what constitutes
appropriate use of BCC technology resources and the BCC network resources,
access and/or any computing services provided by BCC.
SCOPE
This
policy applies to all BCC employees, students and/or non-employees who may be
authorized to use any BCC Computer Labs, as defined by this policy. Individuals
will be notified in writing of these policies before being granted permission to
use the lab resources.
It is
not the intent of this policy to limit academic freedom in any way, but to
provide an appropriate avenue for the proper exercise of those freedoms.
POLICY
Authority
The
primary responsibility for all aspects of the operation of computer labs on
campus rests with the Director of Computing Services. The Director has the
authority to interpret this policy, all BCC IT security policies and standards,
and any directives from the state or the college administration regarding
student computing, the physical and virtual facilities used to support student
computing, and the Academic Network.
The
Computing Services Director, and/or an authorized designee, may post in any
computer lab those signs, posters, and announcements necessary to provide the
users of that lab with the information required to properly use the lab
resources, and/or to comply with the responsibilities and expectations of BCC
policies. These postings may be made through traditional print means, or by
electronic means, and may include policies, procedures, and excerpts of
policies, usage requirements and/or any other information deemed appropriate by
the Director.
Use of BCC Computer Labs
The
primary purpose of the BCC computer labs is to provide computing technology
resources for students and to facilitate the exchange of information related to,
and in furtherance of, the education, research, public service, and
administrative missions of the College. The use of BCC Computer Labs will be
consistent with all BCC policies and with the purposes and objectives of BCC and
the Community and Technical College system (see Washington State Executive Order
91-10, Sec. III [A] and RCW 42.52). BCC users will also apply this policy when
using a technology resource provided in a BCC computer lab to navigate through
networks or computing systems beyond the local system.
The goals of the BCC Computer
Labs Policy are to:
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Provide a computer lab
environment across campus that is supportive of learning.
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Help assure the integrity
and reliability of the BCC internal networks, hosts on those networks, and any
computing resource connected to them.
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Ensure the security and
privacy of the BCC computer systems and networks.
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Establish appropriate guidelines for the use of BCC-owned technology.
Authorized users of BCC
Computer Labs may:
-
Use BCC-owned computers,
programs and data at the individual’s authorized access level.
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Use BCC-provided
networking, including access to the Internet.
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Use
computing and networking facilities and resources in a manner that is
consistent with the mission and educational purpose of BCC.
Using
BCC Technology Resources for uses and/or communications that are specifically
prohibited in the BCC Acceptable Use of State Resources Policy, or which violate
any other BCC policy and/or state and federal rule or law is strictly forbidden.
Those
specifically prohibited uses of any BCC technology resource include:
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Subverting, attempting to subvert, or assisting others to subvert or breach
the security of any BCC network or technology resource, or to facilitate
unauthorized access.
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Use
of any BCC technology resource to create, disseminate or execute
self-replicating or destructive programs (e.g., viruses, worms, Trojan
horses).
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Participating in activities involving disclosure or masquerading as defined in
this policy.
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Viewing, copying, altering or destroying data, software, documentation, or
data communications belonging to BCC, or to another individual, without
permission.
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Individuals allowing another individual (authorized or not to use the BCC
technology resource) to use their login account password.
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Using
BCC computing resources for personal or private financial gain without written
authorization.
Access to Computing Labs
BCC
computer labs are open only to authorized faculty, staff, and currently enrolled
BCC students. Faculty and staff may only use BCC computer labs in furtherance
of their support of the learning objectives of BCC students. BCC computer labs
will not be used to perform duties or tasks normally performed in the employee’s
office environment.
All lab
users must agree to and abide by all BCC policies, including the Acceptable Use
of State Resources Policy, the Acceptable Use of the BCC Network and Data
Management Systems Policy, and the Acceptable Use of BCC Computers Policy.
Access
to any BCC computing lab is controlled by login and password-secured accounts
managed through the BCC Academic Network. The procedures to obtain permission
to use the computer lab resources and the Academic Network are described under
“Procedures” below.
