University of Minnesota Athletics
Computer Labs
7/6/2006 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Computer Labs
McNamara Academic Center Computer Lab Policies
The McNamara Academic Center (MAC) Computer Labs should be considered a privilege, not a right. Students will be held accountable for their behavior, including appropriate use of these resources. Therefore, access to these services may be suspended and/or restored at the discretion of the Director of the MAC.MAC staff are charged with providing and maintaining congenial learning environments for all student-athletes. If you behavior is disruptive or violates MAC policies, you will be given one warning. Failure to modify the behavior or adhere to policy will result in your eing asked to leave. If that occurs, your coach and academic counselor will be notified. A second occurrence of the same offense may result in loss of privileges in certain areas.
- No food or drink (including water) is allowed in the computer labs.
- Please turn cell phones and pagers to off or to "vibrate". Please step out of the learning area to make or take calls.
- Headphones are allowed as long as music cannot be heard by others.
- All students must check-in at the desk in each area using their U-Card. Policies apply to all students using MAC facilities, not just to those "signed in" for recording purposes.
- MAC areas are for studying. Visiting, sleeping, reading newspapers, etc. is not studying. Students will be allowed reasonable breaks, a few moments to say hello to others quietly and settle in, etc. However, those obviously not studying will be asked once to begin work or leave. Please respect your fellow student-athletes.
For computer lab hours please see the Hours and Facilities page.
Public Computing Facilities
Information on the University of Minnesota public labs can be found at www.publabs.umn.edu.
MAC Computing Ethics PolicyComputers, networks, and electronic information systems are essential resources for all educational and academic pursuits at the University of Minnesota. Access to MAC's systems will not be denied to any user without cause. It is the responsibility of all MAC computer users to use computer technology and electronic information resources in an effective, efficient, ethical, responsible and lawful manner. This MAC Computing Ethics Policy applies to all users of MAC systems, including students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
All MAC users have the right to privacy in computer files, data, and network communications. All files and all data belong to somebody. It is up to the owner to determine whether a file should be private or public. Gaining access to private files without the owner's permission is a violation of this policy. It is the responsibility of MAC to take reasonable security measures to protect confidential files and information, and it is the responsibility of each user not to subvert those security measures. Users are responsible for keeping their passwords secure and private, for taking reasonable security measure to protect their own accounts, and for maintaining protection on files.
MAC computing resources may only be used in a manner that is consistent with the instructional, administrative, research and outreach objectives of the University of Minnesota. All use of MAC's networked computers must comply with Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources Policy. This policy includes the following requirements:
- Irresponsible uses which cause network congestion, such as chain letters and transmission of large files, are not permitted.
- Users must avoid interfering with the work of other network users, disrupting network services, spreading viruses, or interfering with normal operation of systems on the network.
- The network is not to be used for commercial purposes, such as marketing, advertising, or business transactions between commercial organizations. Private, for profit activity is not acceptable use of MAC's network and systems.
MAC computing users have the constitutional right to freedom of speech in electronic communications. However, all users bear responsibility for the content and consequences of their own communications. Federal, state, and local laws apply to all electronic interactions and publicly-presented online information, whether local to the University of Minnesota or disseminated to one or more distant users via the Internet. Among the most important of these are laws prohibiting:
- harassment, verbal assault, threats, slander, libel, and sexual harassment;
- address forging and delivery of anonymous messages with intent to harass or defraud; - unauthorized access to systems;
- software piracy, copyright and trademark violation, and any unauthorized use of programs, databases, and privately-owned files; and
- distribution or presentation of materials deemed by community standards to be obscene.
MAC's World-Wide-Web site and other institutional information systems are considered to be University publications and so are governed by more restrictive University policies on content. Unrestricted access to place material on these systems is not a guaranteed right for any MAC user.
MAC is the administrative unit in charge of setting specific usage policies and guidelines for these computing labs under the scope of this overall MAC Computing Ethics Policy. MAC has the responsibility to create and disseminate enforceable rules, to manage and monitor system use, to investigate problems, and to respond to violations. During investigation of a potential violation, MAC has the right to temporarily restrict a user's access to systems. Permanent revocation of access requires the involvement of appropriate MAC personnel and disciplinary procedures, and will be contemplated for serious violations.
A person in violation of this policy may be subject to administrative action, supervisory review, and/or Student Behavior Committee action. Such actions may result in penalties including reprimand, fines, restitution for services used, or loss of system access, depending on the severity and frequency of the offense. Some actions covered by this policy are also covered by University of Minnesota regulations or all-University policies, violation of which can lead to academic judicial proceedings. In addition, some actions discussed in this policy are also covered by Federal, state, or local law, and violations may lead to civil or criminal prosecution.
