Pillsbury Hall Computer Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)

All of Pillsbury Hall | Specific to 206 Lab |
(last updated: 4/8/08)

All users of computers within Pillsbury Hall must be aware of and comply with the Acceptable Use Policy for the University of Minnesota, especially the User's Rights and Responsibilities, which includes concerns related to security, privacy, legal issues and consequences of violations.

Before any computer is put onto the University Networks, it must be security hardened. This means applying security patches, tweaking software, and plenty of other things. So if you buy a new computer, let System Administrator know, and DO NOT plug it into the U. Network before he has had a chance to OK it. This applies to everyone: faculty, staff, students and visitors. Virus protection is also required for all computers connected to the U. network.

In order to use the facilities in Pillsbury Lab 206, the user must read and understand the following document.

Most of the following information is taken from Appendix A of the University's AUP:

Use of IDs and Passwords

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Do not share the account name or password assigned to you.
  • Select an obscure password and change it frequently.
  • Understand that you are responsible for all activities on your username/account ID.
  • Ensure that others cannot learn your password.
    • The easiest way for others to learn your password is if you write it down and leave it near your computer, i.e. taped to the underside of the keyboard or the monitor.
    • If you have to write it down, don't write down the actual password, but instead write down a non-obvious memory prompt, from which no one else would be able to guess the password.
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    If you have reason to believe that your username/account ID or password has been compromised, contact your System/Network Administrator immediately.
    • Use of Information/Data
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    Access only accounts, files, and data that are your own, that are publicly available, or to which you have been given authorized access. Secure information that is in your possession.
    Note: in Pillsbury 206, the Shared workspaces on which files are saved for both the Macs and PC's are not considered public. If you have not been given permission to access files placed there by someone else, accessing them is not allowed under the AUP and violations can be acted on.
  • Maintain the confidentiality of information classified as private, confidential or data on decedents.
  • Never disclose information to which you have access, but for which you do not have ownership, authority, or permission to disclose. Keep your personal information/data current.
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    Keep in mind that security is never perfect. Never send information through e-mail or place information onto the internet or onto the network that you are not comfortable having other people read or access.
    • Use of Software and Hardware
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    All computers which are connected to the network in Pillsbury Hall must have virus protection installed.
    The University has a site-license for Symantec antivirus, but other products are acceptable and in some cases necessary.
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    Use University e-mail, computers, and networks only for legal, authorized purposes. Unauthorized or illegal uses include but are not limited to:
    • Harassment;
    • Destruction of or damage to equipment, software, or data belonging to others;
    • Unauthorized copying of copyrighted materials; or
    • Conducting private business unrelated to University activities.
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    Never engage in any activity that might be harmful to systems or to any information/data stored thereon, such as:
    • Creating or propagating viruses;
    • Disrupting services or damaging files; or
    • Making unauthorized or non-approved changes
  • When vacating computer workstations, sign-off or secure the system from unauthorized use.
  • Use only legal versions of copyrighted software on University of Minnesota owned computer or network resources, in compliance with vendor license requirements.
  • Be aware of any conditions attached to or affecting the provision of University technology services:
    • Consult with the system administrator for any questions about system workload or performance.
    • Refrain from monopolizing systems, overloading systems or networks with excessive data, or wasting computer time, connect time, disk space, printer paper, manuals, or other resources.
    • For situations not covered here, contact your system/network administrator or departmental computer contact, or see below.

    206 Computer Lab Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)

    In order to efficiently use limited resources, access priorities must be maintained:

    Access Priorities:

    1. Class or other group reservations for instructional purposes.
      To Reserve the Lab: Notify the system administrator with the class number, time, instructor, and number of computers to be used. This is to prevent conflicts and allow other users to schedule around classes. The reservation will then be posted on the compter lab door.
    2. Individual students working on course assignments.
    3. Faculty or staff doing work supporting instructional use of the facilities.
    4. Users for research or related work.
    5. E-mail, internet (unrelated to research).
    **Some computers have specialized software or hardware (scanners, high end imaging or graphing software, etc.) Those machines are prioritized for the use of the specialized equipment. Those needing the equipment are authorized to boot off anyone using the machine for other purposes, except during a class.

    **If the lab is at capacity for authorized use (students working on school work or faculty/staff working on instructional needs), there will be a two-hour time limit on the machines.

    Use computer facility hardware and software appropriately. Violations include but are not limited to:

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    Denying access to Windows machines through leaving yourself logged in with a password-protected screensaver. Using password-protected screensavers may result in lost data due to a reboot to reclaim control of the machine.
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    Printing on other users printing accounts.
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    Providing the door code to, or allowing in, non-authorized users to the lab.
    • I realize there is some use of the lab by dependents of authorized users.
    • This is OK under very limited circumstances.
    • The authorized user is fully responsible for all actions taken by their dependents, therefore the user is responsible for having their dependents read and understand this document. And the dependents should understand that the user can lose their lab privileges for actions taken by the dependents.
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    Disconnecting, reconnecting or reconfiguring hardware.
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    Copying software that is copyrighted or otherwise restricted.
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    Using the CDwriter or other media writer to copy software, music or other copyrighted media.
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    Damaging or removing any property from the facility.
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    Installing unapproved software. Please contact the Lab Manager about installing software. Unapproved software will be summarily uninstalled.
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    Removing, changing or reconfiguring files on facility disks including hard drives.
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    Using software that interferes with facility operations (e.g., games or viruses that debilitate or crash individual machines or networks).
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    Using software that interferes with other facility users (e.g., emits loud or obnoxious sounds) or which is used to capture information from them (e.g., keystroke capture software), or is specifically banned by the University of Minnesota, specifically Napster and similar software. See here for more information: http://www.geo.umn.edu/dept/computer/napster.txt
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    Using software whose intent is to scan for vulnerabilities or gain unauthorized access to computers.

    Abide by these rules, procedures and protocols:

    • Pillsbury is a non-smoking facility. This includes the computer lab.
    • Respond appropriately to requests made by the lab manager (eg., a request to move to another machine or to delay printing due to a class being held in the facility) in the normal course of carrying out job responsibilities.
    • Refrain from the generation, display or printing of offensive material as covered by the University's policy on equal opportunity and non-discrimination, including sexually or racially offensive or harassing materials.
    • Refrain from disruptive, threatening or abusive language or behavior.
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    Eating food in the lab is prohibited. Beverages are allowed, but clean up any spills immediately.
  • Use headphones to listen to music or broadcasts on the computers.
  • Respect that the lab is a working space, and that people are concentrating. If not engaged in a class, please use some common courtesy with regard to noise. If someone asks you to quiet down, do so.

    Penalties
    Violations of the above rules may constitute violations of state and/or federal laws as well as of the Student Conduct Code and will be prosecuted in any applicable venue(s). In addition, violations may result in immediate suspension or denial of facility use privileges.

    If you fail to pay printing or other required fees, a hold may be placed on your record, and you may be denied access to the facilities.

    Department of Geology and Geophysics Computer Acceptable Use Policy