Permission and privileges to utilize these student computing facilities may be
withdrawn for any violation of BCC IT security policies, standards and
procedures. The process provided to adjudicate the loss of these privileges is
described under “Procedures” below.
Academic Network
All
computer labs, computer classrooms, and electronic classrooms at BCC are
connected to the Academic Network. Student accounts regularly provide access to
the resources available on this network, but the accounts normally assigned to
BCC staff and faculty provide access to the BCC Administrative network only.
Login names and passwords used to access the Administrative network will not
function on the Academic (or student) network.
This
means any non-student wishing to use the computers in any electronic classroom,
computer lab or computer classroom must have an Academic network login account
created for them by Computing Services, following the processes described in the
“Procedures” section below.
Labs and Classrooms
BCC
provides four different types of computing facilities for use in supporting
student learning on campus. These policies apply equally in all these
facilities, unless exceptions are otherwise specifically stated. These
facilities are: electronic classrooms, computer classrooms, specialized
computer labs, and open computer labs.
Electronic Classrooms
Electronic classrooms on campus provide multimedia
capabilities for instruction from a single, centralized instructor station.
These rooms are scheduled for use in the same manner as any other classroom at
BCC following standard BCC policies and procedures. Requests for installation
of software on any computing resource in an electronic classroom will follow the
process described in the “Procedures” section below.
Computer Classrooms
BCC has available computer labs for use by instructors
wishing to provide hands-on technical instruction in a classroom environment.
These labs are only available for use during those times that have been
specifically scheduled. The processes for scheduling the use of available
computer classrooms and for requesting installation of software on any computing
resource in a lab are described in the “Procedures” section below.
Specialized Labs
BCC has a number of computer labs dedicated to specific
programs on campus and equipped with specialized hardware and software devoted
to supporting the program’s unique educational mission. These labs support such
varying disciplines as Physics, Music, Math and Writing, and are often assigned
to students as a part of their regular class work. These labs are staffed by
faculty and/or lab assistants who provide additional tutorial assistance within
the program’s specialty.
Use of these labs may be restricted to users taking the
specific classes supported by the facility, and/or to users who have paid a
separate, specialized lab fee. Anyone interested in using a specialized lab
resource should contact the specific lab for hours of operation and the
requirements for use. A current list of specialized labs is available on the
Academic Support Web site at:
http://ac.bcc.ctc.edu.
Open Labs
All computers in a BCC open lab will have a standard
software image containing the general productivity software used on campus. Most
of the campus specialized software applications will be installed in the lab
unless, or until, it compromises the system. Because of the expense of
licensing software, there may be limited copies of most specialized software
available. Information concerning what specific software is installed on which
specific machines in an open lab will be made available at the front counter of
that lab.
Lab Assistants
Computing Services is responsible for hiring, training, and supervising most lab
assistants. The primary exception is those lab assistants in specialized labs:
this hiring may be done either by the division primarily using that resource, or
by Computing Services in consultation with the division. Lab assistants in the
open labs are available to provide users with assistance in using the hardware
and software, but are not tutors, and are specifically prohibited from working
on student assignments. In specialized labs, assistants may perform tutorial
functions, as well as technical support functions.
Security Rights
BCC
users are granted standard security privileges, or access, to the computing
equipment in BCC computer labs sufficient to accomplish their educational
goals. Additional security privileges, if needed, can be requested from
Computing Services; individual decisions to elevate security rights will be made
by the Academic network System Administrator. The business impact of the
request will be considered and will be balanced against the potential risk and
threat to the Academic Network, using the BCC IT Security Standard on Security
Privileges as a guideline.
Sensitive Materials
All BCC
computer labs are considered shared public places. Users should be aware that
some materials accessed on the Internet may be considered controversial,
offensive, inappropriate or inaccurate. BCC asks users, out of consideration
for others, to take care not to display, or broadcast in any BCC-shared public
place, any images, sounds, or messages that could create an atmosphere of
discomfort, harassment or intimidation for others, and to refrain from
transmitting such images, sounds or messages to others using BCC computing
resources. Viewing materials which create a hostile work environment will not
be permitted. Violations of this prohibition may result in action as described
in the “Investigations” and “Sanctions” sections below.
In some
situations, the display or broadcast of such materials is necessary to further a
legitimate educational purpose. In these cases, BCC asks that users be
sensitive to the public nature of shared facilities and make arrangements to
access these materials in a private environment.
General Lab Rules
Prohibited Uses
Computing labs will only be used for legitimate academic
purposes. Food, drink, smoking, bicycles, and pets (appropriate guide-animals
are exceptions) are not permitted.
Noise
All BCC computer labs are intended to be quiet work and
study environments, similar to a library. Users are encouraged to:
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Avoid excessive noise,
keeping the level of conversational noise at a minimum.
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Turn off or set cell phones
and pagers to vibrate.
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Take cell phone conversations
outside the lab.
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Use headphones any time music
is played, either from the computer or from
personally-owned devices.
Violations of this prohibition may result in action as
described in the “Investigations” and “Sanctions” sections below.
Children in Labs
BCC Computer Labs are learning resources whose primary
audience is adults. Children under the age of 16 will not be allowed in any BCC
Computer Lab unless specific written authorization has been granted by the
Director of Computing Services. The primary exception to this is when they are
registered for an event or class. Violations of this prohibition may result in
action as described in the “Investigations” and “Sanctions” sections below.
Operating Hours
Lab hours will be posted in each lab. All users shall
complete their work, including obtaining any printouts, before closing time.
Users are not permitted to stay in the computer lab areas after closing time.
Refusal to comply may result in action as described in the “Investigations” and
“Sanctions” sections below.
Printing
Printers are provided in most BCC computer labs as a
privilege for student use only; faculty should never print in a lab. Because
printing costs are the single highest expense in maintaining the BCC computing
resources, users should exercise discretion in the use of printers in computing
labs. Most programs have print preview functions which should be used prior to
printing any final document. Print usage on the Academic Network will be
actively monitored for abuse. Those users identified as printing excessively
will be notified and asked to comply with this policy. Refusal to comply may
result in action as described in the “Investigations” and “Sanctions” sections
below.
Data Storage
Users may not store any files on the hard drives of any lab
computers without specific permission from Computing Services. Faculty may, for
a class in which the ability to store files locally is a part of the classroom
curriculum, negotiate blanket permission to do this for students enrolled in
their class. Users are encouraged to save often and to make frequent backups of
their storage media.
Bumping
All computers in an open lab are available on a first-come,
first-served basis. Users accessing software available on another open computer
may be asked by lab assistants to vacate a computer with specialized software
required by another user and to move to another computer which provides the
software they need. Furthermore, any student using any lab computer for
non-educational purposes may be bumped by a lab assistant to allow a student
needing the computer for educational purposes access. Refusal to comply may
result in action as described in the “Investigations” and “Sanctions” sections
below.
Lost/stolen Property
BCC cannot be responsible for lost or stolen items left in
any lab. Items left in the Open Lab will be sent to the Public Safety office.
Users should label all media with their name for easy identification, if
misplaced.
Aggressive Behavior
Aggressive behavior will not be tolerated in any BCC
Computer Lab. If necessary, lab assistants will report incidents that cannot be
resolved in a quiet, orderly manner to the lab manager and/or to Public Safety,
if needed. Refusal to comply may result in action as described in the
“Investigations” and “Sanctions” sections below. Problems will be escalated to
the Dean of Student Services for resolution.
Clean workspaces
For safety reasons, it is important that computer lab users
make an effort to keep aisles clear of books and backpacks. Additionally, coats
or backpacks should not be placed on computers or on tables which have been
provided as workspaces in the labs. Any materials brought into a computer lab
should be taken out when the user leaves. After classes held in computer labs,
instructors will clean any whiteboard, ensure that students have cleaned their
workspaces, and clean up any printing area.
Equipment in Labs
No equipment in any classroom lab may be moved within the
classroom or removed from a lab without permission of the Director of Computing
Services. This includes all computer hardware, including monitors, mice and
keyboards and peripheral devices, such as surge protectors or printers. No user
should disconnect any technology resources from any computer or network
connection, nor move any tables upon which computing equipment rests without
prior approval. All damaged equipment discovered in any lab should be reported
to a lab assistant, if present, or by the instructor to Computing Services in
the case of unattended labs.
Unattended Workstation Security
Users logged into a computing resource in any BCC lab who
physically leave the workstation they are using will electronically lock the
computer, if possible. Under no circumstances will users leave a computer
unattended for more than 15 minutes. Users should never leave their workstation
unattended without first saving any data upon which they are working.
If a computer in the Open Lab is left unattended for more
than 15 minutes, lab assistants may log the user off the computer to make it
available for other users. Any personal effects in the area of the computer
will be moved behind the counter for safekeeping until the owner returns.
Hacking
Unauthorized access to accounts, files or data held on BCC
computing systems, or the use of BCC computing systems and networks to access
any other system without authority is a violation of these policies and
potentially a criminal offence. Such unauthorized access is prohibited, and
will be dealt with as described in the “Investigations” and “Sanctions” sections
below.
RESPONSIBILITIES
All
users of the BCC Computer Labs have a responsibility to know, understand, and
comply with this policy, to understand their responsibilities, and to meet all
the expectations of this and all other BCC IT Security policies and standards.
These responsibilities include assumption of any civil and/or criminal liability
which may arise from their individual use or misuse of BCC technology resources.
Bellevue
Community College and its representatives also have responsibilities under this
Policy. These include the responsibilities for the Logging and Monitoring of the
network and computing systems, and for the Monitoring of Electronic Messaging
Systems as enumerated in the BCC Acceptable Use of State Resources. Additional
specific responsibilities include:
Policy Maintenance
Computing Services (CS)
The responsibility for
maintenance and administration of this policy rests with the Director of
Computing Services. CS has primary responsibility for the computer labs,
electronic classrooms, and all issues related to student technology use at BCC.
CS is responsible for drafting any updates and changes to the policies and
procedures, with input from other Information Resources units, as needed.
Information Resources (IR)
An additional responsibility for maintenance and
administration of this policy rests with the Dean of Information Resources. IR
is responsible for reviewing and approving any updates and changes to the
policies and procedures. IR may also distribute the policy for campus review
and will submit it for final approval by the College President. Once the policy
has been approved, IR will announce the new or revised policy to the campus
providing a brief description of the policy and its implications for employees
and other affected individuals or groups.
Human Resources (HR)
The Vice President of Human Resources is responsible for
reviewing any updates and changes to this policy and procedures in light of
current policies, providing input on the policy and its implications for
employees and other affected individuals or groups.
PROCEDURES
These
procedures apply to all BCC employees, students and non-employees who may be
authorized to use the BCC Computing Labs. Compliance with these procedures will
assure the integrity and reliability of these resources.
Account
Management
Creation
of accounts for the Academic Network and for the computer labs at BCC are
handled differently than are those accounts for the Administrative network.
However, the creation and use of these accounts are consistent with the
practices and policies in place on the Administrative Network.
Student Permission for Use
Network
Only students enrolled for the current quarter will be
authorized to use any BCC Academic Network resource, including computers.
Student accounts will not have sufficient privileges to access the
Administrative networking domain or Administrative computers. Security measures
on the Academic Network will ensure this separation is maintained. Therefore, a
formal written request and approval process for creating student accounts is not
required.
The specific procedure for creation of student user
login/e-mail accounts for use on the Academic network will be at the discretion
of the Academic network System Administrator, with the approval of the Director
of Computing Services.
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Accounts may be
requested by students and, when possible, processed, strictly by electronic
means.
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Computing
Services and the Academic network System Administrator will take all due care to
ensure that only authorized, registered students are allowed to create user
accounts for the Academic network.
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Student users
must be notified of, and are expected to abide by, all expectations,
responsibilities and guidelines of this policy, any other applicable BCC
policies, standards, procedures, and applicable state and federal laws and
rules.
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A student
account may not be created on the Academic network until the Academic Network
System Administrator has verified the student has read and agreed with this
policy.
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This
notification and confirmation may be in electronic format and may be done with
the use of a Web-based form requiring electronic acknowledgement by the student
when requesting an account (using the information contained in the BCC
Acceptable Use Policy Agreement Form).
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Login Banners
that must be acknowledged before use of Academic network or computing resources,
containing the same textual information, may also be used.
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Student users
will be notified of the BCC IT Security Standard on Password Management, and
will be expected to comply with its Password Security section. In addition,
they will be strongly encouraged, but not required, to comply with the Password
Selection section of the same standard.
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Accounts and
passwords of students not registered for the subsequent quarters will expire and
will be disabled at the end of the last day of the quarter during Fall, Winter
and Spring quarters.
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At the end of
the last day of Summer quarter, all student user accounts and passwords will
expire and be disabled.
Computing Services will maintain an electronically
accessible copy of this policy and any related procedures and standards on the
Academic Support Web site (http://ac.bcc.ctc.edu)
and a printed copy in the Open Lab in N250 on the main campus.
Non-network
Some computers provided for student use may not be attached
to the BCC network. These may either be set up with a generic login account, or
may require the use of an appropriate student login account, depending on a
security analysis of the purpose of the computer. If individual login accounts
are required to access these resources in order to protect these resources from
misuse and/or accidental damage, the same procedures as that for requesting
network login accounts will be followed, despite their lack of actual network
connectivity.
Employee and Non-Employee Permission for Use
Network
Before using any BCC Academic network resource, including
computer labs, BCC employees and non-employees must have signed the BCC
Acceptable Use Policy Agreement Form, as described in the Procedures section of
the Acceptable Use of the BCC Network and BCC Data Management Systems policy.
Once this has been done, the user may request an account on
the Academic Network in person at the Computing Services office, or by
submitting a request via the Web at
http://tac.bcc.ctc.edu.
Non-network
Some BCC-owned computers in labs or classrooms may not be
attached to the BCC network. However, to protect these resources from misuse
and/or accidental damage, these resources will be configured by IR technical
support personnel, or an authorized designee, to require the use of login
accounts. The same procedures for requesting network login accounts will be
followed for this type of resource despite their lack of actual network
connectivity.
Additional
Accounts
Students
Temporary login accounts may be created by the Academic
Network System Administrator for use during the first week of any quarter in a
specific classroom to allow student users a few days to acquire their personal
accounts. These accounts will be limited to the specific room, but may be used
concurrently on as many computers as are in the room. Blank passwords will not
be allowed for these accounts.
Instructors
A single, generic local instructor login account and
password may be created to provide faculty access to the computers in podiums in
the electronic classrooms and labs across campus. This account will have local
standard user access privileges only.
Software Installation and Access
System
administration, installation, upgrading and removal of software (including
plug-ins and system patches), and repair of all BCC lab computers will be done
by authorized BCC IR technical support personnel, or authorized designees
authorized. Users authorized to use the BCC Computing Labs will not install any
software applications, upgrades, patches or add-on software to any lab computer.
Violation of this prohibition will result in loss of computer lab privileges.
Software
installed in computer labs and electronic classrooms at BCC will be compliant
with all policies and procedures regarding software installations detailed in
the BCC IT Security Standard on Software Management, and with the BCC Software
Licensing Compliance Policy.
In addition:
-
BCC will not allow illegal copying of software. Any software use in BCC computing labs
which does not adhere to the BCC Software Licensing Compliance Policy is
strictly prohibited and is grounds for disciplinary action and/or criminal
prosecution. For employees, violations will be treated in accordance with
Human Resources policies and procedures; for student violations the
disciplinary policies and procedures established by the Dean of Student
Services will be followed.
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Computers in computing labs
have been configured in accordance with the academic needs of the students
using the specific facility. Tampering with the files on any fixed or network
drive, or any malicious mischief with any hardware or software, is grounds for
disciplinary action.
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Any programs, files or
documents downloaded from the Internet may not be stored or run on computer
lab machines.
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Personally-owned program
disks are not allowed in any lab. Lab assistants may ask any user to present
any disks for verification that they are indeed data disks.
Some
software which operates from CD-ROM without requiring installation may not be
pre-installed on Open Lab computers, but may instead be available for checkout
from the counter area. This software may not be used on any computers except
those in the Open Lab. Users checking out such software are required to leave
their student ID cards as collateral until they return the software. Users will
not attempt to install this software on any lab system.
Installation Requests
BCC will
provide a standard package of software applications in each computer lab.
Generally this will include at least a word processing program, a database
program, a spreadsheet program, and software with which to access the Internet,
if such access is available in the lab. Some specialized labs may not include
this generic software.
Instructors wishing to make additional software applications available to their
students for educational purposes, either in the Open Lab, in electronic
classrooms, or in computer classrooms, may request such installation.
-
Such requests may only be
made by BCC faculty or staff.
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Generally, software
installations for labs must be requested to CS at least one quarter in advance
of the required use, in order to provide BCC technical support personnel the
opportunity to test the software for functionality and for compatibility with
the installed software base on the computers for which it is intended.
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Sufficient notice prior to
expected use is required for software installations in electronic classrooms.
Instructors may request that a specific number of copies of any application be
made available for student use in the Open Lab. The Open Lab will maintain a
minimum number of installations of copies of all software applications installed
in any other classroom or lab on campus, provided a sufficient number of
licenses are available.
-
Shareware software will not
be installed in BCC Labs and/or a classroom unless the appropriate number of
licenses is purchased in compliance with the manufacturer’s licensing
agreement and the BCC IT Security Standard on Software Management.
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Demonstration and/or trial
software may be installed in a lab or classroom podium for the purpose of
demonstration only, if such installation is compliant with the software
licensing agreement. Demonstration software may not be installed on the
student computers in a lab; such use would constitute a hands-on, production
use of the software.
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Students are not permitted
to install software on any BCC-owned computer on campus unless such
installations are a pre-authorized part of curriculum.
Divisions are responsible for funding the initial purchase of any software
installed in any BCC computing lab. Computing Services will provide funding for
any subsequent upgrades from revenues from Student Technology Fees.
Lab Scheduling
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To schedule a lab for use
as a full-time classroom during the quarter, instructors should contact their
division secretaries. Division secretaries may consult with Computing
Services to resolve instructor technical needs.
-
To
schedule a lab for use during the quarter on a part-time or one-time basis,
instructors or their representatives should contact Computing Services, by
calling the Help Desk, or in person. Labs available for periodic use are
scheduled on a first-come, first served basis, so instructors should make such
requests in as timely a manner as possible. If an instructor needs software
installed for their scheduled time in these labs, a request should be made in
accordance with the “Installation Requests” section of this policy.
Lab Rentals
BCC
allows outside entities to take advantage of the excellent resources available
in its computer labs by renting available facilities when those resources are
not in use by the college. The policies, standards and procedures related to
the rental of BCC computing facilities are described in the BCC Computer
Facilities Rental Policy.
Connection of Personal Computer/Telecommunications
Equipment
BCC
users may connect personal workstations to the BCC Network for short-term use in
BCC computer labs. The processes, procedures and requirements enumerated in the
BCC IT Security Standard on Connecting Non-BCC Computer/Telecommunications
Equipment to BCC Networks must be fulfilled before this type of connection may
be made.
In
addition, wireless connectivity is available in some BCC computer labs. The
processes, procedures and requirements for making such connections to the BCC
Network are spelled out in the BCC IT Security Standard on Wireless Network
Configuration. BCC technical support personnel will provide information only
and will not support or configure non-BCC equipment.
Reporting Problems in Labs
Technical problems in a computer lab staffed by a BCC employee, such as the Open
Lab or specialized labs, should be reported to attending staff, who will ensure
the problem report is passed on to the appropriate BCC technical support
personnel. In un-staffed electronic classrooms or computer classrooms being
used by a class, any technical problems with computers should be reported to the
instructor responsible for the lab. Instructors should report technical
problems to Computing Services at
http://tac.bcc.ctc.edu.
Students do not have this access.
Power Outages/Backups/Saving
Computers cannot work without electrical power. Though every precaution has
been taken to reinforce the BCC power grid supporting the computer labs,
occasionally the campus suffers power outages without warning. If a computer
loses power, any data that is not saved will be lost. Therefore, it behooves
each user using the resources available in the BCC computer labs to save their
work frequently. It cannot be assumed that the computer or the software being
used is automatically saving data. It is better to save every 10 minutes and
risk losing 10 minutes work at most, than it is to save every 2 hours.
In
addition, magnetic digital storage media, such as floppy disks, zip disks and
even hard drives, sometimes inexplicably lose data. This can be a catastrophic
experience if a user has not sufficiently made backup copies of their data. In
addition to frequently saving their work, Computing Services encourages computer
lab users to make backup copies of any important personal data.
Physical Security
The
entrances to campus labs, offices and classrooms will be accessible to
authorized staff via key twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.
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All computer classrooms and
labs will be locked when not in use.
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The primary means of access
control to computer labs and classrooms is through the use of traditional
metal keys that are individually assigned to authorized BCC employees. Campus
Operations should be contacted if a user needs to be permanently assigned a
key to a room; issuance of such keys will follow the BCC College Keys Policy.
If a user needs to check a key out for short-term use, the key may be acquired
through Campus Operations or their designee.
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Coded key-pads may also be
used to limit access to certain computer classrooms and labs. Key code
records will be maintained by Campus Operations.
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All
use of BCC computer labs must be supervised by authorized lab staff, teaching
assistants and/or faculty. Instructors scheduling the use of a lab must be
present at all times while their classes are using the facilities.
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Exception: As
described in the section entitled “Labs and Classrooms” above, certain
specialized labs are designated for the use of students enrolled in specific
courses and curriculum. Some of these labs, located in the NWCET building,
house computers with very specialized software installed. Because these
classrooms are in the same building as the Open Lab, unsupervised access to
these labs is available under the following circumstances:
-
A
list of classrooms available use, the programs supported, and currently
authorized students is available each quarter at the desk in the Open Lab
(N250).
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Students must be currently enrolled in the program the particular
classroom/lab supports. For instance, the Media students can use the
Media labs and students in an IT related program can use the IT labs.
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The classroom/lab may only be used when it is not in use by a scheduled
class and only during Open Lab business hours.
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An authorized student desiring to use an N-building classroom/lab must
sign-in at the desk in the Open Lab and leave their current BCC Student
Identification Card. The labs cannot be used without a valid BCC Student
ID card. An electronic method of sign-in may be used.
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Open Lab personnel will unlock the room and let the student in the
classroom/lab, locking the door afterward. It is strictly against this
policy for any student to allow any other student into the classroom/lab;
all access will be processed through the Open Lab.
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When finished using the classroom, the student will return to the Open Lab
to sign out and retrieve any student ID.
Logging and Monitoring
All
individuals using the computer systems and network in the BCC computer labs,
classrooms and electronic classrooms are subject to having their activities
monitored and recorded. In the course of monitoring individuals who are
improperly using this system, or in the course of system maintenance, the
activities of authorized users may also be monitored. Use of the systems will be
considered express consent by the individual to such monitoring. If such
monitoring reveals possible evidence of inappropriate activity, system personnel
may provide the evidence to BCC management and law enforcement officials.
BCC
Information Resources (IR) personnel authorized by the BCC IT Security
Administrator or his/her designee will actively scan the BCC Network and all
BCC-owned computers to ensure compliance with this policy.
Investigations
BCC
reserves the right to act when an individual misuses any BCC technology
resource. Any complaint, either from inside or outside BCC, arising from a
user’s activities in a BCC Computer Lab may be cause for immediate suspension of
computing privileges pending an investigation.
Because
all BCC computer labs are networked through the BCC Academic Network, the System
Administrator for the BCC Academic network, or any other individual authorized
by the Dean of Information Resources, is allowed to inspect, copy, remove, or
otherwise alter any data, file, or system resource which may undermine the
authorized use of any BCC computer lab, the Academic network, or the
Administrative Network, and may exercise any other rights necessary to protect
BCC computing facilities.
BCC
accepts no liability for interference with, or loss of, any files, programs or
data belonging to any user resulting from efforts to maintain the privacy and
security of its computing facilities.
If the
purpose is related to an investigation of a suspected illegal act or violation
of BCC Policy, the System Administrator, or his/her designee, may gather the
specific materials with or without notification to the user.
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Materials so accessed may
either be copied or removed from BCC systems.
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Copies of all materials
related to the investigation will be retained by the System Administrator.
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Any individual’s network
use privileges on the Academic network may be suspended or reduced immediately
upon the discovery of a possible violation of this policy. Every attempt will
be made to notify the individual immediately of this suspension, unless to do
so would jeopardize any on-going investigation. These privileges may be
temporarily restored at the discretion of the Director of Computing Services
pending resolution of the situation.
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Such suspected violations
will be confidentially reported to the appropriate administrators.
-
Appropriate disciplinary
action will take place under the direction of the Dean of Student Services in
situations where a violation is confirmed.
-
If the student is cleared
of any wrong-doing at the conclusion of the investigation, his/her privileges
will be restored and he/she will be given the opportunity to change their
password, if desired.
Sanctions
The
policies which have been put into place to govern the use of BCC Computing Labs
are serious matters. Those users who violate this policy, who misuse or abuse
any computing or network facility, or who commit any prohibited act described in
the BCC Student Code may have their login accounts closed and access to the
systems immediately terminated. Among others, prohibited acts likely to occur
in a computer lab include:
-
Entering any locked or
otherwise closed college facility without permission.
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Intentional or negligent
damage to any college facility or other public or private real or personal
property.
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Failure
to comply with the directions of college officials acting in the performance
of their duties.
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Engaging in disorderly or
abusive behavior which interferes with the rights of others, or which
obstructs or disrupts teaching, research, or administrative functions.
Such
violations may result in the individual being asked to leave the computing
facility and/or an immediate response from Public Safety. These violations will
be dealt with in the same manner as violations of other College policies, and
may result in disciplinary review as described in the BCC Student Code. In such
a review, the full range of disciplinary sanctions is available, including:
-
Permanent loss of computer
use privileges;
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Disciplinary action – any
disciplinary action will be taken in accordance with appropriate procedures as
established by the Vice President of Human Resources (for employees) or the
Dean of Student Services (for students);
-
Dismissal from the college;
and/or
-
Legal action.
Some
violations of this policy may also constitute a state, local or federal criminal
offense.
|
DEFINITIONS
All
terms defined in the Acceptable Use of State Resources Policy are applicable
in this policy. In addition, the following are defined: |
|
Software |
Unless otherwise stated, “software” refers to and includes all freeware,
shareware, and third-party products, as well as commercially acquired
products. |
|
BCC Network |
This
includes the Administrative and Academic Local Area Networks (LAN), the Wide
Area Networks (WAN) supporting sites separated from the main BCC campus,
Internet connectivity, networked infrastructure devices such as hubs,
switches and servers, CTC-Net, and all other computers, networks and
Electronic Messaging Systems operated for the benefit of BCC employees and
students. |
|
BCC Technology Resources |
Includes, but is not limited to, BCC-owned desktop, laptop or mainframe
computer hardware or software; software licenses; workstations; data
systems; personal digital assistants; electronic messaging systems; E-mail
systems; pagers; telephones—both wired and cellular; SCAN services; voice
mail systems; fax machines; BCC network resources, whether wire-based or
wireless; Internet connections, accounts or access; and documentation
photocopiers authorized by BCC to be used by employees, students and/or
other campus users. |
|
Disclosure |
This
occurs when an unauthorized user gains access to information. Disclosure
often occurs when messages are forwarded to unauthorized users. |
|
Masquerading |
This
is when a user presents him/herself to the system as another user. This may
be done in order to gain unauthorized access to information or resources, to
disseminate (mis)information in another’s name, or to block or deny a system
from operating correctly. |
|
Unauthorized Access |
Includes gaining access to accounts, resources, messages or files to which
one is not granted privilege by the owner or sender. |
|